Key Takeaways
- The skin around your eyes is thin, so it can dry out quickly.
- Cold Alberta air, hot showers, indoor heat, and scented products can leave the area irritated and flaky.
- Gentle washing followed by a fragrance-free moisturizer can help hold in moisture.
- RF treatment and in-office lid care are options if you experience eyelid discomfort.
- If your symptoms persist, worsen, or are accompanied by eye pain, light sensitivity, or blurry vision, book an appointment promptly.
You wake up, look in the mirror, and the skin under your eyes feels tight. Maybe the skin there looks flaky or dull. At our Eye Care Clinics, we have 4 locations across southern Alberta that can help you manage these symptoms and restore moisture.
To treat dry skin around your eyes, stop using products that irritate the area, wash with warm water, pat dry, then apply a fragrance-free moisturizer. If discomfort persists or worsens, book an eye exam. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the skin on your cheeks, which is why it can feel dry easily.
What May Contribute to Dryness Around Your Eyes
Alberta winters are hard on your eyes and the skin around them. Cold air, wind, and low humidity pull moisture away, and indoor heat can continue that once you get home. As you age, your skin may also naturally produce less moisture, which can contribute to that dry feeling.
If you use soaps with fragrances, dyes, or preservatives, those can irritate your eyes over time. Makeup removers or soap can also cause dryness and irritation.
Skin and Eye Conditions
Sometimes dryness points to something more specific. Eczema and contact dermatitis can settle on the eyelids. Blepharitis is an irritation of the skin around the eyelids, and it often brings crusty lashes and a gritty feeling, while conjunctivitis can come with redness, discharge, and flaky skin.
How to Treat Dry Skin Around Your Eyes at Home
Here are a few quick tips for managing eye dryness at home:
- Stop using any product irritating the area, including scented cleansers and makeup removers. Try switching to a sensitive-skin version and see if that helps.
- Wash gently with warm water, then pat the skin dry instead of rubbing.
- Moisturize or put petroleum jelly under your eyes to seal in moisture, keeping the product out of your eye itself.
- Try a warm compress to soothe the skin.
In-Office Options
When home care isn’t enough, our eye doctors can offer more. RF treatment is one option used for eyelid comfort and the skin around the eyes. RF warms the skin and reduces inflammation, which may help with dry skin.
The eye doctor checks your lids and tear film and looks at the skin around your eyes. Then our team walks you through what they found and what comes next, in plain language, without rushing you out the door. Your plan will be built around your symptoms, your skin, and your existing routine.
When to Book an Eye Exam
Some signs are worth a closer look from an eye doctor rather than another change to your skin care. If your symptoms persist or worsen, or if you experience flare-ups that return again and again, book a visit with your eye doctor.
Care Close to Home
You don’t have to drive far for help. We have locations in Olds, Sundre, Carstairs, and Calgary, with trained eye care professionals who can provide thorough, friendly care. Appointments are available for kids, parents, and grandparents alike, and we’d love to share prevention tips for the cold, dry months ahead.
Schedule Your Eye Exam
Dry skin around your eyes is uncomfortable, but you can find relief. If your discomfort keeps coming back, our team across southern Alberta can take a closer look and help you sort out what’s behind it. Book your appointment today.
