You probably notice dry skin under eyes before you feel anywhere else on your face getting tight and irritated. It can become tight, flaky, or uncomfortable more easily because it's thinner and naturally produces less oil than the rest of the face.
So why is the skin under my eyes dry, and how do I deal with dry eyes? You’ve come to the right place. We’re going to show you how to treat dry skin around eyes after we get to the bottom of the issue. It could be as simple as adding a targeted eye treatment to your daily routine. Naturopathica offers targeted eye treatments formulated to help nourish and support the delicate skin around the eyes such as our Vitamin K eye cream and our Bakuchiol eye serum.
Signs of Dryness Around Eyes
Dryness around the eyes can appear in several ways beyond visible flaking. Common signs include:
- Tightness after washing your face (especially when it lingers more than a few minutes).
- Fine lines appearing more noticeable. This one is easy to spot if you use foundation and/or concealer, as it tends to cake or settle into the fine lines.
- Skin that feels rough or less smooth than usual.
- Visible redness under the eyes even if you weren’t itching/scratching.
One word of warning before we go any further. Dry skin under eyes alongside swelling or crusting could point towards a more serious condition rather than just a little dehydration. Don’t worry, we’ll help you nail down the root cause below.
Why is the Skin Under My Eyes Dry? 5 Possible Causes of Dry Skin Around Eyes
The issue with the skin under your eyes is it doesn’t have oil glands like the rest of your face - making it more susceptible to environmental stressors and moisture loss.
So, why is the skin under my eyes dry? Our spa clients and customers here at our online storefront usually find it to be one of these five things.
It Could Be Eczema
One possible cause is atopic dermatitis (eczema). This condition constantly flares up around the delicate eye skin, leaving it red and super itchy. Scratching only makes matters worse since you’re basically breaking down the skin barrier even further.
Watch for the issue to flare up in cycles, disappearing for weeks before coming back in full force. A dermatologist will help diagnose you with eczema and come up with a plan for treatment.
Different Types of Dermatitis
Eczema is just one type of dermatitis. There’s also contact dermatitis, which happens when your skin reacts to a physical threat - a new eye cream, a makeup remover, or even something you touched and then rubbed your eye with on accident.
Then there’s seborrheic dermatitis. This one shows up in the form of flaky, scaly patches under the eye. It’s linked to yeast overgrowth on the skin, and again, warrants a visit to a dermatologist. A professional can help you figure out the exact type of dermatitis you’re dealing with and come up with the right treatment approach.
Your Environment (Dry Air)
Low humidity is common in dry regions year-round, and pretty much everywhere in winter. You might not even realize it until your skin tries to tell you it’s dehydrated. Ask yourself, did the skin under your eyes get drier as temperatures dropped and you started using your heater more? This could be why!
The Natural Process of Aging
Unfortunately, your skin naturally produces less Ceramide and Hyaluronic Acid as you age. Sebum production plummets, too. Collagen levels decline around the same time, so your under-eye skin is getting less moisture production and has less of the structural support it needs to stay plump.
That’s just part of getting older - your skin shows it. But, having the right skincare products in your arsenal (along with healthy lifestyle habits, of course) can slow things down and prevent it from becoming too much of an issue.
Aggressive Skincare Products or Habits
Retinoids and strong acids can strip the delicate eye area even when they work well on the rest of your face. We’ve seen alcohol-based toners cause the same issue. You should vet everything in your skincare rotation and see if something could be causing more harm than good.
Dry skin under eyes could even be caused by something as simple as rubbing your eyes with a rough towel, or removing waterproof makeup too aggressively.
What Systemic Conditions Cause Dry Skin Under Eyes?
I’ve ruled out everything above - so why is the skin under my eyes dry? It could be something more serious, such as:
- Thyroid disorders
- Diabetes
- Autoimmune conditions
In many cases, dry under-eye skin is related to environmental or skincare factors rather than an underlying medical condition.
Start by following our tips below on how to treat dry skin around eyes. Consult your healthcare provider or dermatologist for further evaluation if dryness around eyes doesn’t get better (or gets worse).
