We brush our teeth twice a day without even thinking, yet most of us can’t name a single thing we do to care for our eyes – even though we expose them daily to mascara, eyeliner, lash serums, powders, creams and makeup removers, often for decades at a time.
In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Dr Pam Theriot, optometrist, author and dry eye specialist, to unpack the rarely discussed relationship between beauty routines and long-term eye health.
As Dr Theriot explains, modern beauty habits such as tightlining, waterproof makeup and lash enhancements may seem harmless in isolation, but their cumulative impact can affect the eyelids, tear film, and the tiny oil glands that keep our eyes comfortable.
This unique episode shines a light on a missing piece of the beauty conversation.
From ingredient choices and everyday behaviours to the lack of industry education around ocular health, it challenges assumptions and offers practical insights that could change how you think about caring for your eyes, forever.
“We care for our teeth every day, but most people can’t name a single thing they do to care for their eyes – even though sight is the sense we fear losing the most.” — Dr Pam Theriot
In this episode with Dr Pam Theriot, you will hear:
- Why eye health is missing from the beauty conversation: Dr Theriot explains why ocular health has largely been ignored by the beauty industry, despite decades of product use around the eyes. She shares how recent advances in imaging technology and research are only now revealing the cumulative impact of everyday beauty habits.
- How cosmetics interact with the eye’s delicate structures: You’ll learn how the eyelids, tear film and oil glands work together to protect the eyes, and why they are so vulnerable to products applied nearby. Dr Theriot explains how powders, pigments and creams can migrate into the tear film or absorb through the thinnest skin on the body.
- The ingredients and products that raise red flags: From preservatives and alcohol to formaldehyde in lash adhesives and tea tree oil in eyelid products, Dr Theriot outlines which ingredients have been shown to damage cells or disrupt the eye’s surface. She also explains why “clean” or “natural” doesn’t automatically mean eye-safe.
- Beauty behaviours that quietly contribute to discomfort: Tightlining, waterproof makeup, lash extensions and skipping proper removal are all discussed in detail. Dr Theriot explains how these habits can block oil glands, reduce tear quality and increase inflammation over time.
- What needs to change in formulation, labelling and education: The episode closes with a powerful discussion on how the beauty industry could take ocular health more seriously – from ingredient choices and warning labels to influencer education and consumer awareness.
Key takeaways include:
- Eye care deserves the same daily attention as oral care: Dr Theriot highlights a striking imbalance in how we approach self-care. While plaque removal and dental hygiene are ingrained from childhood, eye hygiene is rarely discussed. Yet the eyelids and ocular surface also accumulate biofilm, bacteria and residue that can affect long-term comfort and eye health if left unmanaged.
- Cumulative exposure matters more than one-off use: Many beauty habits seem harmless in isolation, but the real issue lies in repeated exposure over decades. Daily application of products near the eyes can gradually damage oil glands, disrupt blinking and alter tear composition, increasing the risk of dry eye disease later in life.
- Behaviour can be just as important as formulation: Even well-formulated products can cause problems when used incorrectly. Applying products too close to the lash line, rubbing the eyes, over-cleansing or failing to remove makeup properly can all contribute to irritation and gland dysfunction, regardless of how ‘gentle’ a product claims to be.
- Not all irritation is immediate or obvious: Damage to the eye’s structures often occurs silently, long before symptoms become severe enough to seek help. Dr Theriot explains that many patients don’t connect mild dryness or discomfort with their beauty routines, even when clear clinical signs are present.
- Education could transform how we use beauty products: Greater awareness – from formulators, brands, practitioners and influencers – could help consumers make informed choices without giving up makeup entirely. Understanding where and how to apply products and which ingredients to approach with caution could significantly improve eye comfort over time.
Meet our guest: Dr Pam Theriot, optometrist, author, and dry eye specialist
Dr Pam Theriot is an optometrist, author, and dry eye specialist based in Louisiana. With over 20 years of experience in eye care, she leads the Dry Eye Relief Center at Lusk Eye Specialists, where she helps patients find personalised, long-term solutions to chronic eye irritation.
Her own journey with dry eye began early in her career, when symptoms started affecting her ability to wear contact lenses, run comfortably and apply makeup. That experience shaped her professional mission to help others feel at ease in their own eyes again.
Dr Theriot shares her expertise through her book Alleviate Dry Eye, online courses, a weekly blog, and her Editor’s Pick Award-winning TEDx talk. She is on a mission to help 1 million people learn to care for their eyes as routinely as they care for their teeth by building simple, everyday habits.
Find out more about Dr Pam Theriot and her work:
- Website: Pam Theriot
- Instagram: @pam.theriot
- YouTube: @alleviatedryeyewithdr.T
- TikTok: @pamtheriot6
- LinkedIn: Pam Theriot
Special resource mentioned in the episode:
Related episodes:
- Episode 143: The brand creating mascara tubes to last 2,500 years
- Episode 165: Revolutionising the nail industry – The mission of Manisafe
Thank you for joining us for this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Lorraine Dallmeier is a Biologist, Chartered Environmentalist and the CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetic science school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica Team.
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