Dry skin around eyes: Here's how to treat it

Dry skin around eyes: Here's how to treat it
by Truly Beauty

So you just noticed dry skin around your eyes that wasn't there yesterday. What did you do? What did you apply? What could be the cause of this pesky problem?

The eye area is particularly sensitive, making it more prone to puffiness and swelling. Did you know the skin around the eyes is five times thinner than the skin on the rest of your face? No wonder dryness around the peepers is becoming a common complaint. The skin must be parched.

Uncomfortable and annoyingly noticeable, dry skin around eyes can happen regardless of your age or skin type. Luckily, there are a few skincare products you can use and lifestyle changes you can make to alleviate dry, flaky skin. We've also got some awesome home remedies for treating dryness and itchiness around your eyes. And just so you know, dry skin around the eyes won't cause blepharitis. That's only if you suffer from dry eyes. In this article, we're only focusing on the skin. 

WHAT CAUSES DRY SKIN AROUND EYES?

The delicate skin around your eyes isn't able to retain moisture as easily as other parts of the face. It is therefore more susceptible to drying out. It also contains few active oil glands, which basically means it isn't able to stay hydrated. Using harsh cleansers and makeup removers can also deplete moisture around the eyes, leading to dry and itchy skin. Other causes of dry skin include wearing too much eye makeup regularly or makeup that is too irritating to the skin. So check your concealer, eye shadow and mascara to make sure they're not the ones responsible for dehydrating your skin. Sun damage is another contributing factor, which can also cause fine lines. 

To keep the eye area looking bright, healthy and glowing, you need to approach eye care the same way you would approach skin care: adopt good habits. And that includes moisturizing!

You should probably also run it past your dermatologist if you have existing skin conditions such as contact dermatitis or rosacea, or think you may have one. 

HOW TO HANDLE DRY SKIN AROUND EYES

1. Use A Well-Formulated Eye Cream

A moisturizer that especially targets the eye area can help immensely in hydrating the skin and preventing dryness. Make sure you choose a gentle moisturizer that doesn't contain any harsh chemicals. Heavy lotions will only weigh down the skin, so it's important to select a lightweight eye cream that can hydrate without overloading the eye area skin. Make using a moisturizer part of your daily skin care routine to keep your eye skin looking soft and smooth. Hyaluronic acid, retinol and vitamin e are great ingredients to look for in your cream.

 

2. Switch From Hot Water To Lukewarm Water

Hot showers, as wonderful as they are, could be ruining your skin. That's because hot water dries up your skin and leaves it prone to flaking and itchiness. The best way to prevent this is to start taking lukewarm showers instead and that applies when washing your face too - do it with tepid water. 

Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, the protective shields that keep the moisture in. A simple notch in the temperature is enough to improve the condition of your skin. Also, remember to always apply moisturizer after taking a shower to lock the moisture in and stop it from drying out. 

 

3. Try Vaseline

After cleaning your face in the morning or evening, apply a thin layer of Vaseline under the eyes to lock in moisture and create a protective barrier to prevent cold weather from making your skin even more dry. Regular application of petroleum jelly can actually speed up the healing process of dry, flaky skin. Apply daily for best results. 

 

4. Apply Cucumber Slices

Cucumber slices aren't just good for alleviating dark circles and puffiness. They also offer moisturizing properties that help hydrate and improve the skin's elasticity. Not only do they feel really soothing on your eyes, they'll also leave your peepers looking sharper and brighter. Apply them any time you feel the need for a pick me up. That could be once or twice daily. Either way, regular application of cucumber slices will definitely make your eyes look and feel better. Packed with water, cucumbers are also hydrating from the inside too. Eat as many cucumber slices as you like!

 

5. Slather On The Coconut Oil

Bursting with fatty acids and vitamins, coconut oil is an excellent natural eye cream to treat dry skin. From softening to reducing flakiness and itching, this natural oil can deeply penetrate the skin, allowing for better moisturization, without leaving a greasy film on your skin. Apply several times a day, every day, for best results until you see your dry eye skin disappear. Also try to find cleansers that contain coconut oil as they'll be more hydrating for the skin. 

 

6. Apply Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is an excellent natural moisturizer to hydrate dry skin around eyes and repair damage caused by dehydrated skin. Make sure you use pure aloe Vera gel for best results and apply 1-2 times per day without rinsing off. It will penetrate your skin and instill more moisture. 

 

7. Don't Forget Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen each morning is an essential step in protecting the eye area. If you are sensitive to synthetic sunscreen ingredients, opt for a mineral-based lotion. It will contain less irritants which is ideal if you have sensitive skin. Try to find a sunscreen that contains hyaluronic acid for extra hydrating properties. The more hydration, the better. 

 

There are many other natural home remedies for treating dry skin around the eyes that you can try such as jojoba oil, almond oil, and avocado oil. These fatty oils are powerful hydrators that can really reduce the symptoms of dry skin around eyes. Cocoa butter is another option for relieving dryness. Thanks to its high content of fatty acids and nutrients, cocoa butter is great for moisturizing delicate skin. And the best part about using these natural oils is, they don't come with any horrible side effects. Because they're 100% natural. 

Don't forget to take your supplements either! Evening primrose oil has been shown to improve skin moisture and roughness. Plus, drink plenty of h20! It really matters!

 

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