How to Treat Dry Skin Around Eyes
Treating dry skin under eyes is usually pretty simple once you know what triggered it. You want to deal with the dryness itself in the meantime (which means specially-crafted under-eye moisturizers) while addressing the root cause. Here’s how to treat dry skin around eyes.
Get a Gentler Cleanser
Foaming cleansers strip the under-eye area, we recommend switching to a gentle cream or balm cleanser that helps support the skin barrier while effectively removing makeup.
You can’t go wrong with our Manuka Honey cleansing balm! It’s infused with Probiotics to help rejuvenate the skin with moisture. Meanwhile, Biomimetic Royal Jelly Peptide (Pentapeptide-48) supports skin renewal.
Add an Eye Cream to Your Arsenal
This is the best advice we have to offer on how to treat dry skin around eyes. A dedicated eye treatment can help replenish moisture while supporting the delicate skin barrier around the eyes. The formulas are lighter and made specifically for the more delicate skin you’re trying to nourish.
You want to look for something that pairs humectant ingredients (like Hyaluronic Acid) with barrier-supporting Ceramides. It should not have any sort of fragrance, which could irritate the skin and make matters worse.
If you’re dealing with puffiness at the same time, we highly recommend our Peptide eye serum with Caffeine. It helps constrict swollen blood vessels while smoothing the surface out.
We also have an amazing lip and eye cream that brings together Primrose Oil and regenerating Acai Fruit Oil for supple, smoother skin fast. Take a look at our full collection of skincare products for sensitive skin, or ask our team for a personalized recommendation.
Address the Underlying Issue Itself
Topical products are wonderful for managing symptoms - but you still have to get to the bottom of why you’re dealing with dry skin under eyes in the first place.
Think about the root causes we covered above and consider making an appointment with your
dermatologist if you suspect it could be a form of dermatitis. Otherwise, it’s probably related to either your environment or something related to your lifestyle.
Nourish Your Skin Barrier
A compromised skin barrier can contribute to increased transepidermal water loss, making it more difficult for skin to retain moisture. This is another area where the Manuka Honey benefits come into play. This natural humectant brings helps attract and retain moisture into the skin.
You can also consider adding our Bakuchiol eye serum into your routine for a plant-based alternative to Retinol that supports cell turnover without the irritation often associated with traditional retinol.
Never Leave Home Without SPF
UV exposure speeds up Collagen and Elastin breakdown, which in turn lets moisture escape the under-eye area faster. Daily sun protection helps support the skin barrier and defend against environmental damage that can contribute to visible dryness and premature aging.
A mineral sunscreen with Zinc Oxide provides broad-spectrum protection without the chemical filters that sting sensitive eyes. It’s the last step in your morning routine, every single day. Yes, even on cloudy days.
Hydration and Lifestyle Habits
Staying well hydrated and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can help support overall skin health. Consider running a humidifier in your home or office as well, especially when the air gets drier during the winter.
Even something as simple as how you sleep can make a difference in managing dryness around eyes. You’re compressing the under-eye area against your pillow for hours if you sleep on your side, so try changing your sleeping position. Some also find that silk pillowcases help reduce friction on delicate facial skin and eye area overnight.
When to See an Expert For Dryness Around Eyes
We’ve mentioned already that dry skin under eyes could be a sign of eczema or some other form of dermatitis, so consider scheduling an appointment with your local dermatologist if things don’t get better after 2-3 weeks. Or, if pain/vision changes come with the dryness around eyes.
A professional can help uncover the specific cause. They’ll be able to prescribe solutions that over-the-counter products cannot match. Bring a list of the products you currently use, as they might be able to help you identify the culprit based on the label alone.
Final Words on Dealing With Dry Skin Under Eyes
Thinner skin and fewer oil glands mean the delicate skin under your eyes is more vulnerable to dryness and irritation. The good news is you now know how to deal with dry skin around eyes, from skincare upgrades to lifestyle adjustments.
Explore Naturopathica's collection of targeted treatments for dry skin under eyes - or take our Skincare Quiz to discover products tailored to your skin's unique needs.
