Dry Skin Under Eyes - Causes & Treatment Tips

Dry skin around eyes and eyelids isn't just a cosmetic concern—it's a common dermatological issue that may signal deeper skin health challenges.

The under-eye area is sensitive, with some of the thinnest skin on the upper layers of your body, and is often the first to show signs of trouble, from dehydration to environmental damage. But fear not!

We're here to help give you a solid grasp of the symptoms, causes, and effective treatments of dry skin under your eyes so that you can keep the skin around your eyes looking healthy and vibrant.

How is the Skin Around Your Eyes Different From Other Areas?

The thin layer of skin around your eyes is scarce in oil glands and fat compared to other parts of the face. The delicate skin around your eyes requires a different approach to tackle aging or dry skin symptoms than the rest of your skin.

Given that our eyes often draw attention to our face, tired or dry skin around your eyes can accentuate overall facial wrinkles caused by aging, making protecting this area a top priority.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Skin Around the Eyes?

Understanding the typical symptoms of dry skin around the eyes is crucial for early intervention and treatment. Here’s what you might encounter:

• Mild Symptoms: Early signs include slight flakiness, minor itchiness, and small dry patches. The skin may feel tighter and less supple, hinting at a loss of natural moisture.

• Severe Symptoms: If the condition worsens, symptoms can escalate to extremely dry skin, persistent redness, inflammation, and continuous itching. Cracked or scaly skin can develop, causing discomfort and significantly affecting the area's appearance and health.

These symptoms not only cause physical discomfort but also pose risks for further complications, such as increased sensitivity to environmental irritants and accelerated aging, including the development of more noticeable fine lines and wrinkles.

Why Does Dry Skin Occur Around the Eyes?

The skin around your eyes is inherently different, with fewer oil glands and a thinner structure, making it more prone to dryness. Environmental factors, such as cold weather and direct sunlight, can strip away moisture or cause sun damage, while skincare products containing harsh chemicals can exacerbate the problem. Skin conditions like eyelid eczema and contact dermatitis also contribute to dryness around the eyes.

What Do Lifestyle and Location Have to Do With Dry Skin Under Eyes?

Environmental factors play a significant role in the development of dry skin under the eyes. Extreme temperatures, whether too hot or too cold, can strip away the skin's natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Similarly, spending prolonged periods in dry air, heated or air-conditioned environments, and sun exposure can also contribute to dry, flaky skin around the eyes.

When we fail to stay hydrated, our skin loses moisture and suffers the consequences of mineral deficiency. Skin hydration is crucial to healthy, smooth skin. Dehydrated skin, characterized by a lack of water intake, can exhibit similar symptoms to dry skin, including itching and dry patches under the eyes.

Could it be Eyelid Dermatitis?

Eyelid dermatitis is a type of contact dermatitis, that occurs when the skin comes into contact with a product or allergen that causes irritation or an allergic reaction. While typically harmless to eye health, the itchy skin can result in red, itchy, and dry skin on the eyelids.

Certain eye drops and antihistamines can exacerbate the condition, leading to further dryness under the eyes. It's important to check with your eye doctor to determine whether eyelid dermatitis is the culprit or not.

How Can You Effectively Treat and Care for Dry Skin Around the Eyes?

Here's how to treat dry skin around eyes:

1. Optimize Your Skincare Routine

• Hydration: Dry skin under your eyes may be causing wrinkles. Choosing a good moisturizer specifically designed for sensitive skin, avoiding those with irritating ingredients like fragrance and alcohol, is key. Look for products containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, and urea for deep hydration and soothing effects to help retain moisture.

• Cleansing: Choose a gentle, soap free cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture, and be sure to always wash your face with warm water. Harsh soaps and hot water can increase your chances of developing dry skin around your eyes. At Amaira we offer all-natural facial cleansers meant to not only cleanse but lighten and brighten, as well.

2. Lifestyle Changes

• Diet: Avoid processed foods and incorporate a balanced, healthy diet of antioxidant rich foods and omega-3 fatty acids. Your diet may be causing you to suffer from a vitamin or mineral deficiency, so it's important to include essential vitamins in your diet to support overall skin health. Foods like berries, nuts, leafy greens, and fatty fish are beneficial.

• Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain hydration, essential for keeping your skin hydrated and healthy.

• Environmental Protection: Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen specifically formulated for facial use. Using a humidifier in colder months can help maintain a more skin-friendly level of humidity indoors.

• Quitting Smoking: When smoking is part of your lifestyle, it can cause your skin cell turnover to slow down, increasing the appearance of wrinkles and decreasing your skin's ability to battle dry skin or heal wounds.

Practice Eye Makeup Etiquette

Eye makeup, when not removed properly, can contribute to dry, irritated skin around the eyes. Completely removing eye makeup before bed can help prevent dryness and irritation. Micellar water is an excellent option for gently removing makeup without harsh rubbing.

Consider Aging as a Factor, But Tackle it Correctly

As we age, our skin naturally becomes drier as the production of hyaluronic acid, sebum, collagen, and elastin slows down. Using gentle skincare products formulated for the delicate eye area can help address dryness without exacerbating the problem. Additionally, incorporating products that target fine lines and wrinkles can help maintain a youthful appearance.

Adopting a daily sunscreen habit is crucial for preventing wrinkles and slowing down the skin aging process. Look for sunscreens that not only protect against UV rays but also contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or vitamin C to mitigate the drying effects of SPF.

There’s No Such Thing as Too Much Moisture

While there are a lot of dry skin under eye home remedies, an eye cream can be the most valuable addition to your skincare routine. Look for eye creams that are more hydrating than your regular moisturizer and contain ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to help hold water in the skin. When applying eye cream, be sure to pat it around the orbital bone and avoid the lashline to prevent excess rubbing.

When Should You Seek Professional Help?

If over-the-counter treatments fail to alleviate your symptoms or if your condition worsens, it may be time to seek professional advice. A dermatologist can assess your individual situation and recommend specialized treatments tailored to your needs.

Conditions like allergic reactions, pink eye, or other skin complications require immediate medical attention to ease symptoms and prevent long-term damage.

Need An Effective Solution for the Dry Skin Under Your Eyes?

Effectively managing dry skin around the eyes requires a careful, personalized approach. By fully understanding the underlying causes and adopting a focused skincare routine, you can alleviate dryness and ensure the health and resilience of the delicate skin in this area.

When it comes to getting rid of dry skin under your eyes, Amaira Ultra-Lift Face Firming Serum offers a botanical powerhouse with ingredients like Manjakani extract, organic aloe vera, witch hazel extract, and Pueraria Mirifica.

This formula is specifically designed to tighten and plump the skin, quickly reducing the appearance of fine lines, crow's feet, and wrinkles. Immediate results are visible, providing a firmer, more youthful complexion in just minutes.

Aloe vera in the serum combats free radicals and improves skin elasticity, while Manjakani extract boosts collagen production, promoting skin tightening. Suitable for all skin types, the serum's advanced formula is gentle yet effective, ensuring noticeable firmness shortly after application. With regular use, long-lasting results are achievable, helping to maintain a rejuvenated look.

Remember, skincare is highly individual, so be sure to monitor how your skin responds to different treatments and adjust your approach as needed. With the right skin care routine, and attention, dry skin under the eyes can be effectively managed, helping you maintain a radiant and youthful appearance.

Still Have Questions?

We understand that tackling this area of your skin can be complicated. If that’s the case, please reach out and contact us.

Our team of professionals at Amaira have a vast array of experience and knowledge and most likely, we can answer your questions for you so that you can begin your skin journey to reach your desired goal.