How To Treat & Prevent Dry Skin Around Your Eyes

Thanks to the itchiness and sensitivity associated with dry skin, this condition can be frustrating no matter where it appears on your body. But the eye area is one of the most uncomfortable places to have dry skin (not to be confused with dehydrated skin — yep, there's a difference!), because of its natural fragility. Like anything else, the key to both treating and preventing dry skin around the eyes is first understanding why it occurs.

Medically known as "xeroderma," dry skin lacks moisture, which results in the surface feeling rough. This takes place when the skin doesn't receive enough water or oil, per MedicalNewsToday. The skin can dry up around the eyes in particular due to a number of reasons, including the common skin condition known as eczema, which affects more than 31 million Americans (via the National Eczema Association). Categorized by dry and irritated skin, eczema can present as several more specific skin conditions, one of which is contact dermatitis. This occurs in response to an irritant or allergic reaction, usually to skincare or a makeup product. You can also develop dry skin around your eyes due to blepharitis, or eyelid inflammation. 

Beyond these medical conditions, dry skin around the eyes sometimes comes down to environmental triggers, like exposure to cold weather or hot water (via WebMD). The ailment can usually be treated with at-home remedies and lifestyle changes, though dry skin as a result of a medical condition may require more specialized treatment.

It's important to tend to dry skin around the eyes when you first notice it to avoid it progressing into a more complex issue (via Healthline). Dry skin is sensitive and irritated, so regardless of the cause, you should remove the products in your makeup and skincare that could be fueling that irritation, including those that contain alcohol, fragrance, and strong chemicals. If your dry skin is a result of contact dermatitis, you may find that just eliminating certain ingredients may fix the problem. 

There's currently no cure for eczema, but you can treat flare-ups around your eyes with medical-grade moisturizers, per the National Eczema Association. Because you're dealing with such a delicate area, it's best to consult a doctor before using any strong topical treatment. In more severe cases, you can try prescription topical steroids and immunosuppressants.

If your dry skin is a symptom of blepharitis, practicing eyelid hygiene is vital. Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends regularly cleaning and rinsing the eyes and using cool or warm moist compresses to soothe inflammation. Antibiotics or steroids may also be necessary, so it's best to discuss the issue with your doctor. For dry skin around the eyes that's just due to environmental factors, removing those triggers is the best course of action. If you live in a dry climate, it may be worth investing in a humidifier. "Humidifiers are also beneficial to support the skin's moisture barrier," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi told Byrdie. "[They] can ... protect against environmental damage."

By identifying the cause of the dry skin around the eyes, you can prevent it from returning. Eczema can have several causes that may be out of your control, including genetic factors, but you can help prevent the likelihood of flare-ups by keeping stress to a minimum. As Healthline explains, stress leads to an increase in cortisol, which can then cause a flare-up. Managing stress is easier said than done, but practicing a self-care routine that will actually work and getting enough sleep every night may help. You can also prevent eczema by avoiding known allergens and irritants. Blepharitis, on the other hand, may be prevented by practicing good eye hygiene, reaching for glasses instead of contact lenses until it's healed, and ensuring that your eye makeup is routinely cleaned and swapped out, per the Cleveland Clinic.

The bad news? If you have dry skin around the eyes, you should kiss hot showers goodbye. "Any skin condition characterized by a defective skin barrier can be worsened by a hot shower," board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein told Allure, adding that a hot shower "strips the skin of sebum, the healthy fats and oils necessary for skin health, and dehydrates the skin." Similarly, you may prevent dry skin by keeping the area moisturized with gentle, hypoallergenic products and avoiding over-exposure to heat sources, such as heaters or fireplaces. While dry skin around the eyes may come down to external factors, in some cases, you can avoid it altogether with a few simple lifestyle changes.