11 Ways to Treat Dry Skin Around the Eyes, According to an Esthetician
If you’ve ever noticed dry, flaky skin around your eyes, you’re not alone! This delicate area often shows signs of dryness faster than the rest of our face. It can be frustrating to deal with irritation and dullness in such a sensitive spot. In this post, we’ll dive into the best expert-recommended tips and products to hydrate, nourish, and rejuvenate the skin around your eyes. Say goodbye to dryness and hello to a refreshed, luminous look!
Meet the Expert
- Lindsay Holdorf, Licensed Esthetician
Why the Skin Around the Eyes Becomes Dry
Dry skin around the eyes can be attributed to several factors. First, the skin in this area is naturally thinner and more sensitive than the rest of the face, making it more susceptible to environmental aggressors such as harsh weather, pollution, and UV exposure. Additionally, aging plays a significant role, as the skin loses elasticity and moisture over time. Frequent exposure to screens can also contribute to dryness, as blue light can dehydrate the skin. Other factors include the use of irritating skincare products, allergens, and underlying health conditions such as eczema or dermatitis. Understanding these causes is crucial for implementing effective treatments to restore hydration and maintain the health of this delicate area.
Key Ingredients to Help Treat Dry Skin Around the Eyes
When addressing dry skin around the eyes, incorporating specific key ingredients can make a significant difference. Look for hydrating agents such as hyaluronic acid, which attracts moisture and plumps the skin, providing essential hydration. Glycerin is another excellent choice, as it draws moisture to the skin and helps maintain its barrier function. Additionally, nourishing ingredients like ceramides and essential fatty acids strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, preventing further water loss. Antioxidants such as vitamin E and green tea extract can soothe irritation and protect against environmental damage. Lastly, calming agents like chamomile and aloe vera help reduce redness and inflammation, making them ideal for sensitive skin. By choosing products rich in these ingredients, you can effectively treat and prevent dryness in this delicate area.
Esthetician-Recommended Ways for How to Treat Dry Skin Around the Eyes
1. Hydration is Key
Keeping the skin around your eyes well-hydrated is crucial because this area is particularly prone to dryness and fine lines.
Featured Product: SkinCeuticals Eye Balm Hydrating Cream
160 reviews
$92.00
Rich in antioxidants and designed to provide intense hydration. Its unique formula helps to restore moisture levels while protecting the skin from environmental stressors, making it an excellent choice for combating dryness.
Key Ingredients: Soy Isoflavones, Vitamin E, Silymarin
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Esthetician Tip: Apply a small amount with your ring finger using a gentle tapping motion to minimize tugging on the delicate skin.
2. Brighten Up
Brightening the eye area can make you look more awake and refreshed.
Featured Product: SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream
155 reviews
$92.00
Lightweight yet powerful, formulated with peptides and antioxidants that not only hydrate but also reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Regular use can improve skin tone and texture, giving you a brighter, more youthful look.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid Blend, Marine Extracts, Vitis Flower Stem Cell Extract, Caffeine, Persian Silk Tree Extract and St. Paul’s Wort
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Esthetician Tip: Use this cream in the morning to take advantage of its brightening effects, applying it before your sunscreen for maximum protection.
3. Choose Gel Formulas
Gel-based products are often more refreshing and can help reduce puffiness.
Featured Product: Obagi Medical Daily Hydro-Drops Rejuvenating Eye Gel Cream
1 reviews
$75.00
Features a unique blend of hydro-drops that deliver an immediate cooling effect. The lightweight gel penetrates deeply to provide lasting hydration, making it ideal for soothing dry skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Glycerin, Tuberose
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Esthetician Tip: Store this gel in the fridge for a refreshing application that helps reduce puffiness while delivering hydration.
4. Deep Moisturization
For those dealing with severe dryness, deep hydration is essential.
Featured Product: Neocutis LUMIÈRE FIRM RICHE Extra Moisturizing Illuminating & Tightening Eye Cream
194 reviews
$125.00
Ultra-rich eye cream that combines multiple peptides and growth factors to nourish and hydrate. This luxurious formula not only locks in moisture but also helps improve firmness and elasticity, making it perfect for restoring the youthful appearance of dry skin.
Key Ingredients: Growth Factors, Proprietary Peptides, Caffeine, Vitamin C
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Esthetician Tip: Apply this cream in a thin layer both morning and night to promote firm and youthful-looking skin around the eyes.
5. Repair and Nourish
Supporting your skin’s natural barrier is important for preventing dryness.
