Reports are coming out of people complaining of eye irritation, tearing, and eye discomfort related to minty lip balms or even gum and breath mints while wearing a mask.
According to doctors, the peppermint oil or menthol, depending on the product, will get trapped under the mask in a concentrated amount and migrate toward the eyes, causing irritation. When mint can dissipate in the open air, it’s no big deal, but when it’s concentrated under your mask and makes its way to the delicate eye area through the space between your nose and the top of the mask it can result in red, irritated, itchy, and watery eyes.
You don’t want to be touching your face or your eyes when you are out and about in a pandemic -- so skip the minty stuff when you’re wearing a mask.
Source: (Women’s Health)