As we age, the skin around our eyes can start to become dry and irritable. This is because when time passes, our collagen and elastin production decreases which reduce the moisture in the area.
On top of this, environmental changes from hot to cold temperatures can also cause flaky or itchy skin under and around the eyes. What’s more, once left untreated dryness tends to get worse as wrinkles form due these elements.
If you’re starting to recognize signs such as redness or tightness that often signify dryness around your eye-area then it’s important for us all not only to understand why but also learn effective strategies for treating them.
In this article I will provide a comprehensive examination about why protection/treatment of delicate skin is so important along with helpful tips on how best tackle cases of sensitive eye-care from different angles – including dealing with allergies and eczema flare-ups – so readers of every background have access useful advice on how coordinate an individual approach toward tackling their own specific concerns surrounding delicate eyelid scrubbing! Knowing these insights could help you obtain healthier looking beautiful lids!
Key Takeaways
- Aging, harsh weather, and certain skin and eye conditions such as eczema can lead to the formation of dry skin around the eyes.
- Common symptoms associated with this condition are redness, flakiness, itchiness, tightness and puffiness.
- Home remedies like moisturizing often using lotions formulated specifically for that part of your face or eating antioxidant-rich foods including drinking enough water can help reduce symptoms of dry skin around the eyes.
- In more severe cases it is advisable to seek medical attention for tailored treatment options suited to a particular condition.
Causes of Dry Skin Around Eyes
There are various factors that can contribute to dry skin around eyes, including aging, harsh weather conditions, and certain skin and eye conditions like eczema, atopic dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and blepharitis.
Aging
As we age, it’s natural for our skin to lose its elasticity and start to show signs of dryness. This is even more evident in the delicate skin around the eyes, which gets thinner and more prone to dryness over time.
During this process, the production of hyaluronic acid, sebum, collagen, and elastin slows down significantly– making it easier for water loss from our bodies (their main function) and consequent dehydration of the area around our eyes.
On top of that, with aging there’s also decreased fat beneath the skin that worsens thinning as well as reduced moisture-binding abilities due to decrease in oil present on your eyelids – all these factors can contribute further to excessive dryness around your eyes leading to uncomfortable flakiness or redness.
Harsh weather
Harsh weather, such as cold, windy, and dry conditions in the winter season can have a damaging effect on our skin. This is particularly true for delicate areas of our body, like the skin around our eyes.
The area has very little sebum and naturally loses moisture faster than other parts of your face. When exposed to harsh weather elements like wind and cold temperatures that draw out the skin’s natural oils which shields it from further dehydration then this can cause irritation or discomfort—especially if you already have sensitive or dry skin under your eyes.
To protect your eye area against harsh weather factors which strips away vital moisture needed by more vulnerable facial areas then try these tips: moisturize frequently (apply during humid days) with an alcohol-free nourishing cream; wear sun protection when outdoors; give yourself some added protection by wearing a scarf over your face in extreme momentary heat; lastly, apply Aquaphor before going outside to help hold in existing moisture while locking out environmental intruders.
Skin conditions (eczema, atopic dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, contact dermatitis)
Seeing dry, itchy, and inflamed skin around your eyes can be a sign of an underlying SKIN condition. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is very common in adults and children and often affects the face—including areas around the eyes.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is another inflammatory SKIN condition that causes itchy flaky patches on oily parts of the body like eyelids or chin. Contact dermatitis occurs when the Skin comes into direct contact with an irritant—like makeup or allergies to pollen—that triggers inflammation.
For those who suffer from any type of eczema, maintaining proper moisture levels is key for controlling flare-ups which can lead to cracked and dry skin around your eyes. Additionally, you should avoid harsh soaps or makeup removers which irritate sensitive skin even further.
Eye conditions (blepharitis, conjunctivitis)
Blepharitis and conjunctivitis are two common eye conditions that cause dry skin around the eyes. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids and it can occur even in healthy people.
It is linked to bacteria, allergies, rosacea, and dry eyes; along with its many symptoms such as redness, itchiness, flaking of skin on lashes, swollen eyelids and watering eyes. Conjunctivitis on the other hand is also known as ‘’pink eye” caused by either a viral or bacterial infection of the outermost layer of your eyeball.
Symptoms associated with this condition include redness , irritation , swelling watery discharge from your eyes.
