Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Under Eye Dryness?CausesSymptomsManagement and PreventionProfessional Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Under Eye Dryness?
Causes
Symptoms
Management and Prevention
Professional Treatment
Dry skin under your eyes can have a number of causes, including aging, a skin condition likeeczema, or even the weather. By taking steps to add moisture to the area, you can prevent more serious issues, like inflammation or infection.
Often, treatment consists of at-home care and over-the-counter products. For certain conditions, you may need to see a healthcare provider.
This article explains what under-eye dryness is, common causes, ways to prevent dryness, and options to treat this delicate area of the skin.
PhotoAlto/Frederic Cirou / Getty Images
Understanding Dryness Under the Eyes
Anyone can get dry skin, anywhere on the body. Skin needs water and oils that the body produces naturally to stay healthy and elastic. If this moisture is lacking for some reason, the skin can dry out. This usually results in itchy or scaly skin, feelings of tightness or stinging, or even peeling. It can be uncomfortable, and for some people, even make them self-conscious if the skin takes on a scaly or rough appearance, or if they scratch enough to cause bleeding.
The skin around the eyes is especially thin and sensitive, so when dry skin occurs here, it can be painful or bothersome. If a medical condition is causing the dry skin, your eyes and vision may be affected.
What Causes Dry Skin Under the Eyes?
There are a variety of causes of dry skin under the eyes. Knowing what is causing the dryness is important, as conditions are treated differently.
Blepharitis
While blepharitis often doesn’t completely go away, you can manage the symptoms. Yourdermatologist, ophthalmologist, or other healthcare providers can discuss with you what may be causing your blepharitis.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is when the whites of the eye turn pinkish, usually because of viruses, bacteria, or allergens.It may also be very itchy and can cause swelling of the eyelids, excess tears, crusting of eyelids or eyelashes, and eye discharge.
Eczema
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, can occur anywhere, including under and around the eyes. It usually occurs more often in those who have eczema in other places as well.This can be especially bothersome because the skin around the eyes is so thin and sensitive, which makes it more likely to develop things like an irritant and allergiccontact dermatitis.
Avoiding any known irritants or allergens can minimize the risk of dermatitis. Topical treatments like creams or steroids may be used to treat this eczema. More serious forms may require oral steroids or other immunologic drugs.
Ocular Rosacea
Rosaceacan occur in and around the eyes and include things like swollen or red eyelids, bloodshot eyes, conjunctivitis, crusty eyelids, and itching.If not treated, it can affect the eyes.
Treatment can include warm compresses, an eye cleanser, and eye drops/medication. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe an antibiotic.
Psoriasis
About 50% of people who havepsoriasishave facial psoriasis.Usually, this affects skin on the eyebrows, between the nose and upper lip, or along the forehead and hairline. In rare cases, psoriasis may affect the skin around the eyes.
When psoriasis occurs around the eyes, it can cause redness, dryness, and discomfort. In some cases, it may cause vision problems.
Special topical treatments can be used on the skin around the eyes, but you need to be careful not to overuse these creams or ointments since they could raise the risk of cataracts or glaucoma.
Harsh Weather
Different weather extremes can cause dryness and flaking around the eyes. Dry air, for instance, forces evaporation from the skin, so your skin loses moisture and dehydrates. Using a gentle moisturizer around the eyes during winter months when the air tends to be dry or year-round if you live in an arid climate can help.
Sun exposurecan also dry out skin and cause cracking.Carefully apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to this area, or wear a hat that blocks direct sunlight.
Other Reasons
There are other, more general causes for dry skin, especially around the eyes. These causes include:
Symptoms of Dry Skin Around the Eyes
The skin around the eyes is thinner than other skin on your body, and so it may get drier more easily. This can lead to some irritation and mild symptoms.
Mild Symptoms of Dry Skin Under Eyes
If the skin under the eyes becomes dehydrated, it will take on the typical characteristics of dry skin. Common symptoms of dry skin include:
Severe Symptoms of Dry Skin Under Eyes
If you don’t treat dry skin when the symptoms are mild, the problem could progress into extremely dry skin.
