I recently met Amy Gallant Sullivan, the CEO and Founder of Boston-based bio-beauty startup ÈSSIRI Labs. It was great to meet a fellow eye geek. As passionate as I am about Preventative Eye Care, she is just as passionate about the Tear film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS)– a global initiative dedicated to the cross-pollination of biotech, life sciences and technology- which she leads with her father, Dr. David A Sullivan, a former associate professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. We are both propelling a eye health revolution to raise awareness about eye health! Me with Preventative Eye Care. And her with ÈYES ARE THE STORY, the first globally recognized Opto-cosmetics brand focused on eye heath and rooted in safe-eye science.
Amy and I both grew up steeped in science, medicine and the discussion of everything eyes. Her father, Dr. David A. Sullivan, is a world-renowned PhD scientist and professor of Ophthalmology whose life’s research focuses on immunology and ophthalmology, and particularly how this relates to Ocular Surface Disease. My mother, Dr. Haiyan Gong, is a world-renown PhD scientist and professor of Ophthalmology whose life’s research focuses on finding a treatment for Glaucoma. We both grew up in families that talked about eyes around the dinner table in the Boston suburbs where being a smart nerd was celebrated not ridiculed. Amy went to Acton-Boxborough High School, who were my track rivals at Lexington High School. As eye geeks leading eye health revolutions, we have eerily similar backstories.
Today, Amy’s mission is to educate women of the dangers of toxic beauty. In 2016, she founded Dry Eye Diva, a profession-bridging eyecare collab educating clinicians and patients. For the last 7 years, Amy has lobbied the U.S. Congress for increased funding for Dry Eye Research during Dry Eye Awareness month in July. Her goal is to educate global audiences on an array of eye wellness topics.
Every day our bodies and eyes are assaulted by harmful invisible toxins- from atmospheric pollution to food toxicity to all the chemicals in all the products we use. Studies show that eyes suffer multiple adverse reactions to makeup and skincare, including ocular irritation, blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, allergies and dry eye disease. Now we can consciously protect them with this new breed of Opto-cosmetic products created based on peer-reviewed research by global experts in the field of vision health, uniquely formulated for sensitive eyes, contact lens users, and sufferers of dry eye and digital eye strain (which is pretty much all my patients).
Blurring the lines between beauty and Pharma, Amy created an intellectually sleek brand ethos that aims to preserve the homeostasis of the eyes. Having worked in the field of ocular surface disease for 20 years, she discovered an unmet need for eye-friendly products that maintain ocular surface homeostasis and do not compromise eye health. Her products are also vegan, cruelty free, and formulated according to EU regulations, banning more than 1300 ingredients frequently found in mainstream cosmetics.
The full collection of ÈYES ARE THE STORY is available online and sold exclusively in select eyecare and dermatology practices throughout North America, which will soon include mine! Amy is building out a self-care ecosystem that fuses safe beauty, hormonal health, eye nutrition, ocular hygiene and digital eye awareness, and I am excited to be a part of it. Mainly so I can bug her whenever I discover a new product that claims to be good for eye health and she can send me PubMed articles about all the ingredients it contains that is bad for the ocular surface (which basically describes our current relationship).
Amy is such a perfectionist and so selective about what ingredients are safe enough for her products that she only has 5 products right now, and one of them is completely sold out. This really limits my makeup options.
“I’m working on more products” Amy assured me.
“What can I use in the meantime?” I asked her after grilling her for hours about what can kill demodex mites without harming the rest of the ocular surface.
“I mean… What should I recommend to my patients in the meantime?”
“Nothing!” She replied. “That’s the whole point! I couldn’t find any products that I thought were safe enough for eyes so I had to make my own!”
Great… so these are the only products deemed by Amy to be safe enough for your eyes. And based on the wealth of ocular surface knowledge that she possesses as the Executive Director of the Tear film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) and her ability to recite findings from Ocular Surface Disease PubMed articles off the top of her head, I trust her judgement.
DESCRIPTION
Developed for daily ocular hygiene, this ultra-soft towelette infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Calendula and Aloe, removes Eye Proof eye makeup and refreshes strained and tired eyes without leaving deposits of tissue fibers or greasy residue.