Although both these conditions present similar symptoms they require distinct treatment options considering their causes. Home remedies like warm compresses help reduce inflammation caused by blepharites while conjunctivities may require prescription medications if not treated properly leading to painful blurry vision lasting for weeks or months.
This emphasizes why seeking professional help should be considered early especially if home remedies do not show significant improvement over time. To prevent chronic dry skin related issues one could keep up their facial hygiene routine to maintain moisture balance around delicate areas like under our eyes.
Symptoms of Dry Skin Around the Eyes
Common signs of dry skin around the eyes include redness, flakiness, itchiness, tightness and puffiness. Read on to find out what treatments may help.
Redness
Redness around the eyes is a common symptom associated with dry skin. The eyes and the area surrounding them are highly sensitive, making them more prone to becoming red and irritated when skin becomes dry or damaged.
Cold weather, harsh soaps, pollutants in the air, and other environmental factors can cause this delicate area of skin to become dehydrated. Another frequent culprit for redness around the eye is eczema.
This condition causes extremely itchy and inflamed patches of skin that may also be accompanied by redness in those affected. People with eye conditions such as blepharitis or conjunctivitis may also experience inflammation in their tear ducts which can lead to an increase of blood flow into the surrounding areas such as eyelids creates a visible reddening effect there too.
In addition to being unsightly and uncomfortable, unchecked dryness around the eyes can lead to other issues such as deeper cracks in very severe cases that will bleed if not treated correctly.
Flakiness
The skin around the eyes is delicate—it’s thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your face, so it can easily become dry or flaky. Aging, harsh weather and various skin conditions such as eczema, atopic dermatitis or blepharitis can also contribute to flakiness in this area.
Symptoms may include redness, itchiness, tightness and noticeable flakes of the delicate eyelid skin. To restore hydration and nourishment to fragile eye area skin, you should start by using a gentle cleanser formulated for sensitive facial areas.
Avoid rubbing your eyes when washing them; patting carefully with a damp cloth will be gentler on tender skin. Also try applying a light moisturizer specially designed for use around the eyelids throughout the day as needed to keep your eye area hydrated without creating any excess oil or shine across forehead and cheeks.
Itchiness
The most common symptom of dry skin around the eyes is itching. Itchiness is usually caused by the breakdown in the skin’s ability to hold moisture, making it more vulnerable to irritants such as rough fabrics and harsh weather conditions.
Additionally, certain skin conditions including eczema, atopic dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and contact dermatitis can also cause itchiness around the eyes. Moreover, earlier-stage eye conditions such as blepharitis and conjunctivits may lead to itchy eyes as well.
As these can worsen over time it is important to seek medical advice if symptoms persist or seem severe. Fortunately, there are a number of simple home remedies that can be used in combination with daily moisturizing to help soothe an itchy eye area and reduce severe symptoms like redness and puffiness too.
Tightness
One of the most discomforting symptoms associated with dry skin around the eyes is a feeling of tightness, especially when blinking or moving the eyes. This symptom arises because the thin and sensitive skin around our eyelids is more prone to dry out and lose moisture than other parts of the face, leading to flaking and itching scalp-like patches that can be painful or uncomfortable.
In addition to this, as we age our skin loses its natural moisture content due to collagen breakdown which further contributes towards tightening in this area. Aside from aging, conditions such as eczema and atopic dermatitis can also be responsible for exacerbating dryness around the eye area while environmental factors like extreme temperatures can further worsen matters.
To combat tightening in such scenarios, one can start by using mild cleansers specifically formulated for use near eyes rather than harsh soap-based cleansers; hydrating the eye area regularly with ointments; avoiding exposure to windy conditions without proper protection; moisturizing frequently throughout day; applying warm compresses if needed by saturating soft cloths with lukewarm water; avoiding rubbing and touching infected areas unless it’s part of treatment prescribed by physician etc.
Puffiness
Puffiness around the eyes is often an indicator of dry skin, which can be caused by a variety of factors. One major cause is aging, as your skin matures it becomes thinner and more delicate.
This means that the skin around your eyes may lose moisture quicker than the rest of your face, resulting in puffiness or bags under the eyes. Eczema and other skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis around the eye area can also accelerate this process; eye conditions like blepharitis can also lead to dryness in this area.
Environmental changes – from extreme cold to harsh winds – as well as exposure to certain irritants can all cause dryness near your eyes leading to redness, itchiness, flakiness and puffiness.
