No, you should avoid wearing eye makeup if you have conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, until the infection clears. While makeup is not usually the cause of your infection or irritation, it may carry the bacteria or virus from one eye to the other.

You should discard the eye makeup you were using before the infection and replace it with new products.

Once the conjunctivitis clears, you can start using makeup again in about 2 weeks, although that might vary depending on your type of infection. The American Academy of Opthalmology recommends allowing more time for your eye to heal if you have epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC).

EKC is highly transmissible, usually affects both eyes, and might take 2 to 4 weeks to resolve. You can apply makeup again after 2 weeks but try to wait longer if you’re still experiencing redness or inflammation.

While you’re experiencing symptoms, consider the following tips:

  • washing your hands frequently
  • discontinuing contact lens wear
  • changing towels and pillowcases every day
  • not sharing items of personal hygiene with others

How you treat pink eye depends on your specific infection. There are three types of conjunctivitis, or pink eye:

  • Viral pink eye: Most cases of viral pink eye will clear in about 7 to 14 days without additional medications. However, a doctor might prescribe antivirals for more severe cases, such as those caused by the herpes simplex virus or the varicella-zoster virus. As a virus causes viral pink eye, it will get better without antibiotics.
  • Bacterial pink eye: Mild bacterial pink eye might clear in 2 to 5 days without any treatment, although it can take up to 2 weeks to go away completely. Antibiotics may be necessary for more severe cases, such as when there’s discharge (pus) or your doctor suspects certain bacteria are involved.
  • Allergic pink eye: Allergens cause allergic pink eye, and removing exposure to that allergen should typically resolve it. Allergy medications or certain eye drops can provide relief.

Don’t hesitate to contact a doctor or healthcare professional for more information, and reach out to an eye doctor if you experience eye pain, light sensitivity, or blurry vision.