Thought It Was Medication but Put Cosmetics in Eyes... Agency Recommends Improvements for Artificial Tear-Like Cosmetic Containers

21 Cases of Mistaken Eye Application in the Past Five Years, Including Cosmetic Confusion
Korea Consumer Agency Recommends Production Halt for Three Companies, Container Improvement for One

As incidents continue to occur in which ampoule and serum cosmetics, which are visually similar to single-use artificial tears, are mistaken and applied to the eye, the Korea Consumer Agency has initiated an improvement campaign for relevant products.

The Korea Consumer Agency announced on August 4, 2026, that, after surveying cosmetics sold on major online platforms, it identified four products with packaging similar to single-use artificial tears and recommended that the distributors suspend sales and improve product containers. Three companies presented plans to discontinue production, while one company submitted plans to improve its container design.

According to the agency, from January 2021 to June 2026, a total of 21 misapplication incidents involving artificial tears were reported to the Consumer Injury Surveillance System (CISS). Of these, four cases—making up 19 percent of the total—involved cosmetics such as serums or ampoules that were mistaken for artificial tears. In February this year, there was also a reported incident in which a moisturizing serum was mistaken for artificial tears and applied to the eyes, resulting in ocular injury. The product in that case was found to have a container design similar to a transparent disposable artificial tear vial.

Products for which the Korea Consumer Agency has recommended container improvements or sales suspension. Provided by the Korea Consumer Agency.

When the Korea Consumer Agency surveyed serum and ampoule products sold on major platforms such as Naver, Coupang, Gmarket, and 11st, it found that while these companies displayed notices stating that the products were "cosmetics, not pharmaceuticals" on their packaging or the online sales page, it was difficult to find such warnings on the individual containers themselves.

The products for which the agency recommended container improvement or sales suspension were: Anua "PDRN Hyaluronic Capsule 100 Serum," Rire "PDRN Glutathione 2X Ampoule," Jayjun Cosmetic "PDRN Porcelain Ampoule," and Medicube "PDRN Pink One Day Whitening Serum."

Among these, The Founders (operator of Anua), IW Company (operator of Rire), and APR (operator of Medicube) announced plans to discontinue production of the relevant products, while Jayjun Cosmetic submitted a plan to enhance container design.

Experts explain that when surfactants and preservatives contained in serums and ampoules come into direct contact with the eyes, they can cause corneal irritation, toxic conjunctivitis, or corneal epithelial damage. If cosmetics are mistakenly applied to the eyes as artificial tears, immediate rinsing with plenty of running water is recommended, followed by examination by an ophthalmologist.

The Korea Consumer Agency urges consumers to always check the labeling on containers before use and to avoid using such products in poorly lit environments. In addition, if cosmetics are accidentally introduced into the eye, consumers are advised to rinse immediately with water and seek medical attention from a specialist.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.