Introduction- dry eyelids
Dry skin can vary in severity from mild to severe.
Some people with dry eyelids may only experience mild itching or not even notice it.
Others may experience more intense irritation, which worsens during blinking. Sometimes, the eyelids may become swollen.
Cause of itchy, flaky, or dry eyes?
irritated, flaky skin around the eyes, which occur from the skin’s normal barrier being disrupted.
The dry skin then leads to a loss of hydration and moisture in the skin and inflammation follows.
Unfortunately, there are numerous causes of dry eyelids.
These reasons can include, but aren’t limited to,
- genetic skin conditions,
- stress,
- overall health.
Seasonal
But when it comes to the most common concerns, dry eyelids often come with seasonal changes like cold temps and dry weather.
During the fall and winter months, the weather can cause skin to be stripped of its oils which impairs the skin’s natural moisture barrier and leads to dry, itchy skin on the body.
contact dermatitis
if your eyelid dryness is accompanied by redness, itching, or swelling, it could mean that an allergy or contact dermatitis is to blame.
This type of dryness is triggered by irritants that are airborne or directly in contact with the skin
Seborrheic dermatitis
Another way to identify if you’re dealing with dry eyelids is to see how the skin reacts with a moisturizer. If there is inflammation and the flaking doesn’t resolve with moisturizing, then it is likely dry skin and can include conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis or eczema.
Aging
Some common culprits include: Aging. As you get older, your skin loses moisture and becomes drier. You also lose fat below your skin that’s around your eyes . That makes that area extra fragile and more likely to flake and be irritated.
Environmental Factors
The environment can be way harsh. Cold weather , dry air, or even extreme heat can all affect your skin.
Changing weather is also a very common trigger for dry eyelids. Cold, dry weather during the winter strips the skin of oils, which ultimately leads to dryness.
Since we’re wearing masks that may occasionally migrate towards the eye area, dry, flaky skin may result from the frictional rubbing that disrupts the fragile outer layer of our skin
Atopic derematitis
The most common symptom of atopic dermatitis is itching.
The condition can also cause: dry, scaly skin pain or tenderness rashes that ooze fluids or bleed after scratching, which is the thickening and hardening of the skin.
Contact dermatitis
The skin around your eyelids can become dry, red, and itchy when something triggers a reaction.
It might be an irritating substance that comes in contact with your skin or an allergic reaction.
Some common irritants include: Makeup Soap and detergent Sunscreen Chlorine from swimming pools.
Eczema
Eczema is a general term that’s used to refer to several different types of rashes “caused by disruption of the outer skin layer, loss of hydration.
But if your dry, flaking eyelids are especially severe and triggered by certain things, they might be considered a type of eczema, like atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis .
These conditions often cause patches of dry, red, itchy, flaky skin in response to triggers like allergens, changes in temperature, or humidity.
Common culprits include pollen, perfumes, makeup, nail polish, and hairspray.
In these situations, you’ll want to check in with your dermatologist before trying to treat things at home.
Dry eyes
It describes symptoms of dry eyes and shows the best ways of treating them effectively.
Check out TheraLIfe Eye for chronic dry eyes.
Blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelids caused mostly by dry eyes. Resulting of your eyelashes clog up. That causes redness, irritation, crustiness, and dryness.
Your eyes can be watery and red. The skin around your eyes can be flaky.
- The specific cause of blepharitis isn’t clear, but it has ties to several conditions including: Allergies
- Rosacea
- Dry eyes
- Infections
Why do you have dry eyelids?
Your eyelid skin is thinner and more sensitive to sunlight than the skin around your mouth.
And since the skin is so delicate, the skin can get irritated.
Thin skin around the eyes makes them particularly susceptible to drying out.
Facial skin is much thinner and sensitive when compared to other areas of the body, but the skin around the eyes is even more delicate.
It’s the thicker area of the skin underneath the eyes, so the product can penetrate deeper and irritant products may penetrate deeper into skin.
It’s possible that the eyelid skin is mounting an inflammatory reaction to an ingredient in your skin care or makeup, so my recommendation would be to streamline your routine
This may cause dry eyelids, eye irritation and eye infections.
Skin conditions related to skin under the eyes
Dry skin can cause dry eyes and other conditions like acne xerosis.
Xerosis can be defined by skin irritation and most people experience it during their lifetime.
Eyelid eczema
There are a few measures you can take on your own if you’re having eyelid eczema and dealing with an excess of flakes.
First, simplify your skin-care and makeup routines.
Start by avoiding as many products as possible, keeping eyelids clean and dry and using just a bit of moisturizer.
Once your eyes have improved, then you can restart one product every few days, Process of elimination.
How xerosis works.
Inflammation skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis or psoriatic skin conditions can affect the eyelid skin area.
Metabolic problems such as diabetes mellitus or renal diseases can also cause dry eyelids or under eye area formation.
More info is also available on other health conditions, including acne, skin cancer, or dermatitis.
Does hay fever cause dry eyelids?
Hay fever occurs when an allergic reaction is present towards allergens such as pollen.
It can lead to itchy throats, sneezing, coughing as well as itchy, red eyes or noses swelling.
It can be a very painful condition that can flare up during summer months and get worse during the cold months.
Since hay fever causes eyes and skin to water and itching, this can cause dry eyelids and irritating skin to irritate your eyes.
Hay fever can also leads to eczema or dermatitis.
How is the skin around your eyes different from other areas?
