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    Wearing guide

    Makeup and skin care with scleral lenses

    You can wear makeup with scleral lenses. The order you do things in, and what's on your hands, makes the difference between a clear lens and a smeared one.

    By the Scleral Lens Team · Updated October 2, 2026 · 3 published sources cited

    The short answer

    Spray products first, then wash your hands with plain soap, then insert your lenses, then apply makeup. At night, take your lenses out before you remove your makeup. Choose oil-free products near your eyes, and keep lotions and creams off your hands when you handle lenses.

    Before you start

    Time: No extra time: it's just the order.

    • Plain, non-moisturizing soap
    • A lint-free towel
    • Oil-free makeup and removers for the eye area

    Step by step

    1. Sprays first

      Hairspray, deodorant, perfume, and other aerosols go on before your lenses go in.

    2. Moisturize your face, not your fingertips

      If you use creams or sunscreen, apply them first, then wash your hands well.

    3. Wash with plain soap

      Use non-moisturizing soap and dry your hands completely. Lotion-style soaps leave a film.

    4. Insert your lenses

      Do your three checks: light, vision, comfort.

    5. Then apply makeup

      Eye makeup goes on after the lenses are in. Choose oil-free products.

    6. At night, lenses out first

      Remove your lenses, put them in their case, then take off your makeup.

    These are general steps. If your fitter taught you differently, follow your fitter: your lens and eyes are theirs to know. Print the mirror cards to keep by your sink.

    The order, morning and night

    The FDA’s guidance on this is simple: apply aerosol products like hairspray, cologne, and deodorant before inserting your lenses, apply cosmetics after inserting them, and remove your lenses before removing your makeup.[1]

    Morning:

    1. Sprays and aerosols.
    2. Face moisturizer or sunscreen, if you use them.
    3. Wash your hands with plain soap and dry them well.
    4. Insert your lenses and do your three checks.
    5. Makeup.

    Night:

    1. Wash your hands.
    2. Remove your lenses and put them in their case.
    3. Remove your makeup.

    Following this order keeps oils, pigments, and removers from getting onto the lens or trapped in the saline under it. Anything trapped there sits against your eye all day.

    Your hands matter most

    Your fingertips touch the lens and fill it, so whatever is on them ends up on the lens. Always wash your hands before handling lenses.[2]

    • Use a plain, non-moisturizing soap. Soaps with added moisturizers or fragrance can leave a film.
    • Dry your hands completely with a lint-free towel.
    • Keep hand cream, lotion, sunscreen, and oils off your hands until your lenses are in. If you moisturize your face first, wash your hands again afterward.

    A smeared or hazy lens right after insertion is often a sign of something on your fingers. Take it out, clean it, wash your hands, refill with fresh saline, and try again.

    Choosing products

    Stick to oil-free makeup and removers around your eyes. Oily products can film the front of the lens and blur your vision.

    For anything you put directly in or on the eye, including eye drops, ask your eye care professional first. The FDA advises checking before you use any topical eye product, even one sold without a prescription.[1]

    If your lenses keep getting filmy

    If your vision gets smeary during the day, or your lenses look greasy when you take them out, makeup and skin care are worth a look. Before your next visit:

    • List your products, including face creams, sunscreen, eye makeup, removers, and hand soap. A photo of the labels works.
    • Note when it happens: right after insertion (often something on your fingers), or building up through the day (often something reaching the front of the lens).
    • Bring your lenses so your fitter can see the film.

    Your fitter may suggest switching a product, changing your cleaning routine, or looking at whether something else, such as your tear film, is part of the picture. See cleaning and disinfecting for how a stronger cleaning routine fits in.

    The same thinking applies to other things that might reach your eye. Shower and wash your face before inserting your lenses or after removing them: see swimming, showers, and water. For the full morning and evening routine, see the daily routine.

    Common mistakes

    • Putting on makeup before inserting your lenses.
    • Removing makeup with your lenses still in.
    • Handling lenses with lotion, hand cream, or sunscreen on your fingers.
    • Washing with moisturizing or scented soap before handling lenses.
    • Using hairspray after the lenses are in.
    • Using oily removers or creams near the eyes.

    Common questions

    Can I wear mascara and eyeliner with scleral lenses?

    Many wearers do. Put the lenses in first, then apply makeup, and choose oil-free products. If you notice film on your lenses or your vision gets smeary, mention your products to your fitter.

    Why does the order matter?

    It keeps oils, pigments, and removers from getting onto or under the lens. The FDA's advice is to apply cosmetics after inserting lenses and remove your lenses before removing makeup.

    My lens looks smeared after I put it in. What happened?

    Usually something on your fingers: lotion, cream, or a moisturizing soap. Take the lens out, clean it as your fitter directs, wash your hands with plain soap, refill with fresh saline, and try again.

    Can I use hand sanitizer before handling lenses?

    The FDA's advice is to wash your hands. Ask your fitter before using anything else on your hands right before you touch your lenses.

    Can I use eye drops or eye creams with my lenses in?

    Ask your eye care professional first. The FDA advises checking before using any topical eye product, even one you buy without a prescription.

    Keep going

    Guide

    Cleaning and disinfecting scleral lenses

    Every night, rub each side of the lens with your daily cleaner, rinse it, then store it in fresh disinfecting solution in a clean case. Hydrogen peroxide and multipurpose solutions both disinfect, but they're used differently and aren't interchangeable. Use the products your fitter chose, follow the labels, and do any deep cleaning on the schedule they set.

    Guide

    The scleral lens daily routine

    Mornings: wash your hands, inspect and rinse the lenses, fill with preservative-free saline, insert, and empty and air-dry the case. Nights: remove over a towel, rub each side with your cleaner, and store in fresh solution, never topping off. Replace your case every three months.

    Guide

    How to insert a scleral lens

    Fill the lens to the brim with preservative-free saline, look straight down with your face parallel to the floor, hold both lids wide at the lashes, and bring the lens straight up to your eye in one smooth motion. Then check for bubbles every time.

    Guide

    Swimming, showers, and water

    Take your lenses out before swimming, hot tubs, or any time your eyes will be in water, and shower and wash your face before you insert or after you remove them. If water does get on a lens, take it out, then clean and disinfect it fully before wearing it again. Watch your eye, and call your eye care professional if it becomes red, painful, or blurry.

    Sources

    1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Everyday Eye Care (contact lenses). Content current as of December 4, 2023. fda.gov
    2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Contact Lens Solutions and Products. fda.gov
    3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Contact Lens Risks. Content current as of September 4, 2018. fda.gov

    Last updated October 2, 2026. Found an error or a newer study? Let us know and we'll correct the page.