Eye Friendly Cosmetics
What you put near your Eyes
Matters more than ever
Eye Friendly Rating™ (EFR)
What is EFR?
The Eye Friendly Rating™ (EFR) is Eyehouse’s simple, unique 3-tier system to help you quickly understand how kind a product is to the ocular surface and surrounding skin.
Why have EFR?
For a decade I was tired of managing my allergies, dry eyes, blepharitis, and sensitive skin.
In my career, I’ve tested over 100,000 pairs of eyes. 25% of my female patients shared similar problems -their face wash, creams, or makeup would trigger irritation or dryness.
The EFR was created to empower you with clearer, evidence-aligned information when choosing cosmetics that sit close to your eyes.
The EFR is not a medical diagnosis tool, but a clear guide to help you make informed choices based on current ocular surface science.
Why It Matters
- Essential oils, fragrances, surfactants, and loose powders can destabilise the tear film.
- Powders easily migrate into the eyes via the lash-line.
- Volatile compounds and fragrances increase irritation for sensitive users.
- Certain waxes can block meibomian glands.
Did you know?
With every blink, your eyelid has a “conveyor belt effect,” moving particles toward the eye.
With every blink, your eyelid has a “conveyor belt effect,” moving particles toward the eye.
Real Stories, Real Relief
Emma, 42, suffered from dry, red eyes for two years. Her mascara contained dimethicone & carnauba wax. Switching to a Silver-rated mascara changed her life.
⭐ Eye Friendly Rating™ (EFR)
Criteria (Updated 12 Dec 2025)
Why We Moved From a 3-Tier System to a 2-Tier System
Why We Moved From a 3-Tier to a 2-Tier System
As new TFOS research emerged, it became clear that two groups of ingredients matter most when we assess eye safety:
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Ingredients that directly irritate the ocular surface
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Ingredients that may influence the skin or endocrine system, especially around the eyes
With this clearer evidence base, the old Bronze-Silver-Gold structure no longer made sense. We're removing the confusion.
Here it is: simplified.
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Silver now represents formulas that are almost fully TFOS-aligned - meaning they avoid the ingredient groups linked with tear-film disruption and ocular surface irritation.
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Gold goes a step further. Gold is for people who want TFOS alignment plus avoidance of petrochemical-derived ingredients and natural fragrances-which are increasingly discussed in dermatology and endocrine-health research.
This 2-tier system is easier to understand, easier to compare, and better reflects what the science is showing about both eye health and whole body wellness.
🥈 SILVER: Fully TFOS-Aligned
Silver represents formulas that follow the TFOS Lifestyle & Cosmetics guidance, avoiding ingredients known to destabilise the tear film or irritate the ocular surface.
- No parabens
- No phenoxyethanol
- No chlorphenesin
- No formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
- No PEGs or ethoxylated compounds
- No silicones
- No essential oils
- No synthetic fragrance
- No occlusive waxes
- No VOCs
- No harsh surfactants or emulsifiers
- No pigments or particles likely to migrate to the tear film
Natural fragrance is allowed, and supportive skin actives may be included. Suitable around the eye area, though those with very sensitive lids may still prefer to avoid use directly along the lid margin.
🥇 GOLD: TFOS-Aligned
+ No Natural Fragrance + No Petrochemicals
Gold is the highest Eyehouse standard, created for those who want the lowest-irritation, cleanest possible formulas around the eye area.
Gold includes all Silver exclusions, and adds only three further criteria:
- No phthalates (endocrine disruptors)
- No natural fragrance (no essential oils, botanical scent extracts, or aromatic isolates - skin irritants)
- No petrochemical-derived ingredients (e.g. polysorbates, mineral oil, paraffin, acrylates, dimethicone, PEG derivatives - endocrine disruptors)
This tier represents the most eye-conscious formulations available - ideal for sensitive users and those wanting to minimise risk to the ocular surface and lid margin.
Ingredient Transparency Matters
All EFR ratings rely solely on publicly listed ingredients. Concentration levels are not disclosed by manufacturers, so the EFR reflects the presence or absence of known irritant classes rather than potency.
