Makeup smudges on contact lenses are something we’ve all been through. One minute you have the perfect eyeshadow, and the next your vision is cloudy. Now your eyes sting, and your contact lens has a streak of mascara across it. It may be annoying, but on the bright side, it’s not uncommon.

This blog post will walk through the best ways to safely remove makeup from your contact lenses.

1. Wash Your Hands First 

Before you even think about touching your contacts, take a moment to wash your hands. Make sure you wash them well with soap, then rinse well, and dry with a lint-free towel.

Why? Because whatever is on your fingers ends up on your lenses. That can be oils from skincare, leftover eyeliner on your fingertips, glitter, or even your moisturizer. These outside factors can cause a hazy, filmy look on your lenses (or worse, contaminate them with something damaging to your eyes).

Quick Tips:

- Use gentle, fragrance-free soaps

- Avoid anything with oils or lotion

- Dry your hands completely, since water droplets can carry bacteria.

2. Take Your Contacts Out Before You Try to Clean Them

This might feel obvious, but when you’re in a rush, the temptation to “fix” a smudge while the lens is still in your eye is real. The problem? That can actually make things worse.

Cleaning a lens while it’s in your eye can:

- Scratch the lens

- Push makeup deeper into it

- Cause eye irritation

- Damage the lens

Save yourself the trouble and take the lens out first!

3. Use the Right Cleaning Solution

Here’s where people often go wrong. Never use tap water, saliva, micellar water, or makeup remover to clean your lenses. None of those are safe for contacts, since they're not sterile and can carry bacteria that don’t belong anywhere near your eyes. Plus, many of these will cause your eyes to burn badly if you put the lens back in with these substances on them.

Instead, use your regular sterile multipurpose contact lens solution.

The quick and safe way to clean a makeup-smudged contact lens:

- Place the lens in the palm of your hand

- Add a few drops of your contact lens solution

- Gently rub the lens in a circular motion for 10–15 seconds

- Flip it over and repeat

- Rinse it with fresh solution before putting it back in your eye

If the smudge still won’t budge, don’t force it; replace the lens to avoid the risk of contamination.

4. How to Keep Makeup From Getting on Your Contacts in the First Place

Cleaning is fine, but prevention is always better. A few small tweaks to your routine can save you the headache.

Put Your Contacts In Before Your Makeup

This is the number one rule for avoiding smudges. Contacts go in first, then makeup.

Switch to Contact-Lens-Friendly Products

Not all makeup works well with contact lenses. Some formulas shed tiny particles that cling to your lenses. If the following products work for you, they can be a better alternative for contact lens wearers who also love wearing makeup!

Better options include:

- Water-based mascaras

- Hypoallergenic products

- Cream shadows instead of loose powders

- Tubing mascaras

Other Makeup Routine Steps to Avoid:

- Never apply eyeliner directly on the inner lash line (tightlining)

- Use clean brushes

- Don’t apply mascara from the root, and instead start a little higher

- Give everything a second to dry before you blink

Choose Smudge-Proof Products:

Smudge-proof/waterproof eyeliners and mascaras stay where they’re supposed to, which means less fallout on your lenses.

5. Know When It’s Time to Replace Your Lenses

If your contacts still feel cloudy and/or uncomfortable after cleaning them, toss them. Your eyes are more important, and it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your eyes.

Check Your Makeup Expiration Dates:

Old makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria. A quick refresher on makeup expiration dates:

- Mascara: replace every 3 months

- Liquid eyeliner: 3–6 months

- Cream-based products: 6–12 months

- Powder products: 12–24 months

6. Daily Disposables: The Easy Fix

If smudges are a constant battle, daily disposables might be your best friend. A fresh pair of contact lenses every day means no buildup, no scrubbing, and no stress.

Daily disposables are especially helpful for:

- Heavy makeup wearers

- Those with sensitive eyes

- Busy schedules

- Anyone who wants simpler routines

Most importantly, if anything ever feels off, such as redness, irritation, or blurred vision, it’s important to see your eye doctor.

And of course, if you ever need help with lens care, product questions, or more contact lens tips, Blue Planet Optics is always here for you.

FAQ: Makeup & Contact Lenses

1. Why does makeup stick to my contact lenses so easily?

Contacts attract oils and particles because of their material. Powders, flakes, and oily products stick to them quickly.

2. Can I use micellar water to clean my contacts?

No. Only sterile contact lens solution is safe.

3. Why does my mascara keep smudging onto my lenses?

It’s usually from applying mascara too close to the inner lash line or using a flaky formula.

4. What makeup should I avoid with contacts?

Loose glitter, heavy powders, and oil-rich products.

5. How do I stop eyeliner from getting on my contacts?

Skip tightlining (lining the inner rim of your eye). Apply liner just above the lashes instead.

6. Are daily disposable lenses better for makeup wearers?

Definitely. You start with a fresh pair of lenses every day, so buildup becomes basically impossible.

7. What if my lens still looks cloudy after cleaning?

Replace it. Cloudiness usually means the lens has absorbed oils or makeup and won’t fully clean.

8. Does old makeup impact my contact lenses?

Yes. Older products collect bacteria and dry out, which increases flaking and irritation.