Everything You Need To Know About Dry Eyelids — From Causes To Remedies + FAQ

If you don't know why your lids are drying out, we've got you covered. Plus, what to do next, when to see a doctor, and some of the best products for dry, sensitive lids.

With all of these factors combined, it's no wonder the eyes are more prone to dryness and irritation. If you've had dry, flaky, or rashy eyes before, you're certainly not alone. The causes of dry eyelids vary greatly—the most common below.

There are so many reasons that your eyelids could be dry—some may be in your control, while others aren't so much. Here, an overview of the most common causes of dry eyelids.

"Chronic rubbing can cause lichenification of the skin—darkening and thickening," board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., tells mbg. "Also, rubbing the eyes increases risk of exposing this delicate skin to something on the fingers that could trigger contact dermatitis," she continues. More on dermatitis in a bit.

What's more, plenty of people often forget about the eyelids when layering hydrating serums and moisturizers on. While you should be more careful about which products you select, the eye skin does need some TLC too. We'll go over how to find the best products below.

As you age, your levels of ceramides1, hyaluronic acid2, and collagen3 decrease in the skin. Collagen and elastin loss will contribute to general physical skin aging—think fine lines and wrinkles. However, the loss of HA and ceramides contributes to dryer skin overall, the eyelids included.

Especially for those living in cities or other high-pollution areas, your skin is more subject to oxidative stress—which, in essence, is when molecules called free radicals cause damage to skin cell structure and DNA4.

If you're not going to put sunscreen on the eyelids, then you should be wearing sunglasses. Beyond the risk of accelerated skin aging, "Excess sun can also cause actinic keratosis, or precancerous lesions that can occur around the eyelid and brow region appearing as dry, scaly, sharp red bumps," board-certified dermatologist Jason Miller, M.D., FAAD, tells mbg.  

Of course, keeping your eye products clean is a must—but you may want to consider opting for clean, nontoxic nail polish as well—here are a few of our favorite brands to get you started.

"Eczema (atopic dermatitis) can sometimes affect the eyelids," King says. Even if you don't have eczema on your entire face, you can still have eczema patches on the eyelids. It will be extra important to use eczema-safe products in this area—more on that to come.

If your eyes themselves are dry, your lids may be next in line. If you want to learn more about causes and treatments for dry eyes—read this.  

Like eczema, rosacea can affect one part of the face such as the lids or the face as a whole. Rosacea can show up as redness and sensitivity but also small pimplelike bumps. Be sure to see a dermatologist to determine whether or not you have rosacea before trying to clear it up on your own.

"Blepharitis is inflammation of the Meibomian glands in the eyelids that causes dry, itching, and inflamed eyelid skin," Marcus explains. There are plenty of prescription-grade products that can help with this, from special eyedrops to antibiotics, but you should get a diagnosis from a medical professional to treat this kind of inflammation.

As Marcus mentioned earlier, the eyelids may be particularly sensitive to drying out. If you're lacking water—whether it be internal or external—that may be contributing to dry eyelids (and dry eyes, as well). 

Smoking can have many effects on the body, eyes included. "Smoking causes vasoconstriction or decreased blood flow to the skin, which in turn inhibits optimal delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin," Marcus says. "This can lead to dry, dull skin," she continues.

"When we're on screens, we only blink half as often as we do normally," optometrist Mary Ann Ellement, O.D., once told mbg.

Gentle reminder: How much and how well you sleep does impact your skin, and maybe more than you think. Lack of high-quality sleep contributes to higher TWEL, or transepidermal water loss5, research shows.

See, sleeping in your makeup may increase the chance that the products drip into the eye itself or sit on the lid for too long and cause irritation. More on spotting clean products below.

Use a gentle makeup remover, such as an oil cleanser or micellar water to remove your eye makeup (on the lid, lashes, and under the eyes) before cleansing and keep the cleanser away from these delicate areas.

A caveat: Some retinols or serums are formulated for the eye area specifically—those are usually fine, although you will likely want to proceed with caution if you have sensitive lids.

Now that you have an idea of what could be causing your dry eyelids, let's walk through how to fix it:

The first step is trying to identify what is causing your dry lids in the first place. Use the list above as a guide and walk through each step, using the process of elimination to figure out which one (or two, or three) might apply to you. This will guide the next few steps.

If you want even more protection, apply your eye cream or an occlusive oil to the eyelids and under eyes before using your potent serums. This will help protect the skin going forward in your routine.

Retinol eye creams can work wonders for fine lines and wrinkles, but they're not for everyone. If you have dry, sensitive eyelids (or under-eyes), then a gentle, calming eye cream will be a better fit. Scan this list for some A+ products to consider.

Set an alarm to get up and remove your makeup and cleanse your skin when you begin to feel sleepy. Better yet, if you tend to sleep in your makeup often, keep a daily reminder on your phone to take it off. (Eventually, it will become habit and you won't have to set reminders.) This will help prevent eye irritation and dry eyelids, as well as encourage healthy skin overall.

Be sure to keep your mascara as natural as possible as well—here are our top picks if you're ready to shop.

As King has mentioned throughout, your hands pick up a ton of dirt and irritants throughout the day. Try to wash your hands often and never touch your face before cleansing them.

It's certainly easier said than done, but prioritizing sleep and stress management can have a significant impact on your skin. In addition, phasing out harmful practices like smoking cigarettes and not consuming enough water will make drastic differences as well.

If your eyelids are second to your eye pain, redness, itchiness, or general discomfort, then you may want to consider adding an eye health supplement to your routine—here's a quick list of the best ones we've found to save you some time.

If your dry eyelids are leading to pain and discomfort, or they persist for more than a few weeks of at-home treatment, then you should consult a dermatologist. Seeing a derm will open the doors for prescription-grade remedies as well as help you get to the bottom of the initial cause.

If you're choosing a serum, moisturizer, or eye cream for dry or sensitive lids, look for these ingredients:

Now, a few ingredients to avoid getting on this sensitive area:

Dry eyelids can be pesky, painful, and hard to manage. The best way to go about treating them is to identify your triggers, use clean and gentle eye products, and see a doctor if the dryness persists or gets worse. Easing dry eyes is a whole different story—if that's what you're looking for, check out this breakdown, too.