Petrochemical-Derived Ingredients: Why They Matter
Many common ingredients in cosmetics and even eye drops are derived from petroleum (crude oil). These petrochemical-based ingredients are widely used because they can be effective and inexpensive. Health authorities generally consider them safe for use when properly refined, but some people – especially those with very sensitive skin or eyes, or who prefer “natural” products – may choose to avoid them. Petroleum is also a non-renewable resource, so environmentally conscious consumers often seek plant-based alternatives.
Our promise: When a brand confirms that none of its ingredients are petroleum-derived, we highlight this in the EFR (our product rating system) to help you easily identify such products. This is part of our commitment to transparency for ingredient-conscious users.
Common Petrochemical Ingredients
Below is a list of some common ingredients in cosmetics and eye-care products that are petrochemical-derived. We indicate whether they are always from petroleum sources or if plant-derived versions might exist (though not commonly used):
| Ingredient | Petrochemical Origin |
|---|---|
| Mineral Oil / Petrolatum (e.g. Vaseline) | Always petrochemical – a byproduct of refining crude oil. |
| Paraffin Wax | Always petrochemical – derived from petroleum or shale oil (a wax fraction from crude oil). |
| Propylene Glycol* | Often petrochemical – usually made from petroleum or natural gas, though plant-based versions do exist. |
| Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) (PEG-X) | Always petrochemical – synthetic polymers made from petroleum-derived ethylene oxide. |
| Polysorbates 20/60/80 | Often petrochemical – created by reacting sorbitol (often plant-based) with ethylene oxide (petroleum-derived). |
| Dimethicone (silicone oil) | Always petrochemical – a man-made silicone polymer made from silica plus fossil-based chemicals; there is no naturally occurring version. |
| Cyclopentasiloxane (silicone) | Always petrochemical – another synthetic silicone fluid, not found in nature and produced chemically. |
| Isopropyl Myristate | Often petrochemical – an ester of isopropyl alcohol (petroleum-derived) and myristic acid (from plant or animal fats). |
| Ethylhexyl Palmitate (Octyl Palmitate) | Often petrochemical – an ester of 2-ethylhexanol (petroleum-derived) and palmitic acid (often from palm or coconut oil). |
| Synthetic Fragrance | Usually petrochemical – most synthetic fragrance compounds are derived from petrochemicals (as solvents or aroma chemicals). |
| Poloxamers (e.g. Poloxamer 407) | Always petrochemical – synthetic block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (both petro-derived). |
| Caprylyl Glycol | Often petrochemical – typically produced by chemical synthesis, though it can also be sourced from coconut components. |
| Acrylates Copolymer (plastic-based thickener) | Always petrochemical – a synthetic acrylic polymer (essentially a microplastic) derived from petrochemical monomers. |
| TEA / DEA (Triethanolamine / Diethanolamine) | Always petrochemical – produced by reacting ammonia with ethylene oxide (from petroleum). |
| Butylene Glycol* | Often petrochemical – usually made from petrochemical acetaldehyde, though it can also be fermented from plant sugars. |
Note: Ingredients marked “Often petrochemical” can sometimes be made from plant-based feedstocks, but these natural versions are less common due to higher cost. For example, companies can produce propylene glycol or butylene glycol from corn or vegetable glycerin, but most products still use the petroleum-derived kind. Likewise, the majority of synthetic fragrance chemicals used in the market are petro-derived, whereas “natural fragrance” would come from plant essential oils.
Even many eye drops and ointments contain petroleum-based ingredients. For instance, some dry-eye lubricating drops and ointments use mineral oil or white petrolatum as emollients, and include surfactants like Polysorbate 80 to help oils mix with water. We provide this information so you can make an informed choice. If you prefer to avoid petrochemical-derived ingredients, look for products or brands that use plant-derived alternatives – and watch for our EFR highlight indicating no petrochemical ingredients.
What to watch out for
- Mascaras: Avoid waterproof formulas, parabens, PFAs, PEGs, Polyquaternium-15.
- Eyeliners: Avoid silicones, heavy metals, mica near waterline.
- Eyeshadows: Loose powders cause physical irritation.
- Removers: Avoid oils and fragrances.
- Brow Products: Avoid lanolin, fragrance, silicones.
Key Irritants to Avoid (TFOS)
- Essential oils
- PEGs
- Parabens
- PFA/PFOA compounds
- Polyquaternium-15
- Formaldehyde releasers
- Mica
- Silicones
- Lanolin derivatives
- Fragrances
- Carbon Black
- Occlusive waxes
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.