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Eyes – they are the first to attract attention. Unfortunately, however, it is also an extremely sensitive area, prone to redness, dryness, swelling and irritation. How to properly care for the skin around the eyes that is irritated as a result of allergic reactions, high sensitivity and dryness?
The skin around the eyes is a unique area of our face that requires proper care, especially for people with very sensitive skin. First of all, the skin around the eyes is much thinner than the skin covering the rest of the face and more sensitive to external factors. [1]
Compared to the skin on the cheeks, where the skin is about 2 mm thick, the skin around the eyes is only 0,33-0,36 mm. In addition, the lack of subcutaneous fat and a small number of sebaceous and sweat glands in this place mean that the skin is not able to properly defend itself against, among others. changes in temperature or the sun [2] Unfortunately, red and irritated skin around the eyes is not uncommon, especially in people prone to eczema, allergies or hypersensitivity.
In addition to redness and intense itching, there may also be peeling of the epidermis, lumps, blisters, thickening and even darkening of the skin. In some cases, inflammatory changes in the eyelids and eye structures as a result of AD can even worsen vision.
The causes of such changes are most often the use of inappropriate care and color cosmetics, allergens, hormonal problems, inadequate diet and external factors. Various stressful situations can also adversely affect the skin under the eyes, which can even lead to the appearance of hives. In people with AD, even the ingredients of drugs applied to the skin can sensitize – most often lanolin and glucocorticosteroids are allergic.
The basis of care – proper washing and makeup removal
Proper make-up removal of these areas is crucial and the effectiveness of our further skin care depends on it. It is worth choosing a cosmetic that is gentle and effective enough so that you do not have to stretch the skin excessively and rub these areas during washing. It can be a micellar liquid, a hypoallergenic gel, a make-up remover oil or a multi-functional milk (eg Atoderm Intensive eye), which can handle even the strongest make-up without damaging the skin’s hydro-lipid coat. In people with atopic dermatitis or skin prone to allergies, washing the skin with ordinary soap is contraindicated.
Importantly, after washing your face under running water, you should immediately dry it gently by applying a towel to prevent excessive drying. Contrary to appearances, excessive soaking of the skin does not promote its hydration, but dehydration. [7] When using cosmetic pads, remember to gently wash off makeup with circular movements, and when removing mascara, always do it vertically, from the root to the end of the eyelashes. Appropriate make-up removal tailored to our needs should always be the basis of care, not only in the period of intensification of symptoms and pathological changes.
What cosmetics does the skin around the eyes need?
Although you can use the same creams around the eyes as on the rest of the face, for people with sensitive skin, doing so can do more harm than good. The right eye care product should first of all be tested by ophthalmology and dermatology specialists.
People with particularly sensitive skin (e.g. with AD) should make sure that eye care products contain ingredients that supplement lipids in the stratum corneum (e.g. emollients) and restore proper skin hydration. Its appropriate consistency is also important – it should be thick enough so that the cream does not run down into the eyes, and at the same time it spreads easily so that you do not have to stretch the skin excessively. [3]
For the daily care of the skin of the eyelids, it is worth choosing a multi-purpose cosmetic that will not only effectively remove makeup or impurities, but also moisturize and nourish the skin. Such a product is Atoderm Intensive eye from Bioderma, which was created to reduce the number of care products for sensitive and irritated skin. It can be used both as a cleansing product for make-up removal and as a day cream under makeup.
It is intended for the daily care of even the most sensitive and irritated skin of the eyelids, prone to atopy or allergies. It fights the symptoms of irritation of the eyelids, and the applied SKIN BARRIER THERAPY ™ patent reduces the adhesion of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), which may aggravate skin dryness.
In addition, the current Lipigenium technology affects the production of lipids and restores the natural protective barrier of the skin, which is especially important in people with atopic dermatitis. What’s more, the safe packaging of TubAirlessTM reduces the risk of bacterial growth thanks to the backflow air blocking system, so daily use of the product on the eyelids is very safe. Find out more!
Everyday habits for which your skin around your eyes will thank you
In addition to choosing the right cosmetic, the appropriate method of their application is also important. The product should be applied as gently as possible. It is recommended that eye creams are applied with the ring fingers as they have the least amount of pressure. The cosmetic is best applied with a tapping motion, making a circle, from the outer to the inner corner. [4]
Remember that no cream or other cosmetic can replace a healthy lifestyle and the right amount of sleep every day. It should be a minimum seven-hour rest – it is during this time that our skin regenerates. People with AD should also take care of proper hydration and temperature in the room. Atopic skin should never be overheated – it is worth having, for example, chilled eye pads on hand, which will reduce skin itching and bring relief.
Atopic skin may also react poorly to certain washing powders and softeners. In order not to aggravate the symptoms, it is worth choosing gentle detergents with a natural composition. It is also better to give up clothes containing wool, which is especially often poorly tolerated by people with atopic dermatitis. [5] [6]