In this article:
What causes dry skin around eyes and eyelids?
Symptoms of dry skin around the eyes
How to get rid of dry skin around the eyes
Dry skin around your eyes not only feels uncomfortable, it can also be especially noticeable. When the skin around your eyes is parched, wrinkles and dark circles become more prominent and crepey skin texture is exaggerated.
Dry skin around the eyes can happen no matter your age or skin type, so let’s explore why this happens and, more importantly, walk through the research-backed solutions for what you can do to hydrate skin around the eyes.
What causes dry skin around eyes and eyelids?
There are many causes of dry skin around the eyes and eyelids. However, the primary reason is that the skin around the eye has very few active oil glands (1) Essentially, this means it doesn’t really have an abundant, natural ability to keep itself moist and adequately hydrated. Due to this, the delicate skin around the eyes requires TLC to stay healthy and hydrated.
Outside of having fewer oil glands, there are other lifestyle, environmental and skin-related aspects that can exacerbate or cause dry skin around eyes. They include:
- Allergens. “Environmental airborne allergens are more likely to affect this vulnerable skin and can circulate seasonally and year-round,” adds board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman. So, seasonal allergies or other airborne allergens can cause undereye dryness.
- Using alcohol-based cleansers or makeup removers around the eye area (2). Drying alcohol depletes lipids in the stratum corneum, the epidermis’s outermost layer. This can cause dry, flaky skin around eyes, especially if you’re using these kinds of products daily.
- Using skin care products with sensitising ingredients, especially fragrance (synthetic or natural). These ingredients will aggravate skin on the face, but especially the skin around the eye area. Note: Also check for sensitising ingredients in your detergents or hair care products, as they can have an impact on eye area dryness as well.
- Rubbing the eye area when taking off eye makeup. “The mechanical stress [of rubbing eyes] combines with the chemical irritation and can wreak havoc on this sensitive area,” says Dr. Hartman.
- Sun damage. This aspect is another major reason skin around the eyes can become dry, look more wrinkled and make dark circles appear more obvious. Pay attention when applying sunscreen, because “even with the most diligent application of sunscreen, the eyelids are easily forgotten,” notes Dr. Hartman.
- Ageing. The process of ageing involves the breakdown of substances within skin that support its structure, leading to thinner and drier skin in the eye area (3).
- Some medical conditions can be a source of eye area dryness. If you notice that the dryness around your eyes is chronic and recurring, it could be the result of an underlying health issue, so consulting your physician would be best. Dr. Hartman adds, “These conditions often cause itchy skin that provokes rubbing and scratching which only exacerbates the problem.”
Symptoms of dry skin around the eyes
Here are some of the telltale signs that the skin around your eyes needs more moisture:
- Redness around eyes – drier skin often presents redness or a deepening in skin colour that is noticeable when you look in the mirror (you might even have other people mention it to you) (4).
- Stinging – dryness can lead to increased skin sensitivity, meaning sometimes contact with even the gentlest ingredients – even water! - can cause a burning sensation (5).
- Rough texture and peeling and flaking skin – dryness wreaks havoc on the skin barrier leading to changes in skin’s feel as well as dry, scaly patches that can flake off.
How to get rid of dry skin around the eyes
While dry skin around the eyes is uncomfortable and even painful, there are things you can do to fix the problem! First, some skin care tips to alleviate your parched skin:
- Always use gentle, soothing skin care products, especially gentle cleansers and makeup removers.
- No matter what treatment for dry skin around the eyes you select, it must provide essential ingredients that calm, replenish, hydrate and brighten as well as antioxidants to fight environmental damage. Seek out ceramides, hyaluronic acid and emollients to help hydrate dry eye skin.
- For a targeted approach to the skin around the eyes, you may also consider a rich, emollient eye cream for dry skin that is excellent for nighttime use.
- For dry skin under eyes emphasising wrinkles, an eye cream specially formulated with anti-ageing ingredients is ideal.
- Dealing with dryness and puffiness? Seek out an eye serum loaded with targeted peptides to de-puff and moisturise under eyes. Tip: look for an eye serum with a metal-tipped applicator, which helps alleviate fluid-based puffiness.
- Don’t forget sunscreen! Protecting the delicate skin around the eyes from sun damage goes a long way to help alleviate dryness. If your eyes are sensitive, consider a formula that uses mineral sunscreen active ingredients.
There are also some lifestyle changes you can make to improve eye area dryness:
- Seeking help for allergies that might play a role in your eye area dryness. If over-the-counter solutions don’t make things better, see your doctor for advice on the best steps to take.
- Avoiding washing your face or showering with hot water, as it can increase skin dryness.
- Drinking plenty of fluids to maintain all-over body hydration.
- Avoid applying fragranced makeup in the eye area (you’d be surprised how many makeup products contain fragrance!).
As Dr. Hartman says, when it comes to the eye area, “every step counts.”
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References for this information:
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, January 2025, ePublication
- Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) Biomembranes, May 2012, pages 1,410-1,419
- Frontiers in Physiology, November 2023, pages 1-15
- Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, October 2021, pages 1,963-1,975
- Frontiers in Medicine, May 2019, pages 1-13
