Should You Be Applying Your Eye Cream To Your Eyelids Too?

The insufferable irritation and discomfort of dry or dehydrated skin can put a serious dampener on your mood, especially when that dryness is on areas of the skin that are difficult to treat. The thin and delicate skin of the eyelids, for instance, is equally vulnerable to dryness as the rest of your body; however, the skin on the eyelids is often neglected due to the intimidating proximity to your eye and the overall sensitivity in this area of your face.

There are many reasons why your eyelids may feel dry. For instance, dry eyelids can be caused by skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, or blepharitis, per WebMD. More commonly, dry eyelids can feel dry due to irritation, whether that is due to allergies, inadequate makeup removal, or sensitivity to skincare products. You can even experience dry eyes from everyday makeup products such as eyeshadow or eyeliner, which may contain irritating ingredients.

The immediate solution to dryness is moisturizer. But is it safe to put any ol' eye cream on your eyelids? 

The reason that dry eyelids can sometimes be difficult to treat is because this area of the skin is delicate and prone to sensitivity. According to a 2007 study published in the journal of Skin Research & Technology, the skin is thinner in this area so it is both soft and flexible enough to blink over your eyelids. As a result, your eyelids are also one of the first places to display signs of aging, as your skin becomes thinner and loses the ability to effectively retain moisture over time, according to WebMD.

That being said, it can be safe to apply moisturizer to your eyelids, and it is even encouraged in order to relieve symptoms of dryness (via The Eye Associates). This process is also important to maintain healthy eyelids to protect your eyes from damage and maintain a healthy tear film. However, you must be careful with the creams or ointments that you choose to apply. 

Not all eye creams are designed to be used on your eyelids. Your current eye cream may work well when applied to your under eye area; however, this does not mean that the product can be applied to your eyelids unless it specifically states that it is safe to do so (via Healthline).

There are certain ingredients that you should absolutely avoid when selecting an eye cream to put on your eyelids. Stay away from all products that contain drying alcohols and petrolatum ingredients, per CV Skinlabs.

If you have sensitive skin or have a skin condition such as eczema or blepharitis, you should also avoid ingredients that can cause flare-ups and irritate the skin barrier, such as aqueous creams or olive oil, according to the National Eczema Society. Vaseline is a safe option to use, in this case. Otherwise, you have the green light to use your everyday eye cream, as long as the label indicates that it is safe to apply on your eyelids. If you are hesitant to use eye cream, however, then look for products that are specifically formulated to be used on your eyelids, such as La Roche-Posay Toleriane Eye Cream for Dry Skin.