Dry Eyelids: Causes, Treatments, Solutions, and Other Factors You Should Know About

These retractable skin folds located in front of the eyeball uncover it to allow vision and cover it to protect it from external agents and the harmful effects of excessively intense light.

“With a thickness of between 0.6 and 1 millimeter, the skin on the eyelids is the thinnest in our body. It is made up of numerous hair follicles and sebaceous glands, which are found in greater numbers in the nasal area,” explains Dr. Eugenio Lalinde, plastic surgeon and director of the Lalinde Institute.

Sometimes the eyelids become dry, which is “an eye problem that is more common than it may seem and which, in many cases, is temporary, since it only affects people who suffer from it for a few days or weeks,” explains Dr. Andrea Sales, an ophthalmologist at Clínica Baviera .

According to this specialist, dry eyelids suffer from the same dryness that can be suffered in any other part of the skin, which causes flaking and itching or discomfort in the area, requiring certain care similar to that of the rest of the skin.

“Most often, it is a temporary problem and once the condition returns to normal, the skin on the eyelids will also return to its normal state,” according to Sales.

ATTENTION TO WARNINGS

“If your eye makeup ‘slips’, you feel a tingling sensation on your eyelids when you wet them, or they simply feel dry and flaky, you most likely suffer from dry eyelids, even if you have oily skin in general,” says Esperanza Sáenz, image manager of the cosmetics firm Nezeni.

This specialist points out that the skin around the eyes is sensitive, so dry eyelids can be painful. “In addition, it has its characteristics, which make it tend to age quickly, showing fine lines and wrinkles before other skin areas of the face that are thicker, such as the cheeks,” she adds.

“Chemical irritants can cause dryness on the inside of the eyelids, while the aging of the body is more evident on the outside of these skin folds. Dryness usually affects both eyelids and occasionally it only affects one eyelid,” says Sáenz.

The causes of dry eyelids are very varied.

It may be due to the person rubbing their eyes often or having naturally dry skin; environmental factors; age or tobacco; sun rays or health disorders.

These include: “contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, blepharitis (inflammation of the sebaceous glands of the eyelids), lack of sleep, stress or eye strain,” explains Sáenz.

THE IMPORTANT MAKEUP REMOVAL

“The use of certain makeup and the habit of sleeping with makeup on are other causes of dry eyelids, as they increase the chances of the chemical agents in some cosmetics penetrating the eye or remaining on the eyelid for too long and causing irritation,” she points out.

“We must be especially careful with certain facial cleansers that can be very aggressive, especially if they include exfoliation,” warns the Nezeni specialist.

Sáenz advises using gentle makeup removers, “such as micellar water for sensitive and dry skin or a good oil that cleanses the entire delicate area of ​​the face well.”

It also warns about some cosmetics, retinoids, or serums formulated for the eye contour area.

“If you use retinol or exfoliating serums of any kind, avoid contact with your eyelids and under-eye circles to prevent dryness and irritation, and be careful to wash your hands after applying these products to your face,” Sáenz advises.

She also recommends “prioritizing the use of serum or moisturizing cream for the eye contour that contains ingredients such as almond oil, collagen amino acids, glycerin, panthenol or aloe vera, avoiding other products such as benzoyl peroxide or synthetic perfumes.”

SOME SOLUTIONS

Sáenz and the team of specialists at Nezeni offer solutions for dry eyelids:

• Keep your fingers away from your face. Your hands collect a lot of dirt and irritants throughout the day; try to wash them often and avoid touching your face if they are not clean.

• Improve your lifestyle. Prioritize restful sleep and stress management. You should stay well hydrated throughout the day and gradually eliminate harmful habits such as smoking.

• Avoid harsh cosmetics. Try not to use harsh products on delicate areas such as the eyes. After applying retinol or exfoliants to the face, it is necessary to add a moisturizer to the entire face.

• Boost your protection. Applying an eye cream or occlusive oil to your eyelids and under your eyes before using powerful serums will help protect your skin while maintaining your routine, explains Sáenz.

• Use soothing eye creams. Retinol creams can be effective at treating fine lines and wrinkles, but if you have dry, sensitive eyelids or dark circles, you’ll want to use a gentle, soothing cream.

• Remove your makeup carefully and gently, and use natural cosmetics instead. To reduce irritation in dry areas and prevent future dryness, it is advisable to use clean, natural eye products, including mascara, and apply cream eye shadows and eyeliners instead of powder products.