When it comes to mascara, the tiny open-jar symbol that reads “6M” can be misleading. While it’s true that the formulamay be stable for up to six months after opening, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe—or ideal—for your eyes the entire time.

In today’s Eye Tip Tuesday, we’re breaking down why eye doctors (like myself) and beauty professionals recommend replacing mascara every three months, and why your eye health depends on it.

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The Real Reason: It’s Not About the Formula… It’s About the Wand

Every time you swipe mascara onto your lashes and dip the wand back into the tube, you’re introducing tiny amounts of bacteria.
Even perfectly healthy lashes carry natural bacteria, oils, and environmental debris—that’s normal.

But once the wand returns to the mascara tube, all of that goes into a warm, dark, moist space where bacteria can multiply easily. Over time, this increases your risk of:

• Eye irritation

• Redness or burning

• Lid inflammation

• Styes

• Lash fallout

Your eyes are extremely delicate, and reducing bacterial exposure is one of the easiest ways to protect them.

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Drier Formula = Weaker, More Breakable Lashes

Every dip of the wand pulls air into the tube. As oxygen mixes with the formula, mascara begins to dry out long before the six-month mark.

By the three-month point, most mascaras show signs of drying:

• More flaking

• More clumping

• Less smooth application

• More tugging on the lashes

A dry or clumpy mascara puts unnecessary stress on your lashes, causing breakage and thinning over time.

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Preservatives Don’t Last Forever

Mascara contains preservatives to help prevent bacterial growth. While these are safe and effective, they’re not meant to battle months of repeated exposure to air, skin oils, and microbes from your lash line.

By around 90 days, preservative performance declines—meaning bacteria can multiply faster.

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Your Eyes Deserve Fresher, Safer Products

You only get one pair of eyes, and they’re far more sensitive than the rest of your skin.
Refreshing your mascara every three months is a simple, meaningful way to protect your eyelids, lashes, and long-term eye health.

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✨ Early Black Friday at Theia Cosmetics

To make it easier to swap out your mascara at the safest interval, we’re kicking off an Early Black Friday Sale:

Buy One Mascara, Get One 50% Off

Use code: BOGO at checkout.

It’s the perfect time to:

• Stock up on your favorites

• Replace old tubes

• Gift a fresh mascara to someone you love

Your eyes—and your lashes—will thank you.