Gloss Angeles: "Establishing an Eye Care Routine, Blepharoplasties, and Which Beauty Products and Treatments Can Affect Your Vision"

Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan
Guest: Dr. Ashley Brissette, MD (Ophthalmologist, New York Rangers' team doctor, Clinique's consulting ophthalmologist)

Episode Overview

This episode of Gloss Angeles delves into the crucial but often-overlooked topic of eye health, especially as it intersects with beauty routines and cosmetic products. Hosts Kirbie and Sara, both seasoned beauty journalists, welcome Dr. Ashley Brissette for a comprehensive and practical discussion. They explore the essentials of an eye care routine, demystify popular treatments and surgeries (including blepharoplasty), and highlight ways in which beauty products and trends can directly impact vision and long-term ocular health.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Brissette’s Unique Perspective on Ophthalmology

• Dr. Brissette stands out for her ability to bridge clinical expertise with beauty culture, not advocating abstinence from makeup but rather championing “safe and informed” choices.

  “There’s nothing better than helping somebody see again. And it is honestly the best job in the world. … I can look into the back of someone’s eyes and see if they have diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune conditions. So there is so much about the total body health that comes from an eye exam.” (Dr. Brissette, 07:24)

2. Why Eye Health Matters at Every Age

• Eye care is multigenerational and should begin in childhood. Many eye issues, like congenital ptosis or myopia, stem from genetics or develop over time.
• Aging and beauty routines are closely linked, with increased complaints of dry eyes and changing vision in the 30s and 40s.

3. Cosmetic Products and Ocular Safety

• Most cosmetics are not required to undergo ophthalmologist testing. Dr. Brissette recommends prioritizing products with the “ophthalmologist-tested” label, which is not an industry standard but involves rigorous safety checks under slit-lamp (microscope) exams.

  “It has to have that designation. … An ophthalmologist will look under a microscope … making sure that there hasn’t been a reaction. … It’s a really strict guideline.” (Dr. Brissette, 13:00)

• The term “clean” is marketing, not a guarantee of safety:

  “‘Clean’ doesn't necessarily mean that it has been safety tested for use around the eyes.” (Dr. Brissette, 14:14)

4. Makeup Habits That Alarm Eye Doctors

• Major red flags include:
  • Using products not intended for the eye area.
  • Skincare actives (like retinols) migrating to eyes, causing irritation or dryness.
  • Neglecting to remove eye makeup nightly.
  • Sharing eye products or using outdated products (mascara, eyeliners, etc.).
• Best Practices: Swap products if you have frequent irritation, and always patch test new items near the eye.

5. Defining and Managing Sensitive Eyes

• Sensitive eyes are usually symptomatic of underlying issues (dry eye, allergies). Testing and tracking product reactions are key, and those with persistent issues should consult an ophthalmologist.

6. Establishing an Eye Care Routine

Dr. Brissette’s Recommendations (18:04, 23:17):

• 1. Use “ophthalmologist-tested” eye makeup (e.g., Clinique’s Eye Safety Promise line).
• 2. Remove all eye makeup every night; never sleep in it.
• 3. Double cleansing method: Makeup melting balm (e.g., Clinique’s Take the Day Off), followed by a formulated cleanser.
• 4. Hydrating eye cream (specifically designed for eyes).
• **5. Lubricating eye drops for dryness; consider procedural treatments (IPL, LipiFlow, RF muscle stimulation) for chronic dry eyes.
• 6. Wash eyelids/lashes morning and night (spray with hypochlorous acid, gently wipe debris).

“Everybody knows to brush their teeth twice a day, but they don’t know to wash around their eye area…” (Dr. Brissette, 24:50)

7. Kids and Eye Care

• Teaching children to care for their eyes early (basic hygiene, cleaning lashes, using proper products) is recommended to build lifelong routines.

8. Shelf Life of Eye Products

• Replace mascara and eyeliner every 3–6 months.
• Routinely wash brushes.
• Nearly 80% of mascaras develop bacterial contamination over time; also risk for viruses and lash parasites (Demodex)—never share.

“There was a research study … almost 80% of mascaras are contaminated with bacteria.” (Dr. Brissette, 28:42)

9. Blepharoplasty & Insurance

• Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) has exploded in popularity—see an oculoplastic specialist for best results; aggressive surgery can impair eyelid function.
• Insurance may cover “functional” cases (where droopy lids impair vision), documented via visual field tests.

