What you put near your Eyes Matters more than ever

What is EFR?

The Eye Friendly Rating (EFR) is Eyehouse’s simple, unique 3-tier system to help you, our lovely audience, quickly understand how kind a product is to the ocular surface and surrounding skin.

Why have EFR?

You might be wondering, why would a guy care so much about cosmetics?

Fair question.

For a decade I was tired of managing my allergies, dry eyes, blepharitis, and sensitive skin. No matter what products I tried, nothing seemed just right for me.

You see, in my career, I’ve tested over 100,000 pairs of eyes. Surprisingly, 25% of my female patients shared - not the same - but a similar problem, their face wash, creams, or makeup would trigger irritation, dryness, or redness of their eyes or skin. Many simply gave up on makeup altogether.

What really bothered me was that you still wanted to feel confident and wear makeup, but there was no solution that health practitioners could offer. Sadly, the truth is there wasn't enough research done in this area to give better advice other than to stop wearing makeup.

That’s why I’m so passionate about this topic. It’s not just about cosmetics - it’s about helping you feel confident and assured in your choices.

Thanks to Research, we have growing evidence showing how cosmetics affect the eyes and skin - In many cases killing our Meibomian glands, necessary to keep our eyes from drying out.

It’s therefore critical to rethink our everyday eye and face products.

The Eye Friendly Rating (EFR) came about after I spent countless hours talking to specialists from all over the world and studying hundreds of pages of research, including all 3 TFOS studies.

Through my experience in practice, learning from leaders in the field, and, most importantly, listening to real patients and their struggles, I realised there was a gap. People wanted clarity and guidance on what was truly safe for their eyes, especially around sensitive areas.

So, I pulled all that knowledge together to create the ECR.

It’s important to say: I’m not giving medical advice, and the ECR isn’t meant to replace professional care. It’s simply a tool to help you make more informed choices for your eye health and peace of mind.

Why It Matters

Studies from leaders like Professor James Wolffsohn, David A. Sullivan, Victor Perez Quinones, Jennifer P. Craig, Amy Sullivan, Laura E. Downie and other TFOS pioneers show how even natural ingredients like essential oils can disrupt the delicate tear film. Powders from eyeshadows and setting sprays often fall onto the ocular surface, irritating and destabilising the tear film, leading to symptoms like dryness, grittiness, and blurred vision.

We see this in clinic every day. Patients unknowingly worsen their dry eye symptoms just by using their usual mascara or eyeliner.

Real Stories, Real Relief

Emma, 42, a graphic designer, battled dry, red eyes for over two years despite trying drops, compresses, and diet changes. During her exam, I found her meibomian glands were blocked and cleared them. Four months later, they’d blocked again.

Digging deeper, I checked her makeup and discovered dimethicone and beeswax in her mascara. We switched her to products with a Premium EFR rating.

Four months later, Emma’s symptoms had dramatically improved. Her glands were open, her meibum quality was excellent, and her eyes stayed white and comfortable all day.

Sometimes, relief lies in the everyday choices we make.

What to watch out for:

• Mascaras: Avoid waterproof formulas, parabens, PFAs, PEGs, Polyquaternium-15, formaldehyde releasers, carbon black, and essential oils.
• Eyeliners: Steer clear of silicones, heavy metals, and shimmer ingredients like mica near the waterline.
• Eyeshadows: Loose powders are the biggest offenders. Mica and talc can settle onto the eye surface and increase friction, contributing to dry eye.
• Makeup Removers: Oils and fragrances, even natural ones like lavender, can sting and leave residue. Use ophthalmologist-approved, oil-free removers instead.
• Brow Products & Primers: Watch for lanolin derivatives, synthetic fragrances, silicones, and alcohols which can inflame sensitive eyelid skin.

Key Irritants to Avoid (from TFOS Experts):

• Essential Oils (e.g., lavender, tea tree): Can trigger allergies and destabilize tear film.
• PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols): Linked to oxidative stress on ocular cells.
• Parabens: Preservatives that may affect hormonal balance and trigger sensitivity.
• PFA/PFOA Compounds: Found in long-wear makeup, linked to systemic and ocular inflammation.
• Polyquaternium-15: Formaldehyde-releasing preservative, toxic to ocular cells.
• Formaldehyde Releasers (e.g., DMDM Hydantoin): Cause chronic irritation and allergies.
• Mica: Particle fallout leads to physical irritation on corneal surface.
• Silicones: Trap other irritants and may interfere with lid hygiene.
• Lanolin Derivatives: Common allergen that can clog lash follicles.
• Fragrance (synthetic and natural): Major cause of contact dermatitis around the eyes.
• Carbon Black: Used in black pigments, linked to inflammatory reactions.
• Beeswax (near lid margins): Can block meibomian glands, worsening dry eye.