The Power of Intention in Clean Beauty: A Nourishing, Eye-Loving Makeup Remover
By Dr. Nieka Sabeti, OD
When we talk about “clean beauty”, the focus is often on what products don’t contain. But when it comes to the delicate eye area, what goes into a formula is just as important as what’s intentionally left out.
As an optometrist with a passion for beauty, launching CHESHMA with the Eye Spy Clean Eyes makeup remover felt like a natural first step. It was the perfect way to clean the slate — or rather, your eyes — and create a nourished, cared-for canvas for what else was to come.
Eye makeup removers interact closely with the lashes, lids, and tear film, meaning the ingredients must cleanse effectively without disrupting hydration, comfort, and the integrity of the skin barrier. A formula should remove makeup thoroughly without stripping, stinging, or disrupting the eye’s delicate ecosystem.
That careful balance – efficacy without compromise – is the foundation of our Eye Spy Clean Eyes makeup remover. It reflects a belief that clean beauty isn’t just about elimination. It’s about intention, precision, and choosing ingredients that truly support the health of the eyes and surrounding skin.
What’s In
Our formula includes moisture-supporting ingredients like trehalose and hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate), both known for their ability to attract and retain water. These humectants help cushion and hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes, preventing the tight or dry sensation that can happen after cleansing.
Soothing botanical components also play an important role. Rose water (rosa damascena flower water) helps calm and refresh the skin, while eyebright (euphrasia officinalis extract), a traditional eye-care botanical, provides antioxidant and comforting benefits to support the sensitive eye area.
A powerful player behind the formula’s cleansing system is sodium cocoyl apple amino acids, an ultra-gentle amino-acid–based cleanser that removes makeup effectively without stripping moisture or irritating the eyes. This allows the product to perform well while still respecting the natural balance of the skin and tear film.
What’s Out
Equally important is what the formula avoids. Eye Spy Clean Eyes makeup remover is created without harsh preservatives such as parabens, benzalkonium chloride (BAK), and formaldehyde-releasing agents, which can increase the risk of irritation along the eyelids and lash line.
Synthetic fragrances, masking scents, and phthalates are also excluded to minimize the potential for contact dermatitis or sensitivity around the delicate skin around the eyes. Heavy occlusive ingredients like mineral oil and petrolatum are intentionally left out to prevent greasy residue that can migrate into the eyes, leave a film on lashes or lids, and contribute to tear film disruption or blurred vision.
The formula also avoids strong pH disruptors, harsh surfactants, and drying alcohols such as ethanol or alcohol denat, which can compromise the skin barrier and increase discomfort in this sensitive area.
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The result is a makeup remover designed not only to cleanse, but to support comfort, hydration, and overall eye surface health. Because clean beauty isn’t only about avoiding certain ingredients — it’s about choosing ones that genuinely care for and protect your eyes.