* Salt Content: Salt can disrupt the chemical bonds in some waterproof mascara formulas, causing them to break down or dissolve more readily.
* Rubbing: When swimming in the ocean, people are more likely to rub their eyes due to the salt and potential irritants in the water, which can further remove the mascara.
* Osmosis: Salt water is a hypertonic solution compared to the cells in your skin. This can cause water to be drawn out of your skin and potentially affect the mascara's adhesion.
While both salt water and fresh water can affect waterproof mascara, salt water tends to be more disruptive due to its chemical composition and the higher likelihood of eye irritation and rubbing.