Depending on what is causing the dry skin around your eyes, the specific treatment may depend on the underlying condition. Your dermatologist and/or eye doctor may have specific topical medications or treatments that they require you to follow. Always follow their guidelines first when you are under their care.
Taking care of the skin around your eyes can help prevent and manage any dry skin that might arise. Things you can do include eating a healthy diet that includes adequate water and following a good skincare routine—wash your face twice daily with a mild, soap-free cleanser and use an oil-free moisturizer.
Minimizing your sun tanning, using sunscreen regularly, and quitting smoking can all help your skin stay healthy.
Home Remedies
Other things you can do at home include:
Is Vaseline good for dry skin under eyes?Vaseline can effectively help prevent dry skin around the eyes. In general, petroleum jelly ointments like Vaseline are better for preventing dryness and are less irritating than lotions. Applying a small amount to the thin skin on your eyelids or around your eye can protect the area. Apply Vaseline while your skin is damp for the best results.
Is Vaseline good for dry skin under eyes?
Vaseline can effectively help prevent dry skin around the eyes. In general, petroleum jelly ointments like Vaseline are better for preventing dryness and are less irritating than lotions. Applying a small amount to the thin skin on your eyelids or around your eye can protect the area. Apply Vaseline while your skin is damp for the best results.
If you are not allergic, these ingredients in creams or ointments can be helpful:
If you have a specific medical condition like the ones listed above that is causing dry skin, talk with your healthcare provider before using any home remedies. They might have specific suggestions for you.
Once you start treating dry skin, you’ll see improvements and healing in about two weeks or so. If you have a medical condition causing dry skin, this may vary, depending on the severity of the condition and the treatment plan your provider has developed.
When to Seek Professional Treatment
If nothing is helping with the dryness around your eyes, see your healthcare provider or a dermatologist. If you notice anything out of the ordinary with your eyes or vision or start having any problems with your eyes, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Treatment may be necessary to avoid any eye or vision problems.
Summary
Dry skin can be uncomfortable, and if it gets very bad, even painful. Because the skin around the eyes is so thin, dry skin can be especially irritating here, and even affect the eyes.
Even if you don’t have a clinical diagnosis of a skin disorder, there are things you can do to minimize dry skin and help prevent and/or treat it at home, like using gentler products, moisturizing, and lifestyle changes like avoiding excess sun and smoking.
If nothing is helping, see your healthcare provider. They can help you manage it so that it doesn’t get worse and affect your eyes.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pink eye: Causes and how it spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of pink eye.National Eczema Society.Eczema around the eyes.National Eczema Society.Treatments for eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea: Diagnosis and treatment.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.National Institutes of Health.Skin care and aging.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: Who gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: Signs and symptoms.NIH News In Health.Keep your skin healthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.American Academy of Dermatology Association.5 ways to use petroleum jelly for skin care.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pink eye: Causes and how it spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of pink eye.National Eczema Society.Eczema around the eyes.National Eczema Society.Treatments for eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea: Diagnosis and treatment.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.National Institutes of Health.Skin care and aging.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: Who gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: Signs and symptoms.NIH News In Health.Keep your skin healthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.American Academy of Dermatology Association.5 ways to use petroleum jelly for skin care.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pink eye: Causes and how it spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of pink eye.National Eczema Society.Eczema around the eyes.National Eczema Society.Treatments for eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea: Diagnosis and treatment.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.National Institutes of Health.Skin care and aging.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: Who gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: Signs and symptoms.NIH News In Health.Keep your skin healthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.American Academy of Dermatology Association.5 ways to use petroleum jelly for skin care.
National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pink eye: Causes and how it spreads.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of pink eye.
National Eczema Society.Eczema around the eyes.
National Eczema Society.Treatments for eczema.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea: Diagnosis and treatment.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.
National Institutes of Health.Skin care and aging.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: Who gets and causes.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dry skin: Signs and symptoms.
NIH News In Health.Keep your skin healthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.5 ways to use petroleum jelly for skin care.
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