Daily cosmetic and personal care products can cause serious eye damage. According to new research presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), thousands of people visit emergency rooms (ER) each year with eye injuries caused by hot curling or straightening tools, facial sprays, eyelash glue, nail care products, and eye makeup.
Cosmetic products may seem low-risk at first glance because they are items of daily use. However, when they come into contact with the eye—especially through chemical exposure or contact with extremely hot devices—they can cause severe injuries.
Key Findings and Statistics
Researchers analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) spanning from 2005 to 2024. The results showed that nearly 42,500 people in the US visited emergency departments for cosmetic product-related eye trauma during this period. Women and girls accounted for 82% of the cases (4 out of 5). The average patient age was 24, although children aged 4 and under made up nearly a quarter of all cases.
Scientists also identified that the nature of the injuries varied sharply by age:
In the under-18 age group, chemical burns accounted for 46% of eye injuries (compared to less than 1% in adults), with 83% of reported chemical burns linked to children’s contact with cosmetic products. These included skincare products and perfumes (40%), nail care products (22%), and sprays and shampoos (22%). Among children aged 4 and under, 70% of cases were related to unsupervised access to products.
In adults, lacerations, contusions, and superficial injuries accounted for 56% of eye injuries. Thermal burns—described in the source as heat-related eye damage—made up 22% of cases.
According to the study’s lead author, Aatif Syed, these findings highlight the need for safe storage and proper use of cosmetics and personal care items. For young children, this means keeping products (especially liquids and sprays) out of reach, while for teens and adults, it means exercising caution around hot hair styling tools and personal care items.