Featured Product: Revision Skincare D.E.J Eye Cream
203 reviews
$120.00
Contains a blend of beneficial ingredients that work to hydrate, repair, and strengthen the skin barrier. Its innovative formula helps to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, providing long-lasting moisture and nourishment for dry, sensitive skin.
Key Ingredients: Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Amino Acid Copper Complex, Goji Fruit Extract
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Esthetician Tip: Use a pea-sized amount and gently massage it around the orbital bone to enhance absorption and stimulate circulation
6. Gentle Ingredients Matter
Sensitive skin requires special care, and gentle formulations can help restore moisture without irritation.
Featured Product: Epionce Renewal Eye Cream
122 reviews
$78.00
Designed with calming botanical ingredients that hydrate and soothe the delicate eye area. This cream helps to restore the skin’s moisture balance, making it ideal for anyone with dry or reactive skin.
Key Ingredients: Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Safflower Seed Oil, Meadowfoam Extract, Flax (Linseed) Seed Extract, Shea Butter, Hyaluronic Acid
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Esthetician Tip: For best results, apply this cream after your serums to lock in moisture and maximize its hydrating benefits.
7. Triple Action Care
A multi-tasking product can simplify your routine while effectively addressing multiple concerns.
Featured Product: Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Triple Correction Eye Care
$40.00
Combines hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and other soothing agents to hydrate deeply and reduce signs of aging. This powerful formula targets dryness, dark circles, and puffiness, offering comprehensive care for the eye area.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Avene Thermal Spring Water
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Esthetician Tip: Apply this product to clean skin, allowing a few minutes to absorb before following with additional skincare products for optimal hydration.
8. Boost Regeneration
Encouraging skin renewal is key to maintaining a youthful appearance.
Featured Product: BIOEFFECT EGF Power Eye Cream
$149.00
Contains epidermal growth factors that stimulate skin regeneration and enhance hydration. This advanced cream helps to improve skin texture and elasticity, making it especially beneficial for dry skin that shows signs of aging.
Key Ingredients: BIOEFFECT EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), Caffeine, Bakuchiol, Barley Seed Extract, Niacinamide
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Esthetician Tip: Use this cream in your nighttime routine to take advantage of its regenerative properties while you sleep.
9. Use Masks for Extra TLC
Weekly masks can provide an intensive boost of hydration, especially after long days.
Featured Product: BIOEFFECT Imprinting Eye Mask
Infused with nourishing ingredients that deliver concentrated moisture directly to the skin. These masks help to smooth and rejuvenate the eye area, making them perfect for combating dryness and fatigue.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Esthetician Tip: For a pampering experience, place the mask in the refrigerator for a few minutes before application to enhance its cooling and soothing effects.
10. Instant Relief with Eye Patches
Eye patches are perfect for on-the-go hydration, especially when your skin feels particularly dry.
Featured Product: Augustinus Bader The Eye Patches
3 reviews
$23.00
Key Ingredients: TFC8®, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Green Tea Extract
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Esthetician Tip: Gently press the patches onto clean, dry skin, and leave them on for 10-15 minutes to allow the active ingredients to penetrate deeply.
11. Hydrating Hydro-Gel Patches
Another great option for quick moisture.
Featured Product: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
140 reviews
$55.00
These patches provide intense hydration and are infused with hyaluronic acid to help draw moisture into the skin. They’re ideal for refreshing tired eyes and minimizing dryness and puffiness.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Caffeine, Ceramide NP, Collagen and Marshmallow Root Extract
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Esthetician Tip: Use these patches on tired or puffy eyes as needed and follow with your favorite eye cream for an extra boost of hydration.
The Bottom Line
Caring for dry skin around the eyes requires a thoughtful approach that combines hydration, nourishment, and protection. By understanding the causes of dryness and incorporating key ingredients, you can effectively restore moisture and improve the overall appearance of this delicate area. Regularly using specialized eye creams, hydrating masks, and patches can enhance your efforts, delivering targeted relief and rejuvenation. Remember, consistency is key— make these products a staple in your routine to combat dryness. With the right care, you can enjoy beautifully hydrated skin around your eyes, helping you feel confident and radiant every day!
Esthetics has been a lifelong passion for Lindsay. Growing up as a dancer fueled her love of makeup and skin care from an early age, ultimately leading her to pursue esthetics school after college. In over five years of experience as a licensed esthetician, she cultivated a diverse skill set, from running her own makeup artistry business and working in a Forbes-listed resort spa, to collaborating with dermatologists and nurse practitioners in performing medical aesthetic treatments. Since then, she has joined the Dermstore team offering virtual consultation services and more to make skin care education easily accessible for everyone, no matter where they're located.
