1. Mascara makes your eyes tear up.

The Culprit: It's probably past its prime. "Mascara expires faster than any other cosmetic — three months from the time you open it," says cosmetic chemist Jim Hammer. The dark, moist tubes are hotbeds for bacteria. Plus, the older mascara is, the clumpier it gets, causing small particles to flake off, landing (where else?) in your eyes.
The Cure: Set a three-month calendar reminder, or Sharpie the date onto the tube. Had an eye infection? Toss it.

2. Lipstick makes your lips Sahara-dry.

The Culprit: "Lipstick's pigments are actually solid powders that prevent moisture from penetrating your lips," says Hammer. Matte versions are chockful of the stuff — the reason they feel like a clay mask after about 10 minutes.
The Cure: You don't have to settle for a wussy color — more beauty brands are rolling out high-impact shades in buttery formulas, like Rimmel Moisture Renew and Estée Lauder Pure Color LipShine — its encapsulated moisture molecules release a burst of hydration over time.

3. Post-mani, your face feels weirdly itchy.

The Culprit: Polish is the leading cause of periorbital dermatitis — a facial rash that can develop around the eyelids when you touch your face post-mani. "Lacquer is made with irritating solvents and plasticizers," says Hammer.
The Cure: Look for "3 free" formulas, which lack aggressive formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, and toluene, says Hammer. Many brands have ditched them, but check labels (or Google) prior to painting.

4. Eye shadow makes your eyes sting.

The Culprit: Again, it's usually not the formula (respectable beauty brands make sure their eye products are doctor-approved) but rather the form. "Blending loose powdered shadows onto your lids creates a dustbowl around your eyes, where particles can settle," says Hammer.
The Cure: Skip loose formulas — there's nothing sexy about smoky bloodshot eyes.

Most pressed-powder shadows won't create a cloud of dust, but your safest bets are cream and cream-to-powder shadows, which have zero fallout.

5. Foundation makes your skin flare up.

The Culprit: Whether your skin gets splotchy or breaks out, bacteria are the probable cause. "Liquid formulas are usually made with water. If you put your fingers or a brush into it, microbes can easily form and multiply," says Hammer. Even compact foundation can get funky. The accompanying sponges are porous breeding grounds.
The Cure: Stick with liquid foundations that come in a tube or pump. Dipping your mitts into a jar transfers germs. If you use a sponge, wash or replace it weekly (CVS sells a bag of 15 for under $3).

This article was originally published as "The Skinny: Why Does My Makeup Hurt?" in the July 2014 issue of Cosmopolitan. Click here to subscribe to the digital edition!

RELATED:
23 Unbelievable Beauty Hacks Using Only Household Items11 Things You Should NEVER Put on Your Face13 Beauty Tricks You Had No Idea You Could Do With a Spoon

Photo credit: Studio D