How to safely remove eyelash glue

Have you ever taken a break from applying mascara and pondered the purpose of eyelashes? 

Yes, a nice set of lashes undoubtedly make the eyes pop. But they also have the functional purpose of protecting your eyes from dust and debris. Our eyes are important and sensitive, which is why we have eyebrows, eyelids, eyelashes, and tears to protect them (Patel, 2021). 

This means we should take extra care when applying cosmetic products like eyelash glue or false lashes. Today, we’ll take a closer look at eyelash glue, how to use it safely, and if there are any side effects to watch out for.

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Eyeglass glue contains a mix of ingredients including adhesive agents, solvents, and chemicals. These are what keep temporary lashes in place for a short time. Generally speaking, eyelash adhesive is safe to use on your skin, but be careful not to get glue in your eyes. 

If this does happen, rinse your eyes with lukewarm water for 5–10 minutes. If you accidentally glue your eyelids together, seek medical attention or call your local poison control center. Do not try to pry them open yourself. 

Some people are allergic to the ingredients found in eyelash glue. These include things like latex, cyanoacrylates, parabens, and formaldehyde. 

Always check the ingredients on the back of cosmetic products to find out what you’re using. Stay clear of eyelash glues that contain ingredients you’re allergic to. Allergic reactions can include burning, itching, and swelling in and around the eyes (Chisholm, 2017). If you’re unsure if you have an allergy, do a patch test by applying a small amount of glue on the back of your hand and seeing if your skin reacts. 

The good news is that drug stores and online retailers like Amazon carry many options for eyelash glues from popular brands like Ardell, Eylure, and DUO Brush-On Lash Adhesive––just to name a few. Some brands also advertise if their products are latex-free or cruelty-free so you can pick the best option for you.

Safely applying lash extensions is a delicate balance. You have to place lashes as close as possible to your lash line without getting any glue in your eyes.

Make sure to apply eyelash glue to the actual lash band and not directly on your eyelid. The next step is placing the strip as close as possible to your natural lashes. Using an applicator or pair of tweezers, carefully lay the false lashes onto your eyelid. Doing this from above is a trick that can make application a bit easier. 

Once your lashes are securely in place, you can use eyeliner to fill in any gaps between your natural lashes and the false ones. 

At the end of the day when you’re ready to take off your falsies, you’ve got lots of options. 

Start by using a mixture of warm water and eye makeup remover and dabbing the top of your lashes. This will start to loosen the eyelash extension glue, making lashes easier to remove. 

You can also use coconut oil to break down the glue and remove lashes. However, if you have reusable lashes, steer clear of coconut oil and oil-based makeup removers as lash adhesive won’t stick well in the future.

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Current version

October 01, 2021

Written by

Hope Chang, PharmD

Fact checked by

Chimene Richa, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Chimene Richa, MD

Dr. Richa is a board-certified Ophthalmologist and medical writer for Ro.