Everyday cosmetics and personal-care products were linked to an estimated 42,457 eye-injury visits to US emergency departments over 20 years, according to research presented at an American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. The findings point to different risks at different ages: young children may get hold of products, while adults are often injured during their own beauty routines.
Key takeaways
The study suggests that safer storage and careful handling can help reduce preventable injuries.
- Researchers estimated nearly six emergency department visits a day from 2005 to 2024.
- Children aged four and under accounted for almost one in four cases.
- Most injuries happened at home, with burns and chemical exposures the most common types.
What the study found
The research team used the US National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, which samples emergency department visits to estimate injury totals nationally. Women and girls accounted for 81.8% of cases, and the average patient was 24. About 63% of injuries occurred at home. Thermal burns made up around 26% of cases, while chemical exposures accounted for about 25%.
The figures are estimates based on the database, rather than a count of every injury across the country. The study examined injuries associated with cosmetic and personal-care products, including heated tools, sprays and adhesives.
Risks change with age
Children were particularly vulnerable to chemical injuries. Chemical burns made up 45.8% of injuries among young patients, compared with 0.5% among adults. Researchers linked 83.2% of all chemical burns to a child getting hold of a cosmetic product. Among children aged four and under, 70% were injured after accessing a product without supervision.
Adults were more often hurt while using products themselves: 90% of injured adults were applying the product rather than having someone else do it. Over the study period, injuries involving heated products became less common, while injuries involving another person increased.
Practical steps to lower the risk
The study’s lead author, Aatif Syed, said prevention should reflect these differences. For families, that means keeping products—especially liquids and sprays—out of children’s reach and limiting unsupervised access. For adolescents and adults, care is needed when using heated styling tools and grooming devices near the eyes.
For people considering cosmetic or skin treatments, the findings are a reminder that the eye area is sensitive and that procedures should be discussed with an appropriately qualified practitioner. Skiin, a Melbourne skin and laser clinic, provides non-surgical treatments following practitioner assessment; its services are distinct from the household products examined in this study. If a product gets into the eye or causes an injury, seek appropriate medical advice promptly.
- Everyday Beauty Products Send Thousands to the E.R. With Eye Injuries Each Year, American Academy of Ophthalmology.
- Everyday Beauty Products Send Thousands to the E.R. With Eye Injuries Each Year, Newswise.