A new line of optocosmetics and skincare, formulated for sensitive eyes and skin, contact lens wearers, and people who live with dry eye disease and/or digital eye strain, is now available in Australia for eye care professionals to retail.
Eyes Are the Story’s clinically tested formulas have been developed by Amy Gallant Sullivan, the Executive Director and Co-Creator of the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS). Ms Gallant Sullivan, who spends her time between London and Boston, is the daughter of Dr David A. Sullivan, a world-renowned PhD Scientist and until recently, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard University. Her brother, Dr Benjamin D. Sullivan, invented TearLab (trukera.com).
In collaboration with laboratories in the United States, Canada, and Italy, all the optocosmetics and skincare product formulations are based on peer-reviewed scientific research. In their trial, participants with sensitive eyes, contact lens wearers, and dry eye sufferers were given thorough eye exams by an ophthalmologist pre and post one-month of daily use and were also followed by a dermatologist. Ninety-five per cent of participants who were asked about the mascara, and 100% of participants asked about the eyeliner verified that the products are very well-tolerated on the ocular level and suitable for sensitive eyes and skin.
Speaking about her decision to develop the Eyes Are the Story brand, Ms Gallant Sullivan said, “I had no proof of any nexus between chronic eye diseases and the use of cosmetics, but I suspected a link. From that moment, I was determined to create an eye-safe cosmetics brand.
We’ve poured decades of eye science into this optocosmetics line, which inspires radiance and confidence without compromising eye health
“We’ve poured decades of eye science into this optocosmetics line, which inspires radiance and confidence without compromising eye health. As many mainstream cosmetics can ultimately damage our eyes and eyelids, we’re expanding the toxic beauty conversation to preserve the homeostasis of the eyes,” she said.
Many toxic ingredients, often found in mainstream cosmetics and skincare, are avoided in the bio-beauty brand’s formulations. Some of these ingredients include phthalates, argirilene (acetyl hexapeptide-3 or Acetyl hexapeptide-8),1 benzalkonium chloride (BAK),2 chlorphenesin,3 formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors (Quaternium 15, Ureas, DMDM hydantoin),2 isopropyl cloprostenate (analog of prostaglandins such as bimatoprost),4-6 parabens,3 phenoxyethanol,3 retinols,7 and terpinen-4-ol.8
The Eyes Are the Story optocosmetics and skincare products range currently comprises liquid eyeliner, a trio of mascaras, facial cleanser and eye serum; with eyeshadows to be launched in early 2023. Distributed to optical and dermatology practices in Australia by Good Optical Services, they will not be sold through pharmacies. Contact: Good Optical Services (AUS) 03 9645 1066.
References
- Ozgur O, Murariu D, Parsa AA, Parsa FD. Dry eye syndrome due to botulinum toxin type-A injection: guideline for prevention. Hawaii J Med Pub Health 2012;71(5):120-1237
- Chen X, Liu Y, Kam WR, Sullivan AG, Sullivan DA. Toxicity of cosmetic preservatives on human ocular surface and adnexal cells. Exp Eye Res 2018;59:193-205.
- Wang J, Liu Y, Kam WR, Li Y, Sullivan DA. Toxicity of the cosmetic preservatives parabens, phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin on human meibomian gland epithelial cells. Exp Eye Res 2020; 196:108057.
- www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/regulatory/claims/120476614.html
- N Horváth O, Letulé V, Ruzicka T, Herzinger T, Goldscheider I, von Braunmühl T. Periocular discoloration after using a prostaglandin analog for eyelash enhancement: evaluation with reflectance confocal microscopy. J Cosmet Dermatol 2017;16(1):18-20.
- Kam WR, Liu Y, Ding J, Sullivan DA. Do cyclosporine A, an IL-1 receptor antagonist, uridine triphosphate, rebamipide or bimatoprost regulate human meibomian gland epithelial cells? Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2016;57:4287-4294.
- Ding J, Kam WR, Dieckow J, Sullivan DA. The infl uence of 13-cis retinoic acid on human meibomian gland epithelial cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis
- Chen D, Wang J, Sullivan DA, Kam WR, Liu Y. Effects of terpinene-4-ol on meibomian gland epithelial cells in vitro. Cornea 2020; 39:1541-1546
