Four Ways to Smooth And Soften Your Eyelids
The skin around your eyes is about the most delicate and thin skin anywhere on your body, which means it requires special care when it comes to your skincare routine and protecting your skin in general. When the eyes are irritated, they can become puffy, red, and cause annoying symptoms. There are many potential causes of eye and eyelid irritation, and many strategies to help calm the appearance over time and reduce the chance of irritation.
Common symptoms of eye irritation include:
- Itchy eyes
- Burning sensation
- Crusting in and around the eyes
- Dry eyes
- Excessive tearing
- Gritty feeling in the eyes
If you’ve ever experienced one or many of these types of symptoms, this post is for you.
What Causes Eyelid Irritation?
While some eyelid inflammation and irritation are caused by things like seasonal allergies or even simply rubbing your eyes too much, other symptoms may be a sign of a more legitimate medical condition, such as the following:
- Blepharitis: When the oil glands in your eyelids get clogged, they can inflame and cause redness in the area.
- Mites: Tiny lice can live in your eyelash follicles and cause inflammation.
- Allergic dermatitis: This condition can be caused by eye care and makeup products that react poorly with this delicate area of skin.
- Infection: The body’s natural response to infection is inflammation in the affected area.
Chronic symptoms of irritated eyelids should be addressed by a medical professional, who can diagnose the underlying condition and find the prescription medication you need to experience relief.
At-Home Ways to Soothe Eyelid Irritation
Wash Your Eyes
The first step in trying to help your eyes feel better is to wash your eyes and/or face with a mild cleanser. If you think you have an irritating substance or particle in your actual eye, rinse out your eyes before applying soap to try to dislodge or flush out the substance. Dry your eyes by dabbing with a soft, dry towel.
Avoid Eye Makeup
As mentioned, a key contributor to eye irritation can be heavy eye makeup or the adhesives associated with false lashes. If you’ve been using a new or intense product for your makeup, consider switching to a different style or type and see if the irritation goes away.
Although contact lenses rarely cause irritation and inflammation, you may want to switch to glasses as you transition away from certain products just to avoid potentially making the issue worse.
Use Warm Pads
For immediate relief, some skincare experts recommend applying a lightly warmed eye mask to your eyes when they feel irritated. A warm pad or compress helps stimulate circulation, which can reduce the inflammation by improving blood flow. Just make sure you sanitize whatever you’re using first to avoid infection.
Adjust Your Skincare Routine
Sometimes, products you use on a daily basis can get in your eyes or cause irritation due to their harsh formulas. If you have sensitive skin, try gentler formulas and specific eye creams with natural ingredients.