Your Complete Guide to Skincare and Lash Extensions: What You Need to Know
Beautiful lashes and flawless skin go hand in hand. So many of my clients prioritize their skincare routine, making regular visits to their esthetician to maintain that gorgeous glow. But did you know that some of your favorite skincare products might be affecting your lash extensions?
Over my 18 years as a lash artist, I've seen how certain skincare products can impact the longevity and appearance of lash extensions. I want to share these insights with you, so you can keep both your skin and lashes looking their absolute best.
The Most Important Thing: Clean Lashes Are Happy Lashes
Let's start with the foundation of beautiful lash extensions. Just like you wouldn't skip brushing your teeth, your lashes need attention every morning and night. Daily cleaning prevents product buildup that can weaken the bond of your extensions and compromise their longevity. When clients have shared their lashes aren't lasting as long as they'd like, the first thing we discuss is their cleaning routine.
Let me share a perfect example of why this matters so much. One of my clients came to me from another lash artist who had never mentioned the importance of cleaning her lashes. Initially, her retention wasn't matching what I typically see with my long-term clients. When I suggested she start cleaning her lashes morning and night, the transformation was remarkable. She was amazed at how much longer her lashes lasted with this simple change in her routine.
The story gets even better - she was so impressed with the results that she bought Cloud Bath (my recommended lash cleanser) for a friend in another state. Her friend went from needing touch-ups every 2-3 weeks to making it a full 6 weeks between appointments! That's the power of proper lash cleaning.
I've seen time and time again: once clients follow my aftercare instructions, they see an immediate improvement in how long their extensions last. It's often the simplest changes that make the biggest difference.
The Impact of AHAs and BHAs on Lash Extensions
If you're into skincare, you've probably heard about AHAs and BHAs. These ingredients are fantastic for skin renewal, but they come with a catch when you have lash extensions. These products can make your skin much more sensitive than usual, especially around your eyes where the skin is already incredibly delicate and thin.
Think about it this way: would you apply a strong exfoliant to a paper-thin surface? That's essentially what happens when these products get near your lash line. They can make your skin so sensitive that it reacts differently to lash extension materials, including the eye pads and adhesives I use during your appointment.
Here's the science behind it: AHAs and BHAs work by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells, effectively dissolving them to reveal fresher skin underneath. This process, while excellent for skin renewal, also temporarily compromises your skin's protective barrier. Because the eye area has the thinnest skin on your face (only about 0.5mm thick compared to 2mm elsewhere), this barrier disruption can be particularly problematic.
Most skincare companies specifically warn against using these products around the eye area, not just because of potential irritation, but because this delicate skin is more susceptible to damage. When these products come into contact with your lash line, they can:
Increase skin sensitivity to adhesives
Create a more acidic environment that affects how well the lash adhesive performs
Make the skin more reactive to the materials used during your lash appointment like eye pads and cleanser
Lead to inflammation that is not only uncomfortable, but can compromise the longevity of your lash extension
This is particularly important for those using products containing glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid. These ingredients, while powerful skin renovators, need to be kept well away from your lash line to ensure both skin health and lash longevity.
The Truth About Eye Creams
Here's something I often hear in my studio: "I only apply eye cream under my eyes at night, so it shouldn't affect my lashes." What many don't realize is how nighttime habits affect product migration. Whether you're snuggling under warm blankets, running your heater overnight, or experiencing hormonal changes like menopause that can cause night sweats, these temperature fluctuations cause eye creams to travel. That expensive eye cream you carefully applied to your under-eye area doesn't stay put – it gradually travels upward into your lash line. This is why some clients wake up to unexpectedly shed lashes after using heavy eye creams.
Understanding Sunscreen's Effect on Your Extensions
Sun protection is non-negotiable for healthy skin, but sunscreen needs some special consideration when you have lash extensions. As your face warms up throughout the day, sunscreen can migrate into your lash line, weakening the bond between your natural lashes and extensions.
Here's a pro tip I share with all my clients: After applying sunscreen, lightly dust translucent powder around your eye area. While this won't completely prevent migration, it helps keep your sunscreen in place and your lashes secure.
