Ingredients Toxic to Eyes
Eye Irritants Ingredient Glossary
At Peep Club we proudly do not formulate with any of the ingredients that are irritating or toxic to eyes as identified by the TFOS DEWS II study (conducted by the leading eye experts in the US).
Here is a list of the main toxic ingredients and why we will never formulate with them:
Preservatives
Benzalkonium chloride (BAK)
Rating: BAD
Why: Toxic and pro-inflammatory on the ocular surface, destabilises the tear film and worsens dry eye signs and symptoms
Where: Multi-dose eye drops, older artificial tears, some makeup removers
Phenoxyethanol
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Potential ocular irritant at higher concentrations or with prolonged exposure
Where: Makeup removers, micellar waters, cosmetics
Polyquaternium-1 (Polyquad)
Rating: OK
Why: Larger quaternary ammonium compound, minimal corneal epithelial toxicity at typical 0.001 percent use level in vitro
Where: Multi-dose artificial tears, contact lens solutions
Stabilised oxychloro complex (Purite)
Rating: OK
Why: Breaks down to benign components on the eye, considered less damaging than older preservatives
Where: Some newer artificial tears
Sodium perborate
Rating: OK
Why: Converts to oxygen and water on contact, lower residual toxicity compared with older options
Where: Some artificial tears
EDTA (disodium EDTA)
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Chelator used to protect multi-dose formulas, may irritate compromised ocular surfaces at higher exposure
Where: Ophthalmic solutions, some cosmetics
Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben)
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Sensitisation possible in susceptible users, periocular irritation reported in practice
Where: Skincare, mascaras, cleansers, removers
Chlorobutanol
Rating: BAD
Why: Epithelial irritation reported with frequent or long-term exposure in older formulations
Where: Legacy ophthalmic drops, some older comfort drops
Thimerosal
Rating: BAD
Why: Mercury-containing preservative, strong sensitiser and irritant around the eye
Where: Historical contact lens and ophthalmic solutions
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15)
Rating: BAD
Why: Release formaldehyde, strong sensitisers with ocular and periocular irritation risk
Where: Shampoos, wipes, cleansers, some skincare
Isothiazolinones (methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone)
Rating: BAD
Why: Potent sensitisers, linked to periocular dermatitis and irritation
Where: Wipes, cleansers, shampoos, some cosmetics
Benzyl alcohol
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Preservative-solvent that can sting and irritate at higher levels
Where: Cosmetics, some pharmaceutical drops
Benzethonium chloride
Rating: BAD
Why: Quaternary ammonium compound with irritant potential on the ocular surface
Where: Sanitisers, some cosmetic formulas
Alcohol/ Solvent
Ethanol (alcohol denat.)
Rating: BAD
Why: Volatile solvent, stings, disrupts tear film stability
Where: Toners, setting sprays, micellar waters
Isopropyl alcohol
Rating: BAD
Why: Strong irritant, desiccating, destabilises tear film
Where: Cleansers, removers near lash line
SD Alcohol 40-B
Rating: BAD
Why: Volatile, increases ocular surface irritation risk
Where: Makeup setting sprays, toners
Solvent/Humectant
Propylene glycol
Rating: OK with caution
Why: May sting and irritate sensitive eyes at higher levels
Where: Makeup removers, primers
Butylene glycol
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Potential ocular stinging in some users
Where: Primers, removers
Ethoxydiglycol
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Irritant if it migrates onto ocular surface
Where: Liners, mascaras, removers
Fragrance
Fragrance/Parfum (unspecified mix)
Rating: BAD
Why: Common sensitiser, ocular and periocular irritant
Where: Eye creams, serums, skincare, colour cosmetics
Limonene
Rating: BAD
Why: Fragrance allergen, irritant potential near eyes
Where: Skincare, cosmetics
Linalool
Rating: BAD
Why: Fragrance allergen causing periocular dermatitis
Where: Skincare, cosmetics
Eugenol
Rating: BAD
Why: Allergen and irritant, can trigger ocular surface symptoms
Where: Fragranced cosmetics
Citral
Rating: BAD
Why: Fragrance allergen, ocular irritation risk
Where: Fragranced cosmetics
Surfactant
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Rating: BAD
Why: Detergent effect strips lipid layer, irritant to ocular surface
Where: Foaming cleansers, lash shampoos
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
Rating: BAD
Why: Irritating to ocular surface, disrupts lipid layer
Where: Cleansers, shampoos
Ammonium lauryl sulfate
Rating: BAD
Why: Detergent effect strips lipid layer, irritant to ocular surface
Where: Cleansers, shampoos
Cocamidopropyl betaine
Rating: BAD
Why: Allergic contact dermatitis, ocular irritation
Where: Gentle cleansers, lash cleansers
Emulsifier/Surfactant
Polysorbate 20
Rating: OK with caution
Why: May sting and destabilise tear film if overused
Where: Removers, serums
Wax/Occlusive
Beeswax (Cera alba)
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Can accumulate at lid margin, trap debris, destabilise tear film
Where: Mascaras, eyeliners, balms
Candelilla wax
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Occlusive film may trap debris at lash line
Where: Mascaras, liners, balms
Carnauba wax
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Occlusive film may trap debris
Where: Mascaras, liners
Essential oil
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Demodex-killing efficacy but epithelial toxicity at higher concentrations
Where: Lid wipes, gels, cleansers
Peppermint oil
Rating: BAD
Why: Cooling counterirritant, stings and irritates ocular surface
Where: Balms, creams
Eucalyptus oil
Rating: BAD
Why: Irritant vapours and direct stinging near eyes
Where: Balms, cleansers
Lavender oil
Rating: BAD
Why: Fragrance allergen, periocular irritation risk
Where: Skincare, cosmetics
Camphor
Rating: BAD
Why: Counterirritant, ocular sting risk
Where: Balms
Buffer
Phosphate buffers (disodium phosphate, sodium phosphate)
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Risk of corneal calcification in severely compromised eyes
Where: Buffered tears, drops
Borate buffers
Rating: OK
Why: Generally well tolerated at low levels
Where: Artificial tears
pH adjuster
Citric acid
Rating: OK with caution
Why: May sting on ocular surface
Where: pH adjustment, preservatives
Antimicrobial
Chlorhexidine
Rating: BAD
Why: Irritating to ocular tissues, not for intraocular contact
Where: Disinfectants, some wipes
Povidone-iodine
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Pre-op antiseptic, transient ocular irritation
Where: Pre-surgical antisepsis
Film former
Acrylates copolymer
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Can flake and irritate ocular surface
Where: Mascaras, liners, brow gels
PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone)
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Flakes may enter the eye and irritate
Where: Mascaras, liners
Pigment
Carbon black (CI 77266)
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Particle fallout can irritate ocular surface
Where: Mascaras, liners
Iron oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499)
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Particles may irritate if they enter eye
Where: Mascaras, shadows, liners
Mica
Rating: OK with caution
Why: Shimmer particles may abrade or irritate ocular surface
Where: Shadows, highlighters