HOW TO USE
Wash your hands thoroughly and open the sachet for a moist wipe. Eyes closed, place the wipe over the eyelid and lashed and gently massage until the entire eye area is thoroughly cleansed. Use an individual wipe for each eye to avoid cross-contamination. For best results, follow with Eye Proof Facial Cleanser.
Precautions:
–Avoid contact in eyes
–Do not reuse
WHAT’S IN
WHAT’S OUT
INGREDIENTS
Aloe Vera, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium Phosphate Dodecahydrate, Edetate Disodium, Glycerin, Glycol Calendula Extract, Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate Monohydrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Water.
DESCRIPTION
Purifying bio-botanical cleansing gel awakens skin clean and clear with a potent cocktail of antioxidants and phytonutrients. Olive Leaf Extract synergizes with Vitamin C+K-packed Trigonella foenum-graecum to melt away dirt, impurities and makeup. Glow-inducing Resveratrol kicks in to repair and plump, leaving your skin radiant and nourished, while protecting precious skin barrier and sensitive eyes. Gentle enough to use every morning and night.
HOW TO USE
With eyes closed, apply 2-3 pumps of cleansing gel to damp skin with fingertips or sponge, using circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Precautions:
Avoid contact in eyes
WHAT’S IN
WHAT’S OUT
INGREDIENTS
Citric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Polyquaternium-10, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract, Water (Aqua/Eau).
DESCRIPTION
Revitalizing bio-botanical serum multitasks from eye-to-face, quenching skin’s daily thirst for hydration and replenishment. High molecular weight Sodium Hyaluronate, microencapsulated Resveratrol and polyphenol-rich Olive Leaf Extract work synergistically to plump, nourish and repair with every application.
HOW TO USE
Apply 2-3 pumps on well-cleansed skin, gently massage with fingertips. Allow serum to settle before makeup application. For best results, use every morning and at bedtime.
Precautions:
Avoid contact in eyes
WHAT’S IN
WHAT’S OUT
INGREDIENTS
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lecithin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Pullulan, Resveratrol, Sclerotium Gum, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tricaprylin, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract, Vegetable Oil (Olus/Huile Vegetale), Water (Aqua/Eau), Xanthan Gum.
DESCRIPTION
Define your eye drama with our naughtily noir precision liner, encased in a sleek felt-tipped pen. Enjoy a creep-free, easy glide—from the thinnest of lines to the boldest strokes.
HOW TO USE
Starting from desired point of eye, use controlled, small sweeps to draw a precise line along lash line. For a sleek thin line, use pointed felt tip. For a more intense and the unmistakable cateye, draw an outline with the pointed tip and fill in with the flat side of pen.
Precautions:
–Avoid contact in eyes
–Remove before sleep
–Never apply while driving
–Never moisten with saliva or H2O
–Never share
WHAT’S IN
WHAT’S OUT
INGREDIENTS
1,2-Hexanediol , Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Black 2 (Ci 77266), Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Iron Oxide (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Laureth-21, Laureth-4, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polyester-5, Propanediol, Pvp, Water (Aqua/Eau),
DESCRIPTION
Flake-free mascara is formulated to protect, strengthen and extend lashes for a natural and elegant look, whilst keeping eye comfort in mind. Intense Noir pigment and creamy texture meld with our anti-clumping brush to volumize lashes, keeping them healthy and lifted. Each set comes with three mini mascaras, intentionally designed to help minimize contamination and bacteria build-up, traditionally caused by overuse of the same mascara wand over long periods of time.
HOW TO USE
Apply one coat for fully defined lashes. Layer extra coats for more volume. Keep application away from the water line.
Precautions:
–Avoid contact in eyes
–Remove before sleep
–Never apply while driving
–Never moisten with saliva or H2O
–Never share
–Replace monthly
WHAT’S IN
WHAT’S OUT
INGREDIENTS
1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Beeswax (Cera Alba/Cire D’Abeille), Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax (Cera Carnauba/Cire De Carnauba), Dimethicone, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Rosinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Laureth-21, Microcrystalline Wax, Nylon-66, Paraffin, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate, Stearyl Stearate, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891,) Tocopheryl Acetate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Water (Aqua/Eau).
Here are some interviews that Amy has done with other doctors:
*Financial Disclosures: None. Still no sponsorships… just a preventative eye care blog based on my own well-educated beliefs.
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Thank you for sharing "The Story"!
Amy