Another option is to use a powder foundation rather than liquid to ensure your skin is protected without compromising the longevity of your lash extensions.
Foundation Facts You Need to Know
Your choice of foundation matters more than you might think. Oil-based foundations and those containing sunscreen deserve extra attention. Throughout the day, these products can slowly work their way into your lash line, compromising the adhesive bonds. If you're noticing mid-day lash loss, your foundation might be the culprit.
Here's why this happens: As you go about your day, your facial movements, natural oils, and body temperature create the perfect environment for foundation migration. Oil-based foundations are particularly problematic because their molecules are specifically designed to stay mobile and blend with your skin's natural oils – this same property makes them likely to travel up into your lash line.
When selecting a foundation, look for water-based options and be mindful of application techniques. Try to keep foundation at least a finger's width away from your lash line, and consider using a setting powder around your eye area to create a barrier against product migration. This extra step can make a significant difference in how well your lash extensions maintain their bond throughout the day.
Overnight Masks: The Hidden Challenge
The impact of overnight masks on lash extensions became clear to me when one of my long-term clients, who typically had excellent retention, suddenly started experiencing significant lash loss. During her consultation, nothing seemed different – same sleeping habits, same cleaning routine, same everything. Then she mentioned she'd started using a Korean overnight mask as part of her new skincare routine.
These masks, particularly Korean skincare products, have gained immense popularity for their incredible hydrating properties. While they work wonders for your skin, their high moisture content and hydrating ingredients can spell trouble for your lash extensions. The very properties that make these masks effective – their ability to deeply penetrate and moisturize the skin throughout the night – also make them likely to migrate into your lash line as you sleep.
What makes overnight masks particularly challenging is their long exposure time. Unlike daytime products that might be on your skin for a few hours, these masks spend 6-8 hours in contact with your skin. As you move in your sleep, and as your body temperature fluctuates (especially for those experiencing hormonal changes or using warm blankets), these highly moisturizing products can travel up into your lash line.
After my client stopped using the overnight mask near her eye area, her retention returned to normal within one lash cycle. This experience taught us both that sometimes the most nurturing skincare products can be the biggest challenges for lash extension retention.
If you love using overnight masks (and who doesn't?), try keeping them away from your eye area, focusing instead on other parts of your face. This way, you can still enjoy their amazing benefits without compromising your lash extensions.
The Truth About Heat and Steam
Heat and steam exposure might seem harmless to your lash extensions, but understanding how they affect the adhesive bonds can help you maintain better retention. Whether you're enjoying a hot yoga session, taking a steamy shower, or getting a facial treatment, these environments create specific challenges for your lash extensions.
Let me explain what happens: When lash extension adhesive is exposed to high temperatures, particularly as they approach 130°F (54°C), the adhesive can begin to break down and become ineffective. This is particularly important to understand because many activities we enjoy reach these concerning temperatures:
Steam rooms typically operate between 110-115°F
Hot yoga studios are usually maintained at 105°F with high humidity
Hot showers can reach temperatures of 112-120°F
While these temperatures are below the critical 130°F mark, prolonged exposure to these high-temperature, humid environments can gradually affect your lash retention. This is especially true when heat and moisture are combined, as they often are in these situations.
When treating acne near your eye area, location is everything. Those powerful spot treatments that work wonders on blemishes can also affect your lash extensions. My rule of thumb? Keep any acne treatment at least a finger's width away from your lash line.
Finding the Right Balance
Having beautiful lashes doesn't mean sacrificing your skincare routine. It's all about making smart adjustments and understanding how products interact with your extensions. Think of your lash extensions as an investment in your beauty routine – one that needs protection just like any other investment.
Remember these key points:
Make lash cleaning a non-negotiable part of your morning and evening routine
Be strategic about product placement near your eye area
Consider how your nighttime products might move as you sleep
When in doubt, keep strong skincare products away from your lash line
Have questions about your specific skincare products? Bring them to your next appointment at Dela Antoinette's. Together, we can create a routine that keeps both your skin glowing and your lashes looking fabulous.
The goal isn't to make you choose between great skin and beautiful lashes – it's to help you have both. With these insights and a little mindfulness about product placement, you can maintain that perfect balance of healthy skin and stunning lashes.