Dry Skin on Your Eyelids? Here's How to Heal It at Home

The only thing more persistent than dry skin is those 15-second insurance company ads at the beginning of YouTube videos you're not allowed to skip. You can try to avoid them (or it, if we're talking about dry skin) but they will undoubtedly pop up again.

While you might come to expect parched, flaky skin, dryness on your eyelids is a different story. It's the kind of skin-care dilemma that makes you say to yourself in the bathroom mirror "Seriously?" as you assess the damage. Dry eyelid skin can be itchy and uncomfortable, can make achieving a smooth makeup application nearly impossible, and is hard to treat due to its less-than-ideal location. (Is it even safe to put a normal face moisturizer on your eyelids?!)

We're sharing how to heal dry patches on your eyelids and determine if it's just a regular case of the winter blues or due to a chronic condition like eczema.

Angela J. Lamb, MD, is an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York.

Genetics, environmental factors, beauty products, and lifestyle factors can all contribute to dry skin on your eyelids — flakey skin on your eyelids can be triggered by a number of things, just as dryness anywhere else on your body.

"Often in the winter, it is eyelid eczema or just common dry skin," professor of dermatology Angela J. Lamb, MD, says. "Often eczema is more chronic and doesn't respond as well to thicker moisturizers. Some of the most common symptoms of eczema include red and inflamed skin, an itchy rash, [and] dark-colored patches." If you're unsure, the best way to determine whether you have eczema or just regular dry skin is to see a dermatologist.

Dry skin on your eyelids is such a common issue, even those who usually have an oily or normal skin type can experience it. This is because the skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your entire body. "The eyelids are particularly vulnerable to the harsh weather conditions," says Dr. Lamb. "Particularly, the skin around this area is thin, so it's difficult to protect from the different elements."

So, what's the best way to treat it and what products can you put on eyelids? Dr. Lamb recommends applying cortisone (something you probably already have tucked away in your medicine cabinet) several times throughout the day for extreme cases and eczema. "Using a plain moisturizer [that's] fragrance-free, suitable for sensitive skin, and paraben-free is definitely something that you should opt for," she sys. It also doesn't hurt to look for additional ways to add moisture into your routine, like by incorporating a hyaluronic acid serum and switching your cleanser out for a hydrating formula in the winter or whenever you're experiencing dryness.

Jessica Harrington (she/her) is the senior editor of PS Beauty, where she oversees coverage around makeup, skin care, hair, tattoos, and more. With more than eight years of industry experience, she has interviewed countless celebrities, reported on hundreds of beauty trends, and swatched more lipsticks than she can count. Prior to PS, Jessica worked for publications such as Makeup.com, Skincare.com, and The Zoe Report.