To prevent this from happening be sure you’re using a gentle facial cleanser when washing your face and avoid expose yourself to harsh products – including makeup remover! Make sure you are moisturizing daily with lotion specifically designed for sensitive areas such as those near the eyes too since these require special attention due their thin layer of protection.
Treatment Options and Skincare
There are a variety of treatments available to address dry skin around the eyes, from home remedies to over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments. Keep reading to learn more about which option may be best for you!
Home remedies
As dry skin around the eyes can be a symptom of many different conditions, it’s important to first identify the cause in order to effectively treat it. Fortunately, there are several home remedies that can often help provide relief from dry eyelids and other symptoms associated with the condition:
- Warm compresses: While symptoms are present, warm compresses can help alleviate discomfort and reduce redness or puffiness in the area.
- Gentle facial cleanser: Using a mild facial cleanser or specially formulated eye-safe product helps remove dirt, makeup, and debris without irritating delicate skin around the eyes even further.
- Moisturize: When treating flaky eyelids try using an oil-free moisturizer specifically designed for your face twice daily – once after cleansing and again before bedtime – so as not to clog pores while boosting hydration levels of fragile skin where necessary.
- Essential oils massage: if you suspect eczema is at hand then massage could provide additional benefit by loosening any scales present due to seborrhea (dry) dermatitis over eyelids which appear scaly/red/inflamed; seek advice on type of oil suitable for this application from aromatherapy professionals before use as very dilute solution required near sensitive eye area (elderberry recommended).
Over-the-counter creams and ointments
- Moisturizers: Often contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and plant oils that help to attract and lock in moisture.
- Corticosteroids: These medications can be used to reduce inflammation or irritation caused by chronic skin conditions such as eczema or atopic dermatitis. Certain OTC corticosteroid products are appropriate for use around the eyes when prescribed by a doctor.
- Antihistamines: Commonly available over-the-counter antihistamines, such as Benadryl, may also provide relief from itchiness associated with dry skin around the eyes.
- Petroleum jelly and mineral oil: These thick emollients help form a protective barrier on the surface of the skin to prevent irritants from entering and causing further dryness.
Prescription medications
Some prescription medications may contribute to the development of dry skin around the eyes. Statins and diuretics are examples of medications that can cause the skin to become excessively dry.
Other common culprits include antihistamines, eye drops, and antidepressants. These drugs sometimes interfere with natural moisture production processes in our body, leading to a decrease in hydration levels in thin areas, such as the skin around our eyes.
Moreover, they can also break down collagen and elastin proteins which help keep our skin firm and supple—causing it to look dull or aged over time. It’s important that anyone taking these types of medication speak with their doctor about how best to manage side effects including persistently dry skin on their eyelids or other areas around their face.
Prevention Techniques of Flaky Skin
To help prevent dry skin around your eyes, be sure to use a gentle facial cleanser and avoid any harsh skin products. Additionally, it’s important to protect your skin from harsh weather conditions with appropriate attire and proper moisturizing.
Using a gentle facial cleanser
A gentle facial cleanser is one of the essential steps that should be included in any skin care routine. Not only does it help remove dirt, oil, and makeup buildup from the day before, but it can also help prevent dryness around the eyes by providing added moisture.
Look for a cleanser with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin to keep the area hydrated and protected – this will practice barrier-supporting ingredients so your skin doesn’t lose any more moisture than necessary.
Additionally, use lukewarm water when washing your face and stick to gentle strokes as vigorous scrubbing could exacerbate flakiness in the delicate eye area. By choosing a mild soap-free formula that nourishes rather than strips away at natural oils you can save your delicate under eyes from further damage!
Avoiding harsh skin products
Harsh skin products can contribute to dryness around the eyes. Products such as toners, astringents, and acne medications may contain ingredients that strip moisture from sensitive eyelid skin and worsen dryness.
In order to prevent and treat dry skin around the eyes, it is important to choose gentle facial cleansers such as a mild foaming or milky type of cleanser designed for sensitive areas of the face.
It is key to avoid any products with alcohol or fragrances which can irritate delicate eye area skin further. Excessive rubbing of the eyes due to itchiness as a result of this condition should also be avoided in orderavoid worsening the already sensitizing environment caused by harsh product use.