10. Lash Extensions, “Under-Lash” Trends, and Lash Serums

• Lash extensions can cause infections, hinder blinking, trap debris, and even result in lash loss (traction alopecia).

  “The function of the lashes is to protect the surface of the eye … too long or heavy can impair blinking and lead to dryness, irritation…” (Dr. Brissette, 31:47)

• Lash serums: FDA-approved Latisse (with prostaglandins) is highly effective but can darken eyelid skin, change iris color, and cause eye fat atrophy, leading to a hollowed appearance typical of aging. Peptide-based serums are safer alternatives.

11. Screen Time & Blue Light

• Staring at screens reduces blinking → dryness and eye strain.
• Apply the 20-20-20 Rule (every 20 mins, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds).
• Blue light blocking glasses: mixed evidence; anti-glare screens, frequent breaks, and eye drops are effective.

12. Anti-Aging for Eye Health

• Lubricating eye drops, proper eye creams (not just repurposed face creams), diets rich in omega-3s and leafy greens, and regular eye exams (every 1–2 years) are key.
• Diseases like glaucoma ("the silent thief of sight") can be caught early on routine checks.

13. Vision Correction: LASIK Limits and Evolving Options

• Declining near vision post-LASIK in midlife is natural ("presbyopia").
• Solutions: readers, multifocal contacts, new prescription eye drops, or surgical options, including lens replacements (“everyone will get cataracts if they live long enough”).

14. Product Ingredients to Approach with Caution

• Retinols and retinoids, including oral Accutane, can harm oil glands that lubricate eyes, leading to dry eye symptoms.
• Always be vigilant about ingredient migration from both skincare and makeup.

Notable Quotes / Memorable Moments

• “Clean is a marketing term.” — Dr. Brissette (03:45)
• “The old thinking … was just abstinence only. … That doesn’t work.” — Dr. Brissette on makeup and eye health (11:47)
• “You want the eye area to look good, and then you also want it to feel good…if you have dryness or irritation … it can really impact your quality of life.” — Dr. Brissette (25:36)
• “[Latisse] can cause … darkening of the eyelid skin, darkening of the iris … and [worst] atrophy of the fat in and around the eyes. Nothing will age you more than having hollowed out eyes.” — Dr. Brissette (34:11)
• “Everybody knows to brush their teeth twice a day, but they don’t know to wash around their eye area twice a day.” — Dr. Brissette (24:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:20] — Introduction to Dr. Brissette and her background
• [03:14] — The unregulated nature of eye product safety claims
• [06:47] — Growing prevalence of dry eye disease; beauty product impact
• [07:24] — Dr. Brissette’s journey into ophthalmology
• [10:10] — Public misconceptions and viral trends
• [11:07] — Red flags with cosmetic use around the eyes
• [13:00] — What “ophthalmologist-tested” really means
• [14:14] — The "clean" beauty myth
• [18:04] — Elements of an eye care routine
• [23:17] — Dr. Brissette’s personal PM routine
• [28:13] — How often to replace mascara, eyeliners
• [29:34] — Blepharoplasty: trends, insurance, and risks
• [31:37] — Lash extensions/serums: risks and recommendations
• [35:39] — Impact of screen time and blue light
• [36:55] — Anti-aging eye health advice
• [38:23] — What to do as vision changes with age or after LASIK
• [40:46] — Best OTC eye drops and risks of retinol
• [42:43] — Bridging medical and beauty advice for patients

Final Takeaways

• Eye care is as foundational as skin and dental hygiene—start an eye routine today.
• Always choose products specifically tested and intended for use around the eyes.
• Stay vigilant with makeup hygiene (three-to-six-month replacements, never share, regular washing).
• Consult ophthalmologists for persistent symptoms, procedural care, or before considering elective surgeries or trends.
• Nutrition, regular exams, and ingredient awareness are critical to lifelong eye and vision health.

Follow Dr. Ashley Brissette:
Instagram & TikTok: @abrissettemd
Practice: New York City

This episode arms listeners with practical, science-based advice to keep your eyes healthy—and beautiful—through every stage of life.