Eyeliners are products that apply color to the area around the eyes to accent and highlight appearance of the eyes. Eyeliners are used to emphasize the eyelids and/or to change the perceived shape of the eyes. They contain special ingredients that apply color where it is needed in a precise and controlled manner. The products are specially formulated to ensure that potentially harmful microorganisms cannot grow and multiply. The safety of Eyeliners is established by selection of ingredients that are safe and suitable for this purpose. In addition, Eyeliners are assessed for their potential to cause skin irritation or cause allergic reactions. Product safety is also established though strict adherence to the principles of Quality Assurance and Good Manufacturing Practices. This includes testing the compatibility of the product with packaging as well as shelf-life stability. The FDA has issued an alert for Eye Makeup products such as kohl, kajal, al-kahl, or surma, typically applied as Eyeliner. These traditional Eye Makeup products often contain lead and are not permitted in any cosmetic or personal care product in the U.S.
Link to FDA alert regarding kohl, kajal, al-kahl, or surma.
Finally, the safety of products is monitored in the market-place to track any reports of consumer injury. Companies include a phone number on their products where comments or complaints may be reported.