How to Care for Dry Skin Around Your Eyes

Dry skin around your eyes can be uncomfortable, not to mention unsightly. That’s why we reached out to an expert for tips on how to combat dry eyelids and under-eyes. Read on for skin care ingredients you should look out for and what lifestyle habits to nix to keep the skin around your eye contour looking and feeling its best.

We all know that dry skin is a common side effect of winter’s brutally cold temps, and the thin, delicate skin around our eyes are a prime target. While sub-zero temperatures and harsh winds are only one potential reason behind dry skin around the eyes, it’s important to know how to keep the skin around your peepers well-hydrated year-round. For tips, we turned to plastic surgeon, SkinCeuticals ambassador, and Skincare.com consultant Dr. Peter Schmid. Below, Dr. Schmid lays out the proper steps you need to take—including habits you should avoid—to ensure the skin around your eyes is soft, hydrated, and youthful-looking.

DRY SKIN AROUND THE EYES: EXPERT CARE TIPS 

When asked about his top tips for warding off dry skin around the eyes, Dr. Schmid said, “A consistent regimen of antioxidants and emollients will improve tone and texture of the periocular skin while diminishing [the look of] fine lines.” An anti-aging regimen backed by stellar products is a good approach in getting the results you’re looking for, too. “My personal favorite anti-aging eye regimen, which will also help reduce under eye puffiness and dark circles, is SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel followed by SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex,” Dr. Schmid says. In the morning, Dr. Schmid also recommends following up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen formulated specifically for the delicate eye area, like the SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense which offers a tinted formula and SPF 50 protection.

INGREDIENTS THAT CAN HELP DRY SKIN AROUND THE EYES 

When it comes to caring for dry skin around the eyes, the ingredients that make up the formulas can make a world of difference. Dr. Schmid recommends looking for these ingredients within products to help ensure your eye contour is looking and feeling its best: Vitamin C (to prevent damage from free radicals and pollution), Proxylane (to help increase hydration and reduce the look of fine lines and crepiness), and Flavonoids, Peptides, and Caffeine (to help firm the look of skin and reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles).

THINGS TO AVOID IF YOU HAVE DRY SKIN AROUND THE EYES

Once you have the dry skin around your eyes under control, the last thing you want to do is make matters worse. The right skin care regimen can make all the difference, but not if your lifestyle habits aren’t in line. Here’s what you should avoid: 

Long, hot showers: Keep showers on the shorter side with lukewarm water only. Water that’s practically scalding can wreak havoc on your skin and strip it of its natural oils.  

Harsh soaps and cleansers: Avoid cleansing your face with a bar soap intended for hand use only, as it can lead to irritation on dry skin. Instead, reach for a gentle face wash formulated with mild, hydrating ingredients.

Allergens: Certain irritating substances may cause the skin on and around your eyelids to become dry. These allergens can include detergents, dust particles, chlorine, fragrances, and more.  

Is dry skin an issue you’re facing that goes beyond the area around your eyes? Help improve the look and feel of dry, irritated skin by educating yourself on ways to achieve moisturized body and facial skin this winter.