Woodrush eyewash combines a naturally beneficial mixture of isotonic seawater and virgin anti-inflammatory oil, which was developed for the relief of dry eyes. If you are over 40, exposed to pollution, harsh weather conditions or extended screen time, you may benefit from it’s positive effect on your eyes’ tear film.

Dryness of the eyes are mainly caused by (1) insufficient watery liquid in the middle layer of the tear film, or (2) insufficiency in the oily outer layer of the tear film. Woodrush eyewash consists of two components, to efficiently address both these aspects of dry eyes: isotonic seawater and cold pressed Ricinus Communis oil.

Recent research (1, 2, 3) has shown that this oil acts as an effective moisturising agent with a long-lasting effect. It also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects that may help decrease the amount of microbes that can block or inflame the meibomian glands which normally lubricate the eyes, providing long-term relief from the symptoms of Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation). The fatty acids in castor oil, such as ricinoleic acid and triglycerides, might also help to cleanse, moisturize, and hydrate the skin around the eye.

Woodrush Eyewash contains no preservatives or buffering agents; meaning there are no ingredients to irritate your eyes, but you have to shake the mixture before use.

Woodrush Eyewash has a long shelf-life if left unopened. Once opened, it should be used within 12 weeks. It is not necessary for refrigeration, but if kept cold, can be very refreshing in hot weather. Daily use is encouraged until the symptoms disappear, after which it may be used periodically if symptoms reappear.

Directions for use:

Watch the video, or follow these steps:

We suggest washing the eyes at night, just before going to bed. Make sure there is no contact lenses, eye make-up or mascara present. Wash your hands thoroughly, SHAKE WELL, then dispense 3 – 5 ml into the supplied eye bath. Leaning forward, fit the cup snugly over your eye socket, tilt your head back, and gently blink for 5 – 15 seconds. Repeat for both eyes. Gently wipe the solution from your face, taking care not to remove the oily layer from the eye area. Finally, rinse the eye bath and return contents to the box.

Feedback:

If you have used a free sample of Woodrush Eyewash for initial trials, it would be greatly appreciated if you provide feedback here.

The need for Woodrush eye products came from living my dream lifestyle. I was surfing nearly every morning and earning my income by working from home on a remote project. I thought I was living a very balanced life, but my eyes did not agree. I was starting to show the symptoms of dry eye disease, a common malady which affects tens of millions of people worldwide. The skin around my eyes was also showing increased signs of ageing, with new wrinkles and dryness.

The scientist in me starting trying to understand the root cause and when it became clear that it was caused by my “dream lifestyle”, I started looking for natural remedies. My local optometrist and pharmacist confirmed what I feared, namely that the most common active ingredients in off-the-shelf eyedrops are derivatives of the (petro)chemical industry (polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, propylene glycol, carboxymethylcellulose, povidone, glycerine, and mineral oil.) The naturalist in me decided to develop or search for something with wholesome ingredients that I could source locally. At the same time, the engineer in me started to study the eye and I was fascinated by the complexity of these key sensory organs. Even the intricacy of something as simple as tear production had me in wonder of the spherical miracle world I’ve stumbled into.

Fast forward 5 years and by September 2023 I took a sabbatical from my remote work to focus on other matters. By the end of 2024 I had isolated the key ingredients and tested the ratios in the various mixtures. I had also come to the conclusion that an eyewash has benefits over eyedrops, and found the extraordinary benefit of using the eyewash at night- you wake up with wonderfully refreshed eyes!

The key ingredients that were identified during the development period, are virgin castor oil and isotonic seawater.

What is isotonic seawater, you may ask? In simple terms it is clean seawater, filtered to 0.22micron, and reduced from its hypertonic salinity level, to a level that is similar to that of our body liquids. It is chemically very similar to human tears and contains many of the same essential trace elements and electrolytes found in human tears, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

And why castor oil, you may ask? There is a growing body of scientific and anecdotal evidence that have identified virgin castor oil’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it safe for our eyes and also boosts tear film lipids. This has been confirmed by eye drop manufacturers now including this oil in their premium products.

After the testing phase confirmed that the eyewash works consistently and safely, a Class A non-sterile, non-measuring SAHPRA medical device classification was agreed and the first production batch was produced in 2026. Scaling and automation techniques are currently being considered for the next batches.

The South African dry-eye market is dominated by imported pharmacy staples (refresh tears, hyaluronic drops, saline sprays and the like) as well as a few premium natural entrants (Quinton, Marimer). Woodrush Seawash is different: it is local, natural and has a unique application method with dual-action science.

Woodrush Eyedrops contain the same ingredients as the eyewash, but with a slightly smaller oily component. If you have used a free sample of Woodrush Eyedrops for initial trials, it would be greatly appreciated if you provide feedback here.