Wearing makeup to accentuate the eyes is pretty standard when it comes to beauty routines. With thousands of tips and tricks to help you get it done, it’s easy to transform yourself into an amateur makeup artist.

But with that comes some responsibility too. The eyes are a delicate part of the body that need special care to prevent damage. Your makeup routine could be a contributing factor to poor eye health if you’re not careful.

Dr. Jaclyn Garlich points out three common eye cosmetic mistakes that can lead to potential eye issues. If you wear any type of eye makeup on a regular basis, you’ll want to hear this. Learn how to prevent yourself from getting an infection, damaging your eyes, or causing long-term harm to your eyelids.

1. Mascara

   Dr. Garlich shares that mascara is prone to bacteria buildup, which can spread to your eye. You may not be aware, but mascara should be tossed after two to three months, depending on how often you use it.

   Bacteria grows quickly and can be transferred back and forth with each stroke of the brush. If it smells weird before its expiration, throw it out. Another tip? Don’t apply while moving, as you run the risk of scratching your cornea.

2. Eyeshadow

   The texture of powdered eyeshadow makes it susceptible to falling onto your eye (or cheeks), causing redness and irritation. Dr. Garlich recommends using an eyelid primer to help keep your shadow in place. Primer also prevents creases from forming in your eye makeup.

   Another option is to trade in your powder habit for an eyeshadow cream. Creams take less time to apply and the color lasts longer when you wear it. Try it out!

Click on the video to hear what the doc has to say about eyeliner. Watch out for those tear ducts!

One of the other things to be conscientious of with eye makeup is its removal. Don’t forget to clean your face at bedtime with a mild makeup remover or coconut oil. Cotton swabs can help you reach sensitive areas.

Particles of makeup can seep into your eye when you’re asleep and can cause an allergic reaction or infection. Some people may also be at risk of experiencing skin irritation in the areas surrounding the eyes. Take the time to clean it off!

If you notice that you already follow most of these steps Dr. Garlich laid out but still encounter eye problems, it could be related to the brand you’re using. Look into switching to a higher quality makeup or hypoallergenic brands to see if there’s a difference.

Other small ways you can watch out for your eyes when it comes to cosmetics is to avoid doing these things: sharing makeup; applying makeup to an unclean face; wearing glittery eyeshadow; trying communal samples at the store; or rotating lip, eye, and cheek makeup between different parts of the face.

Were you aware of these eye makeup issues already? Has your eye health ever been affected by your makeup?