It’s fair to say that almost everyone experiences dry skin at some point in their life. Some of us notice spots of dry skin only in the cold months of the winter, while others face this issue all year round, in all areas of the body. No matter how severe or frequent, seeing dry skin crop up is never fun.

Luckily, for the most part, dealing with dry skin is usually manageable. Moisturizers and lotions are a major key to keeping your skin feeling soft and hydrated. These products tend to get the job done. 

And yet, sometimes pesky patches of dry skin just won’t go away, and it always seems to happen in the most inconvenient areas. One of the trickiest regions of this kind is also one of the most sensitive: the area around the eyes.

Struggling with dry skin around the eyes is tedious and troublesome. This part of the face is far more sensitive than the rest, which makes this issue a bit more complicated than general dry skin. However, armed with the right tools and information, caring for dry skin around the eyes is entirely possible.

If you’re looking for tips and tricks for preventing and treating dry skin near the eyes, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to discover all of our best advice on this subject.

 

Dry Skin Around the Eyes: Why Does It Occur? 

 

Did you know that, compared to the rest of the face, the skin around the eyes is 40% thinner? It’s true. And, as such, any sort of irritation or skin issue is far more visible in this area. Problems like dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles, and lines are often quite evident in this region of the face.

The same goes for dry skin. Because the skin around the eyes is thinner, it isn’t able to retain moisture as effectively as the other parts of the face and body. If you notice a disproportionate amount of dry skin near your eyes, this is why.

Dry skin under the eyes should not be ignored. It may seem harmless, but this ailment can actually develop into more serious and painful problems. As many of us know, dry skin tends to worsen until it becomes itchy, reddened, cracked, or discolored. What is more, if you leave your dry skin untreated for too long, it can even lead to premature wrinkles or infections.

There’s no doubt that treating afflictions like wrinkles or skin discoloration tends to require more time and labor than treating dry skin does. If that’s not enough motivation to get your dry skin around your eyes under control, we don’t know what is. 

On the bright side, this task is entirely feasible. Now, let’s get into the best ways to deal with dry skin near the eyes, starting with the most important step: prevention.

Four Steps to Take to Prevent Dry Skin Near The Eyes 

 

As with many things in life, dry skin around the eyes becomes a lot more manageable if you can prevent it from happening in the first place. Though it’s not always possible to avoid it completely, there are several preventative steps you can take that will set you off in the right direction.

Follow these four steps to prevent dry skin around your eyes:

 

1. Stay Away From Harsh Skincare Products

 

Try your best to avoid any products that dry out the skin with damaging chemicals or alcohol. When you use harsh products every day, they will eventually take a toll on your skin. Because the eye area is so sensitive, it will face disproportionate consequences.

Whether you already practice a daily skincare routine or you’re just beginning to experiment with a regular regimen, it’s absolutely vital to examine the products you’re using. If your daily facial cleanser, exfoliator, or moisturizer contains harsh ingredients, you should consider swapping it out for a milder product. 

With any luck, using gentle products will ensure that you prevent unwanted dry skin around your eyes.

 

2. Wear Sunscreen

 

This one’s easy, and it makes a world of difference. 

Applying sunscreen every day provides countless benefits, including protecting your skin from sun damage and defending against skin cancer. If you don’t already wear sunscreen on a daily basis, this is your sign to start.

When you put on your SPF each morning, just be sure to apply it generously to the area around your eyes. This, of course, helps you avoid sunburn, damage, and potential wrinkles in that region. 

Protecting your eye area from the sun will help you prevent dry skin and other issues in the long run.

 

3. Avoid Stressing Out the Skin Around Your Eyes

 

Remember, the skin near your eyes is sensitive. Do whatever you can to avoid putting a strain on it.

For example, don’t wash your face with hot water—use lukewarm water instead. Water that is too hot strips the skin of its natural oils, which causes the skin to dry out. Similarly, when you cleanse your face each day, don’t rub the under-eye area too harshly. Be as gentle as possible with this delicate area.

By avoiding the extra stress of everyday activities, you can avoid drying out the skin around your eyes.

 

4. Drink Plenty of Water and Eat Plenty of Superfoods

 

OK, so this one might be a little harder to achieve. Changing your entire diet won’t happen overnight, but it may be worth the effort. Eating hydrating foods and staying fully hydrated will help your skin stay hydrated, too.

Antioxidant-rich foods will do wonders for your skin. Try adding foods like leafy vegetables, nuts, and fruits to your regular diet. This should boost your skin’s hydration and, hopefully, ensure that you avoid dry skin under the eyes.

Again, preventing the skin around your eyes from drying out is the easiest way to avoid the burdens of this ailment. However, if you do find yourself with dry, flaky skin in that area, we have a few tips for treating the problem at home.

 

At-Home Remedies For Treating Dry Skin Around The Eyes 

 

So, what if you take all the precautionary measures above, and you still develop dry skin under and around your eyes? 

This is an uncomfortable, irritating, and potentially painful condition to face. That is why we’ve put together a list of a few methods for soothing and healing the dry skin in the eye area.

• Gently massage the area with aloe vera gel. In addition to moisturizing dry eyes, this hydrating product promotes collagen production and helps prevent wrinkles. After applying the aloe vera, leave it on overnight for the best results.
  
  
  
• Apply green tea bags to your eyes for 15-20 minutes. After steeping the bags in hot water and allowing them to cool, simply rest them on your eyelids for the allotted time. This is a quick, easy method that reduces both dryness and puffiness.
  
  
  
• Rub a thin layer of honey around your eyes. Like the green tea, keep the honey on the afflicted area for 15-20 minutes, then wash it off with water. This will help your skin to hold in moisture and stay healthy.
  
  
  
• Try a face mask. If you want to take the self-care up a notch, try a pre-made face mask that contains potent hydrating ingredients, like our Vitamin C Clay Mask. With antioxidant ingredients like Turmeric and Aloe Vera, it will leave your under-eye skin feeling more moisturized than ever.

There are plenty of at-home remedies for this issue out there, but these are a few of our favorites. Hopefully, these methods will soothe and repair your dry skin.

  

The Takeaway

Dry skin around the eyes is an irritating and uncomfortable condition. Fortunately, it’s entirely treatable, and it’s even preventable. Hopefully, this article has provided you with all the tools you need to tackle this problem. Best of luck!

Sources:

How to Hydrate Dry Skin Around the Eyes | Byrdie

The 12 Best Foods for Healthy Skin | Healthline

15 Home Remedies To Treat Dry Skin Around The Eyes | Style Craze