Having dry skin around the eyes is a really common problem. It can range from just some minor dehydration to irritating dryness and lines, or the high end of the scale where skin is very distressed with flaky, red and inflamed. In this article we look at the causes of dry skin around the eyes, and then the natural treatments available to heal this concern. The skin around the eyes is very sensitive and prone to dryness as it lacks sebaceous glands. However, there are many things that can be done to remedy this condition. Follow these steps for fresh, comfortable hydrated skin around the eyes.

• Keep a diary and look for patterns causing dry skin around the eyes like stress, weather conditions or allergies and remove/ manage the cause
• Use a natural hydrating eye cream product to put vitality and moisture back to skin around eyes, and protect them from environmental stress
• Avoid synthetic make-up and face products
• Eat a diet rich in Omega 3 oil, vitamins and minerals
• Keep hydrated by drinking 8 glasses of water a day
• Change any lifestyle factors affecting the skin such as smoking, alcohol or lack of sleep
• Keep active with regular exercise
• Remember that some dry skin around the eyes maybe due to an illness or health condition, which would require professional medical advice

What Causes Dry Skin Around The Eyes

Dry skin around the eyes can be from a whole host of reasons, ranging from medical conditions to lifestyle factors, skin care routine, or the weather. The skin around the eyes is susceptible to dryness which is due to the lower amount oil glands in this area of the face. Oil glands secrete sebum and this sebum keeps the skin moisturised. Without this constant flow of oil and moisture it makes dryness more likely, as well as lines and wrinkles being more prominent the skin may appear dark and look dull. The most common causes of dry eye skin includes:

• Allergies
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Poor diet
• Dehydration
• Ageing
• Using synthetic skincare and makeup
• Hot showers
• Low humidity in winter
• Being exposed to the sun without protection

• Medical conditions such as facial eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis

How To Heal Dry Skin Around The Eyes

The first key step is to work out what is causing the dryness around the eyes and then try to remove this from your lifestyle or manage it. Begin by keeping a diary for a month and note the food eaten, the weather and activities for the day. Alongside this monitor and make a note of the dry skin condition around eyes. Note when it flares up and when it subsides. The diary aims to look for patterns causing the dry skin around the eyes as it might be from problems such as from stress, weather conditions or allergies. Once the month is complete analyse the results to see what the likely cause of the dry skin around eyes is. Then work to remove this from your lifestyle, or manage the cause. 

The causes for this condition can often be easily prevented, especially when it is due to lifestyle factors such as insufficient sleep and constant late nights, poor nutrition, excessive cleansing, skincare and cosmetic choices, hot showers, smoking or alcohol.

Good nutrition is really important for skin health and especially ensuring there is omega-3 fatty acids in the diet found in foods like oily fish, nuts and avocadoes. It’s important to always include lots of fruit and vegetables in the food we eat, as they contain a mass of vitamins and minerals like selenium for healthy skin. Vitamin C and vitamin A deficiency are linked to dry skin. Good natural sources of both vitamins are carrots, sweet potato and red pepper. As well as eating the right foods, avoid things that can aggravate skin conditions like smoking, alcohol and sugar.

The weather can play a huge role in the state of our skin as it puts environmental stress on the skin. This is especially true in winter when humidity levels are low, or when it has been exposed to the hot sun and the skin tans. In winter our eyes are usually on show and exposed to the cold harsh conditions. The low humidity in cold weather zaps moisture from the skin, so this delicate area is prone to drying out. This is where a natural eye product will help dramatically. Always keep the skin around eyes protected with a good eye cream such as our Nakin Eye Cream Complex. As well as conditioning and hydrating skin around the eyes, it helps to protect the area and prevent stress from the cold. In summer always ensure to wear sunglasses or a hat, and make sure that eyes are protected from the UVA and UVB rays. Not only are these incredible damaging to skin, if our skin is able to tan then it is likely to peel afterwards, and skin will be irritated and flaky.

Avoid using synthetic cosmetics and face products with chemicals in as they can contain ingredients that disrupt the balance of the skin. Instead use natural skincare that is made without ingredients like parabens, sodium laurel sulphate, artificial colour and fragrance. Also be careful on the amount of make-up applied to the eyes as it can irritate the skin if the eye area is already sensitive. Remove make-up with a gentle natural cleansing milk and avoid harsh face washes and cleansers.

If the eye skin is dry and itchy then try to avoid rubbing the skin, as this will make it more irritated. If skin is really irritated try applying a cool damp cloth over it, to try and reduce the inflammation. Water is so helpful to skin in many ways. Staying hydrated and drinking lots of it really boosts skin and it will look healthier with less darkness, dryness and lines.

Apply a high-quality anti-ageing eye cream like our Nakin Eye Cream Complex morning and evening. It’s made with the best plant actives for skin around the eyes such as line smoothing Hibiscus, reviving green tea and anti-oxidant pomegranate. As well as hydration boosting Hyaluronic Acid. The springy texture glides on skin like silk and it has long lasting hydration, repairing and protecting properties.

Avoid late nights as sleep is when skin repairs itself and sleep keeps us in all round good health. It can be hard in a fast paced lifestyle, but sleep is worth prioritising. During sleep our system rebalances itself and will improve dry skin conditions. If you have trouble sleeping then avoid caffeinated drinks in the evening, and do not keep gadgets in the bedroom. Hot baths before bedtime are good for relaxing our bodies and preparing us for sleep.

The thing to remember is that the lifestyle factors that help with skin dryness, also benefit our overall health, and exercising is another one of these factors. It benefits skin by improving blood circulation and oxygenation in the body.

One easy way to alleviate dry skin around the eyes is to have a good gentle and consistent skincare routine with products like Nakins's. Begin by choosing a hydrating, fragrance-free eye cream that is specifically formulated for sensitive skin. Apply this cream with your ring finger, dabbing gently to avoid stretching the delicate skin. Incorporating a humidifier into your living space can also help, as it adds moisture to the air, reducing skin dryness. Additionally, ensure adequate hydration by drinking plenty of water and consider using a gentle, non-irritating sunscreen around your eyes to protect against harsh environmental factors. Always consult with a dermatologist before trying new skincare products, especially if you have sensitive skin or a condition like eczema or psoriasis.

We hope that this advice helps to banish any dry skin around the eyes. Of course, sometimes dryness around the eyes is not due to lifestyle factors and is brought on by medical conditions such as facial eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis or blepharitis, or other medical conditions. So, if your dry skin around the eyes is not improved with a good eye cream then we recommend discussing this with your general practitioner. Dry skin issues around the eyes can be distressing from the flaky and scaly looking skin, as well as symptoms like redness, swelling, itching and rashes. Our tips for improving skin health by drinking lots of water, using natural skin products, protecting skin and eating healthily will definitely help. If the symptoms are serious, sudden or lasting then we always recommend seeking medical advice in case an actual condition is causing the problem.

Nakin are experts in natural living and natural skincare. Find out more about our award winning face care range at www.nakinskincare.com The full range is made in the UK and cruelty free.