Protecting skin from harsh weather
It is important to be extra mindful of the skin around your eyes during these times, as harsh weather can cause dryness and irritation. To protect the delicate eye area from cold winds and air temperatures, use petroleum or cream-based moisturizers instead of lotions – they will form a better barrier for keeping in moisture.
Also make sure to apply Vaseline® Jelly regularly, as this will add an extra layer of protection against irritated skin. Finally, don’t forget about sunscreen! Applying it every day isn’t only important for protecting yourself from UV radiation but also helps keep other elements from damaging the skin.
So make sure you have one with at least SPF 30 broad spectrum coverage if possible when heading out into colder climates so that your eyes stay protected all winter long!
Proper moisturizing
Moisturizing is essential for keeping the sensitive skin around your eyes hydrated and protected. Using a gentle facial cleanser, avoiding harsh skin products, and protecting yourself from the extremes of weather can help prevent dryness.
If you find that your eye area becomes dry or red, consider investing in an ointment or cream moisturizer specifically formulated to be used around the delicate eye area. Creams typically contain more emollients than lotions—making them better suited for treating severely dry skin—while ointments have greater occlusive properties, meaning they’re able to trap moisture better and form a stronger barrier against environmental irritants like sun and wind.
Regular face moisturizers are usually not suitable for use near the eyes since this area tends to be thinner than other parts of our face; instead look for one labeled as an “eye cream” as these are designed especially for this purpose.
When to Seek Professional Help
If the discomfort and symptoms of dry skin around the eyes are severe or do not improve with home remedies, seeking professional medical help is always recommended.
Severe symptoms
Dry skin around the eyes can cause extreme discomfort and results in symptoms such as redness, scaliness, itching, burning, and puffiness. Without proper management of the condition these can further worsen leading to more severe outward signs such as discolorations from scarring or increased sensitivity towards cosmetic products.
Sjögren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disorder), lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and rosacea are common medical conditions that can lead to an exacerbation of dry eye symptoms making it essential for those suffering with any underlying health condition to stay vigilant about managing potential flare ups.
Severe cases should not be left untreated and if persistent seeking out professional help is encouraged when home remedies fail to alleviate the uncomfortable sensations associated with dry skin around the eyes.
Underlying medical conditions
Unfortunately, for some people, dry skin around the eyes may be triggered by medical issues. Certain health conditions can cause a decrease in tear production or other changes to the eye area which lead to dryness and irritation.
Examples of this include Sjögren’s syndrome, allergic eye disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, graft vs. host diseaseand sarcoidosis. These diseases all have an impact on the natural tears produced by your eyes and how well they protect your sensitive skin from irritants and moisture loss.
In addition to these chronic conditions that affect tear production or provide inflammation which leads directly to dry skin around the eyes; medical situations such as diabetes or rosacea can also play a role in drying out delicate eye areas.
As it is quite common for underlying medical problems not only contributing but leading specifically too dry enflamed skin around our fragile eyes understanding what we might be facing is essential for best treatments over time especially if severe symptoms arise or home remedies do not work accordingly.
Lack of improvement with home remedies
Unfortunately, home remedies may not always be sufficient to treat dry skin around the eyes. It is especially important for those with chronic conditions like eczema, blepharitis and seborrheic dermatitis to take extra caution in finding the right treatment plan.
For these cases, over-the-counter creams and ointments or prescription medications might be necessary as part of a comprehensive treatment package. Additionally, for those who experience severe symptoms such as redness or puffiness that doesn’t improve despite using home remedies, it is important to seek professional help from a dermatologist or doctor immediately as there could potentially be an underlying medical condition at play.
Failure to do so can potentially exacerbate discomfort and lead to further complications if left untreated.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, dry skin around the eyes can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing. Depending on its cause, it may require medical attention to control properly. Fortunately, with proper care, many people are able to effectively reduce their symptoms and keep them from getting worse in the future.
Home remedies such as using a humidifier or cold compresses can help alleviate mild symptoms while avoiding harsh skin products and staying hydrated can also go a long way in preventing further irritation.
In more severe cases however, it is advisable to seek professional help for tailored treatment options that suit one’s particular condition. Untreated dry skin around the eyes carries an increased risk of infections and scarring so it is important to stay vigilant in addressing any issues that arise promptly before they become worse.
With proper care, relief from discomfort associated with this condition should follow shortly afterwards!