Ok, get ready for an alarming, eye opening post that’s going to make you want to jump up and take action IMMEDIATELY! I was scrolling through my Pinterest feed and found THIS article on adding 1 drop of lavender essential oil to your mascara each time you buy a new tube. Why you may ask?? Brace yourself…. EYELASH MITES. Yes, 50% of us have eye lash mites burrowing in our eyelash hair follicles. CRINGE. As I write this my eye is itching. So, let’s dig right in and find out more.
Mites can actually burrow into our follicles and can lay up to 20 eggs per hair follicle! Yeah, so those little suckers are breeding on and in your follicle, or as they call it Motel 6.
The 2 symptoms someone with mites will experience are itchy eyes and eye lashes falling out. I think that it makes perfect sense that mite infested lash follicles don’t grow-I mean, they certainly aren’t thriving and healthy. By detoxing your lash follicles, stronger, thicker and longer lashes are sure to ensue!
What Causes Eyelash Mites?
Wearing mascara-BOO
Compromised immune system
Getting older
It’s alarming that by wearing mascara, you are creating a breeding ground for these gross little parasites! Another really good reason to ALWAYS remove your makeup before bed! Also, I’ve heard many older people complain of losing eye lashes and thinking it’s just because of age. That is only 1/2 way true. Mites could be the culprit.
How to Get Rid of Eyelash Mites-
The best natural solution for getting rid of eyelash mites is, you guessed it, essential oils! It’s really good news because I don’t know about you, but I have to take action now and essential oils are totally doable. Essential oils are amazing for the eyelash hair follicles! Not only can they kill bacteria that can be piling up in your follicles, they can also kill these nasty little buggers!
There is controversy around applying essential oils in or near the eye. Let me state, I am not a doctor (clearly) so I can only give you my opinion. I don’t suggest putting straight essential oil in the eye. When putting straight essential oil close to the eye, it can migrate in as well. However, diluting your essential oils and then applying them is a much better idea.
3 Possible Solutions-
Eyelash Growth and Detox Nightly Treatment (see below for recipe)
Baby Shampoo + Tea Tree essential oil Wash (see below for recipe)
This treatment should not only detox but also nourish your lashes possibly causing thicker, longer lashes!
And while you are at it, put some on your brows as well. I’m guessing the brows aren’t bacteria traps like eyelashes but it couldn’t hurt to clean those follicles as well!
>>After cleansing your face and removing your eye makeup in the evening, take a dime sized dollop of baby shampoo/melaleuca blend and thoroughly but gently rub on your lashes. Then rinse.<<
*Do this for at least 2 weeks every night then maintain by cleansing your lashes once a week.
I really like this idea because mascaras are a breeding ground for bacteria. By adding a drop of lavender which is antibacterial and anti parasitic, you can cut way back on the amount of yuck that you are putting on your lashes. Plus the lavender will help to kill and control the mites already in your lashes.
The good news is having mites is not a serious condition. By being proactive with 1 or all of these suggestions, you can easily rid your lashes and hopefully see an improvement in the appearance of your lashes!
I got most of my info. from an episode of Dr. Oz-I’m not making this up, folks!
Jennifer Phillips worked as a licensed aesthetician for over 8 years before creating the green beauty blog, Jenni Raincloud and her natural skin care line, J. Raincloud Organics. Jennifer has been blogging full time for 9 years and loves to gain and share knowledge on how to achieve beautiful skin the natural way.
10 thoughts on “The Scary Fact About Your Lashes…”
The thought of something as strong as melaleuca or lemon that close to my eyeballs makes me uncomfortable. So, since the lavender is good enough to put in the mascara tube, why not just add lavender to your lash growth serum and kill two birds with one stone? I would be concerned that introducing something to the mascara itself could change the efficacy of the product.
Jennifer-If you are uncomfortable then just stick with the lavender. If anything, the lavender has made my mascara smoother. I also read another post about this and read all the comments from people that tried it and they all say the same thing. And you could for sure add lavender to the lash serum. Fractionated Coconut oil has a pulling action that helps further detox so it is a good option to detox but also nourish!
Regular Coconut oil on the skin is like feeding the mites if you suffer from Dermodex mites in some Rosacea conditions Are you sure Fractionated Coconut oil has been relieved of the stuff these culprits love and thus feed on?
Ohhhh lavender works well against any parasites – on the hair, eyelashes etc. It’s also good to add to the mascara. I use Cherish Lash serum and mascara and they work well also against bacterias and parasites, especially if to add some essential oils. Also helps your eyelashes grow longer. It’s a terrible problem of course 🙂 I wish you never have it anymore.
I just put a drop of lavender oil in a new tube of mascara and it ruined the mascara. Now it’s slimy and clumpy and won’t stick to my eyelashes (except in big gobs). I’m bummed I wasted the money on that mascara, it was a good mascara. It was water resistant mascara, perhaps that’s the issue. Has anyone run into issues with water resistant mascara? Now I’m scared to try it on regular mascara and waste more money. Maybe I’ll try it on a cheaper mascara first next time.
Kate-Oh NO!!! I’ve never had this happen when using mascara. That being said I have done it to Pacifica, 100% Pure and Tarte. Wonder if it’s something in your brand you’re using? I’m so sorry. I will be adding a warning on this post.
The thought of something as strong as melaleuca or lemon that close to my eyeballs makes me uncomfortable. So, since the lavender is good enough to put in the mascara tube, why not just add lavender to your lash growth serum and kill two birds with one stone? I would be concerned that introducing something to the mascara itself could change the efficacy of the product.
Jennifer-If you are uncomfortable then just stick with the lavender. If anything, the lavender has made my mascara smoother. I also read another post about this and read all the comments from people that tried it and they all say the same thing. And you could for sure add lavender to the lash serum. Fractionated Coconut oil has a pulling action that helps further detox so it is a good option to detox but also nourish!
Thanks for the response! Can you explain what you mean by a “pulling action”?
Yes, I mean it pulls toxins out!
My daughter has a condition, I can’t remember what it is called, but she has flaking skin under her eyelashes. This would probably be helpful for her.
Regular Coconut oil on the skin is like feeding the mites if you suffer from Dermodex mites in some Rosacea conditions
Are you sure Fractionated Coconut oil has been relieved of the stuff these culprits love and thus feed on?
Ohhhh lavender works well against any parasites – on the hair, eyelashes etc. It’s also good to add to the mascara. I use Cherish Lash serum and mascara and they work well also against bacterias and parasites, especially if to add some essential oils. Also helps your eyelashes grow longer. It’s a terrible problem of course 🙂 I wish you never have it anymore.
Anna-I’ve never heard of Cherish-I’ll check it out!! Thanks!
I just put a drop of lavender oil in a new tube of mascara and it ruined the mascara. Now it’s slimy and clumpy and won’t stick to my eyelashes (except in big gobs). I’m bummed I wasted the money on that mascara, it was a good mascara. It was water resistant mascara, perhaps that’s the issue. Has anyone run into issues with water resistant mascara? Now I’m scared to try it on regular mascara and waste more money. Maybe I’ll try it on a cheaper mascara first next time.
Kate-Oh NO!!! I’ve never had this happen when using mascara. That being said I have done it to Pacifica, 100% Pure and Tarte. Wonder if it’s something in your brand you’re using? I’m so sorry. I will be adding a warning on this post.