Putting kajal in a child's eyes makes the eyes bigger and clearer.

fact_checkWhat experts say

• infoKajal does not make a child's eyes grow bigger. The dark colour around the eye only makes the eyes look bigger, especially in photos; the eye itself stays the same.23
• infoKajal does not make the eyes clear, stronger or better at seeing. How well a child sees depends on how the eye and the brain grow, not on any eye cosmetic.23
• infoMany kajal, surma and kohl products contain a lot of lead. In some kajal, most of the weight is lead itself.1456
• infoLead from kajal reaches a child's body through the eyes and hands and keeps building up inside. This can harm the brain and the blood and cause fits.1456
• infoSharing one kajal stick or pot between children, or applying it with dirty fingers, can spread eye infection and cause allergy and burning in the eyes.234

lightbulbWhy people believe it

Kajal is put on with love, to protect the child from nazar and to make the eyes look beautiful. Elders in the family have always done it, and the dark line really does make eyes look bigger in photos, so the belief feels true.

checklistWhat to do

• check_circleDo not put kajal, surma or kohl on a child's eyes.145
• check_circleIf you want to keep the family tradition, put the mark somewhere else, like behind the ear or on the foot, not on the eyes.23
• check_circleIf kajal has been used on a child, ask a doctor to get the child's lead level checked.15
• check_circleNever share one kajal stick or pot between children, and wash your hands before touching a child's eyes.234

menu_bookSources

1. 1Childhood Lead Exposure Associated with the Use of Kajal, an Eye Cosmetic from Afghanistan — Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2013cdc.govopen_in_new
2. 2Is Kajal Safe for Babies' Eyes? What Doctors Saydragarwal.comopen_in_new
3. 3FACT CHECK: Is kajal safe for babies’ eyes? Doctors break down the science of lead and infectiontheweek.inopen_in_new
4. 4Kajal (Kohl) – A dangerous cosmeticnih.govopen_in_new
5. 5Kohl, Kajal, Al-Kahal, Surma, Tiro, Tozali, or Kwalli: By Any Name, Beware of Lead Poisoningfda.govopen_in_new
6. 6Infant Lead Poisoning Associated with Use of Tiro, an Eye Cosmetic from Nigeria — Boston, Massachusetts, 2011cdc.govopen_in_new

Updated 28 Sep 2026