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Dry Skin Around Eyes: Causes, Treatment, And Prevention
07/23/20238 min read
Does the skin around your eyes look a little piqued? Are your eyelids or undereye area flaky, scaly, or rough? Dry skin around the eyes is a common condition that can make you feel self-conscious and not your best.
In this article, we’ll tell you what causes the condition and how to treat and prevent it. With a bit of extra attention, the skin around your eyes will look and feel better in no time.
Table Of Contents
Dry Skin Around Eyes: Causes
There are many potential causes for dry skin around your eyes. Let’s take a look at some of the more common reasons for this condition.
Aging
One reason you might be experiencing dry skin around your eyes is that you’re getting older. As your skin matures, it produces less sebum — your skin’s natural oil — which may lead to dryness.
Eczema
Eczema is another possible cause of dry skin. An estimated 30% of the U.S. population suffers from this condition. Eczema can cause dry, scaly, and itchy skin anywhere on your body, including around your eyes.
Types of eczema include atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is the most common and is a chronic condition that often starts in childhood. It tends to flare up periodically, causing itchy, sore, and painful skin.
Contact dermatitis is caused by either an allergic reaction or coming into contact with an irritant. Cosmetics are often the cause of contact dermatitis around the eyes, as are soaps and detergents.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a type of eczema that causes the skin to be inflamed and flakey. Although it usually affects the scalp, it can also affect other areas, including the eyebrows and eyelids. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you may see yellowish scales around your eyelashes.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a chronic condition that causes red, itchy, and dry skin around the eyes due to inflammation of the eyelids. Your eyelid and eyelashes may appear crusty, while eyelid skin appears swollen and flakey.
Conjunctivitis
Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is the inflammation of your eye thanks to a virus, bacteria, or other allergen. Conjunctivitis has been known to both cause dry skin around the eyes and be caused by dry skin.
Ocular Rosacea
Ocular rosacea — a condition that causes flare-ups of red skin on the face — may lead to dry skin under and around the eyes, as well as redness, burning, and itching of the eyes themselves.
Medications
Certain medications can cause dryness around your eyes. These can include statins, antihistamines, acne medication, and diuretics.
Harsh Temperatures
If you’re in a particularly cold region, this will increase the chances of getting dry skin around your eyes. Eyes are harder to protect in cold weather, and therefore the skin around them is more vulnerable to the elements.
Lack of Moisture
If your house is too dry or you’re in the air conditioning too much, your skin will feel it. A lack of moisture in the air could be what’s causing the dry skin around your eyes.
Nutrient Deficiency
The skin around your eyes might be dry thanks to a nutrient deficiency, as the vitamins and minerals you take in are directly related to the quality of your skin.
If you’re not getting enough Vitamin A, Vitamin C, or Vitamin D this could be contributing to the condition.
Dry Skin Around Eyes: Treatment
Moisturize
First, you’ll want to moisturize the skin around your eyes liberally, being careful not to get any product in your eyes. Look for ingredients such as almond oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera to soothe and nourish your skin.
Sleep More
Sleeping more can help your body’s natural repair processes kick in and address dry skin around your eyes. Be sure to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
Avoid Irritating Products
If the skin around your eyes is dry and uncomfortable, you want to make sure you’re not using any product that irritates them further. This may mean laying off the retinols (or anything else with strong ingredients) for a while.
Use A Humidifier
Adding water to the air with a humidifier is a good way to treat your dry skin.
Avoid Hot Showers And Baths
Trade in the hot water for tepid when you take your shower or bath, as hot water is drying to the skin.
Treat Your Eczema
If the dry skin around your eyes is due to eczema on your face, you’ll want to treat the condition as recommended by your doctor. Try reducing stress, watching your diet, and using soothing and hydrating products to soothe eczema around your eyes.
A great option is Bodewell Daily Calming Cream, which is deeply hydrating without feeling greasy. Our proprietary botanical formula can help relieve eczema itch and irritation. If you’re traveling, try our travel version so you can find relief on the go!
Avoid Allergens
Just like you should avoid irritating products, it’s also important to avoid any known allergens that will further exacerbate your condition.
Dry Skin Around Eyes: Prevention
Preventing dry skin around the eyes is all about keeping up healthy habits. Let’s take a look.
Maintain A Good Skincare Routine
A good daily skincare routine is key to keeping your biggest organ looking its best. This includes a gentle cleanser to wash away dirt and oil every day without irritating your skin.
You’ll also need a daily moisturizing cream for your eye area. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, glycerin, shea butter, and mineral oil to add extra moisture to your skin.
Tip: When washing your face or applying products, always use a light hand and avoid rubbing or tugging the skin around your eyes, as the skin is thin and delicate.
Use Sunscreen
Any time you’re out in the sun, you’ll want to be sure to wear sunscreen. Sun is both drying and damaging to your skin, as the UV rays can break down collagen and elastin.
Although many people forget, it’s important to apply sunscreen to the delicate skin around your eyes and on your eyelids as well. Dab it on carefully to avoid getting it into your eyes, and reapply it throughout the day.
Don’t Smoke
In addition to its other adverse effects on your body, smoking is drying to the skin and can cause premature aging. Just say no.
Limit Alcohol
If you’re trying to prevent dry skin around your eyes, you’ll want to reach for a glass of water instead of an alcoholic drink. Alcohol can cause premature aging by reducing your skin’s elasticity and drying it out.
Eat Well
Focus on antioxidant-rich foods when you eat, including fresh fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, and nuts. You’ll also want to steer clear of any processed foods, as they are no friend to your skin.
Hydrate Often
Hydrating from the inside is even more important than applying your moisturizer — but of course, it’s important to do both. Drinking eight glasses of water a day will help prevent dry skin around your eyes and everywhere else.
Eye Love My Skin!
In this article, we’ve told you what might be causing the dry skin around your eyes and how to treat it, from amping up the moisturizer and tweaking your daily routine to cranking up the humidifier.
If eczema is at the root of the dry skin around your eyes, Bodewell is right here to help. Our Daily Calming Cream can help soothe and hydrate dry skin caused by eczema.
With Bodewell by your side, you can face the world with beautiful, healthy-looking skin!
Sources
American Academy of Dermatology American Optometric Association Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Health
