11 Ways to Hydrate Dry Skin Around the Eyes

Keeping the skin around your eyes plump and hydrated can be a challenge, especially when this area is prone to dryness.

To make matters worse, this delicate area of ??the skin is known to show common signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, earlier than other areas.

“The skin around the eyes is thinner than the rest of the face, so dehydration is more noticeable, and puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, and other signs of aging are more apparent,” says dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman.

Luckily, there are steps you can take to ensure the skin around your eyes stays hydrated, plump, and healthy.

We spoke with Engelman and plastic surgeon Dr. David Schaeffer to find out why the skin around the eyes is prone to drying out, and what advice he can offer for optimal appearance and health.

01 Drink More Water

“Adequate fluids are important for everyone,” says plastic surgeon Dr. David Schaeffer. Whether it’s the skin around the eyes, hands, neck, face, or anywhere else on the body, hydrating from the inside is just as important, if not more important, than taking care of the skin’s surface with creams and serums.

02 Avoid Dry Skin

To protect the skin around your eyes, you should be proactive and avoid using products that are known to cause dry skin whenever possible. This way you can avoid dry skin in the future.

Sun damage, caffeinated beverages, dehydration, and/or alcohol can all exacerbate dry skin. So, avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol, and use sunscreen! advises Engelman.

03 Use Sunscreen

On that last point: I hope everyone wears sunscreen every day, as it not only protects against sun damage, but also against skin cancer. 1 However, even the most conscientious sunscreen users sometimes overlook important areas, such as the eye area.

Schaeffer points out that we often forget about the eye area when applying products because we are worried about getting makeup in our eyes. However, don’t forget to dab some sunscreen around your eyes in the morning and reapply throughout the day to ensure optimal coverage.

04 Use a Humidifier

Humidifiers not only help relieve nasal congestion and other cold symptoms, but they can also be an easy and effective treatment for dry skin. “The skin around the eyes is thinner than the rest of the face and body,” explains Schaeffer.

“This makes the skin more susceptible to external influences such as low humidity, which can lead to dry skin.” If you live in a naturally dry climate or notice signs of dry skin during windy or winter months, using a humidifier while you sleep can provide your skin with much-needed moisture.

05 Use products with active ingredients

“I recommend investing in a serum/cream specifically for the eye area,” says Engelman. “Serums are best for people with oily skin, while creams are for those with dry skin, as you also want to avoid wrinkles.”

It’s not just the formula that’s important—active ingredients can also help achieve the desired results. “Look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which hydrate the epidermis and thus reduce fine lines.”

06 Use products designed for the eye area

The skin is our largest organ and requires care and attention to function at its best. Healthy habits go a long way toward beautiful skin. You can achieve better results if you take the time and carefully invest in products designed specifically for the eye area.

Experts recommend using creams, masks, and serums. “SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream and Patches are probably the best products on the market,” Shafer says. “These medically based skincare products help improve skin chemistry.”

07 Treating Allergies

Allergies are often accompanied by itchy eyes. Rubbing this area of ??the face can cause micro-tears, tension, and general stress. “If you have allergies, ask your doctor about antihistamines, such as Allegra or Zyrtec,” advises Engelman.

Lymphatic drainage massage can reduce swelling, and you can do it yourself. Using the right pillow can prevent moisture from accumulating under the eyes, which can also help reduce puffiness.

08 Looking for Peptides and Other Anti-Aging Agents

Engelman recommends Revision DEJ Eye Cream ($114). It contains peptides that strengthen the skin around the eyes to prevent puffiness. She also likes Valmont L’Elixir Eye Cream ($400), which contains green tea and caffeine, which she explains “can reduce puffiness by constricting the surface capillaries.”

09 Discuss treatment options with your dermatologist

If you suffer from dry skin around your eyes and none of your previous treatments have resulted in any real improvement, you may want to see a specialist.

Since the skin around your eyes is so thin and sensitive, we definitely don’t want to stress it out by constantly dabbing and applying creams and serums. If home treatments don’t work, talk to your dermatologist about adding semi-regular eye treatments to your skincare routine.

10 Getting Treatments

“In my clinic, we offer a new premium treatment called DiamondGlow™. It uses a custom diamond tip to renew and stimulate the skin’s surface while delivering a hydrating and rejuvenating serum,” explains Shafer.

For the skin around your eyes, we use a finer diamond tip and combine it with a SkinMedica® Pro-Infusion serum. Each serum offers different benefits, including hydration and resurfacing (Ultra Hydrating), antioxidant protection (Vitamin C), fading dark spots and uneven skin tone (Brightening), and smoothing skin texture and improving clarity (Pore Purifying).

11 Always take care of your eyes

What’s the most important thing to keep the skin around your eyes looking and feeling its best? Don’t forget about them! This goes beyond just applying a special eye cream—the eye area should be protected with sunscreen and sunglasses whenever possible, and moisturized daily like the rest of your skin.

“The best advice is to not neglect the eye area,” advises Schaeffer. “Most people moisturize their face regularly, but often neglect their eyes, neck, upper chest, and hands.”