The facial skin around a person’s eyes is very delicate.
While the epidermis (the external skin cells) are generally about 1.5 mm deep, around the eye, it is less than 1.0 mm deep.
It causes the skin around the eyes to get very dry.
Our eyelids and under eyes are vascular and therefore blood flow through these areas.
Therefore, it is possible that the skin will become irritated if there are dry spots.
Who has dry skin under the eyes?
How does dry skin around your eyes affect your skin type?
The dry skin in your eyes may result from various factors including inflammatory and inflammation of your skin.
They include environmental influences and lack in cosmetic treatments, and skin disorders like atopic dermatitis.
Causes dry skin: Harmful, dry conditions. Dry air is harmful to the skin barrier function.
Eyelid dermatitis
If the eyes and lids of an individual suffer from dry or itchy skin, eczema can develop.
Atopic dermatitis is a common occurring eczema which affects the eyes in adulthood.
It can develop in the eyelids and can cause skin swelling.
Severe dry eyelids
If left untreated, a dry skin condition can result in the formation and growth of very dry eyelid and under-eye patches that can develop.
Chronic dry skin around the eyes may diminish its elasticity and cause early wrinkles.
Treatments for dry eyelids
It’s important to seek the advice of a dermatologist should your skin condition last more than a few weeks.
How to Treat Dry Eyelids
Your situation will help determine which treatment is best for you.
If your dryness is because of another condition, talk to your doctor about how to get it under control.
If you have contact dermatitis, learn your triggers and how to avoid them. Also try not to touch your eyelids unless your hands.
People can usually treat dry eyelids at home by applying moisturizers and using warm, not hot, water to bathe.
If the symptoms persist, a person should speak with a doctor. A doctor can prescribe medications, such as corticosteroid creams to reduce the symptoms.
The best way to treat dry skin on the eyelids depends on its cause.
Moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis is treatable with moisturizers or corticosteroids.
However, doctors only recommend corticosteroids in the short term as they may increase eye pressure when applied to the eyelids.
Home remedies
Avoid any known triggers to keep dry, irritated skin on your eyelid at bay.
To keep your skin healthy, always wear sunscreen and avoid too much sun exposure.
Keep away from irritants.
If there are things you know make your eyelids dry, steer clear!
Avoiding known triggers can help prevent dryness from worsening, or sometimes even occurring in the first place.
Moisturizing dry skin around eyes
Since the eye areas and skin around eyes are thinner and more delicate than other areas, moisturizing agents restore skin moisture balance and are gentle enough for the area around eyes.
Moisturizing several times a day, including:
- right after bathing,
- using a humidifier,
- avoiding bathing or showering for longer than 5 minutes,
- using warm rather than hot water to bathe,
- avoiding prolonged sun exposure and tanning beds,
- washing with gentle cleansers,
- using skin products for sensitive skin.
Moisturizers containing compounds like urease and lactate hold skin moisture at a deeper surface layer (the stratum cornum) which helps keep its hydration levels high.
The use of 5% of Urea in skin cream is sufficient to treat skin irritations around the eyes and under the eyes.
It is necessary to increase urea concentration in dry skins.
If you think you’re dealing with dry or flaky eyelids, here two dermatologists to help you get to the bottom of those dry lids, what causes them, and how to remedy the irritation just like a pro would.
Related Stories The 20 Best Moisturizers For Dry Skin Inside A Derm’s Sensitive Skincare Routine
If you find that any of these steps do, in fact, cure the dry skin on your eyelids, don’t simply go back to your original routine. Continue using gentle and sensitive skin-friendly products to nourish the delicate skin around your eyes and avoid future irritations.
Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E, niacinamide, squalene and ceramides are top picks for treating dry skin.
Cleansing dry skin around eyes
Because your eye skin is particularly sensitive you can safely clean them by using mild eye makeup removers and eye wash.
Avoid hot water around the eyes, since it can strip the skin of its natural oil, called sebum, which will dry out the skin.
Use facial cleaning products without colors and perfumes that may cause irritation to the skin.
Avoid any cosmetics which are scented and preservative in your eye area since it might cause more drying and irritation.
Try using cleansing products containing moisturizers from natural sources, e.g., urate, helps to restore skin’s natural moisture balance.
Avoiding contributing factors
Keeping a clean and moisturized complexion is best to eliminate the contributing factors which may affect dry skin.
- Avoid dry weather by spending more time indoors.
- Keep your facial area clean by hand.
- It is best to use warm water to remove excess oil.
- Washing your face too often can dry your skin.
- Gently pat dry and do not rub your face.
- Consult an eye care provider if your eyes are affected by pollen.
Protect dry skin from sun exposure
Dry skin around eyes should not be exposed to UV radiation.
Use sunscreens to reduce the effects of sun damage.
It is important avoiding any sunscreen that has irritating fragrances or colors, because they may cause irritation.
References
nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/blepharitis Contact dermatitis. (n.d.). nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/contact-dermatitis/ Dry skin: Overview. (n.d.). aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/dry-skin-overview Gabros S, et al. (2021).
SOURCES: National Eczema Society: “Eczema around the eyes factsheet.” Sykes, J. Master Techniques in Facial Rejuvenation (Second Edition) , Elsevier, 2018. Cleveland Clinic: “Aging and Skin Care.” DermNet NZ: “Eyelid contact dermatitis,” Atopic dermatitis.” Mayo Clinic: “Blepharitis,” “Atopic dermatitis (eczema),
