One of the questions we often receive at CV Skinlabs is this: Should I put moisturizer on my eyelids?
It’s a good question. After all, we’re usually taught to pat serum under the eyes and around the edges of the eyes to help combat fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and dark circles.
But rarely are we told what to do with the skin on our eyelids. So for all of you who have been wondering about it, this post is for you!
Should I Put Moisturizer On My Eyelids?
The simple answer to this question is: Yes. But you need to take some precautions.
The skin around the eyes and on the eyelids is not the same as that on the rest of your face. It’s thinner and more sensitive. That means you need to be careful about what kind of moisturizer you use when applying under the eyes and on the eyelids.
Moisturizers filled with harsh preservatives, petrolatum products, and drying alcohols, for instance, should be avoided. But then, we suggest you avoid these products for the rest of your skin too! If you use them on your eyes, however, you may notice more issues like irritation, redness, inflammation, and even breakouts.
Then there is the question of whether some of the product may get into the eye, and that’s where you need to be extra careful.
Should I Be Worried About Putting Moisturizer On My Eyelids?
One of the reasons people worry about putting moisturizer on their eyelids is that there is a risk that some of the formula could get in the eyes.
This could happen while you’re applying the product, but it could also happen later in the day. As your body temperature changes, it can warm the product, thinning it and allowing it to get into the eye where it could cause irritation.
This is why products formulated for usage around the eyes have to follow very specific protocols and undergo rigorous testing to make sure they’re safe for the eye area. Mascara, eye shadow, eye primer, and concealer must all meet these requirements to be allowed onto the market.
Most manufacturers avoid recommending that you use their products on the eyes because they’re not approved for such use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also states that you should use eye products only for their intended use, as doing otherwise could put your eyes at risk.
Since most products recommend that you use them only under the eyes or around the eyes, that can leave customers confused. Some moisturizers go so far as to state that you should strictly avoid the eye area.
So what should you do? Keep reading. We have some recommendations.
Should I Put Moisturizer on My Eyelids If I Have Dermatitis?
It is possible to develop dermatitis on the eyelids. It’s not common, but it does happen.
Just like you can get dry skin because of aging, a dry climate, low humidity, allergens, and other factors, you can get dry eyelids for the same reasons. If you have dermatitis in other areas of the body, it may affect your eyelids as well. That means your eyelids could be sensitive to triggers like changes in temperature, allergens, and even the ingredients in certain hair and cosmetic products.
Symptoms of eyelid dermatitis may include the following:
- Dry skin
- Redness
- Swelling
- Rashes
- Itch
- Flakiness
- Irritation
- Pain
Occasionally, dry, flaking eyelids may also be a sign of another health issue, such as a thyroid disorder, lupus, or psoriasis.
How to Treat Dry, Flaking Eyelids
If you’re struggling with dry, flaky, red, or irritated eyelids, try these tips:
Check Your Products
It could be that one or more of the products that you use around your eyes, or even some of your hair products (like hairspray), could be irritating the skin around your eyes. It is also possible to develop a reaction to a product that you’ve used for years, as your skin can become sensitized to it.
Start by checking all the ingredients in the products you’re using to make sure they’re as clean as possible. Then consider limiting what you’re using for a week to your basic cleanser and moisturizer. Gradually add products back in so you can identify any that may be causing you problems.
Don’t forget to check your makeup remover. If you’re doing a lot of rubbing on your eyes, that could be the source of your irritation. Or there may be ingredients (like alcohol) in the remover that are bothering you.
Drop the Anti-Aging Eye Creams for a Bit
Some eye creams have strong active ingredients in them, like retinol and acids. This is to help you delay the appearance of aging, but it may be too much for the sensitive skin on your eyelids.
Try avoiding these creams for a while, and swap them out for a simple healing ointment or cream instead. We recommend our Rescue + Relief Spray (see below) applied carefully with a cotton ball, followed by our Calming Moisture.
Check the Expiration Dates
How long have you had your mascara? Your eye shadow? Your eyeliner?
Some of these products—particularly mascara—should be thrown out before you think. As we noted in our article about spring-cleaning your makeup bag, mascara is safe for only three months, so if yours is older than that, toss it. Liquid liners and concealers should go after six months. Beyond that, use your best judgment, but don’t keep anything more than a year.
Clean Out Your Makeup Bag
If you regularly store eye products in your makeup bag, that could be another source of irritants.
In one study, scientists tested a group of products commonly found in makeup bags. Results showed that about 79-90 percent of all products were contaminated with bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Citrobacter freundii.
These bacteria can cause illnesses ranging from skin infections to blood poisoning, particularly when used near the eyes and mouth, or over cuts and grazes. But of course, they can also cause eye irritation if they get near your eyes.
You can read more about this study on our post about deadly superbugs in your makeup bag. Meanwhile, dump yours out and clean everything so you have a fresh start.
Protect Your Eyes
Finally, as you’re allowing your eyes to heal, be sure to protect them from the elements. Use sunglasses that offer broad-spectrum protection whenever you go out, and try to avoid going out on high pollution days.
Should I Put Moisturizer On My Eyelids If It’s CV Skinlabs?
If you’re using our CV Skinlabs products, you can feel safe using them on your eyelids. They are chemical-free and non-irritating and will not only moisturize the skin on your eyelids but help heal and soothe if they are dry or flaky.
We recommend you dab a small amount of our Calming Moisture on the eyelids, patting it in with your ring finger carefully. Let dry before putting on any other product like eyeshadow or mascara.
You can also try spritzing some of our Rescue + Relief Spray on a cotton ball, then swiping that carefully across the eyelids to help cool and calm dry, sore, inflamed, and irritated eyes. The anti-inflammatory ingredients and natural cooling effect can help your eyes feel immediately better.
Have you wondered whether you should put moisturizer on your eyelids?
