How to treat dry and swollen eyelids
If your eyelids are dry and swollen, know you’re not alone.
Dry skin - especially around the eyes - is very common in the winter months when the humidity level outside drop. When the air outside is cold and dry, the water in your skin evaporates more quickly; this makes your skin feel dry and tight, which often leads to flaking.
In fact, here’s a rather shocking statistic:
Your skin loses more than 25% of its ability to hold moisture in the winter.
Taking proper care of your skin can be tricky, even on a normal day, but during the festive season- the winter months when the temperatures drop and the humidity levels plummet, keeping your skin hydrated can become a challenge.
Putting in extra steps to keep your skin moisturized will avoid chapping, itchiness and cracking.
That’s why we’re sharing this blog on dry skin and SPECIFICALLY how to treat eyelids that are dry and swollen - in January and February specifically.
What causes dry skin?
When your skin doesn’t have enough protective oils, moisture escapes from it, resulting in dryness. This effect can intensify during the winter when environmental humidity is low.
The skin has three layers, each with a distinct role. The lowest or innermost layer consists of subcutaneous fat, which provides insulation, energy storage, and shock absorption. Above that is the dermis, which contains blood vessels, nerves, sweat and oil glands, and hair follicles. The top layer is the epidermis, the skin's main protective barrier and the level where drying occurs. It consists of stacked layers of cells that are constantly in transition, as younger, living cells rise from the lower part of the epidermis and eventually die and fall off after reaching the surface. This continuous cycle completely renews the skin about once a month. [source]
The specific culprits of dry skin in winter time
Windy weather: Especially if you enjoy winter sports, wind can beat down on your skin and make it look and feel dry and chapped. This especially irritates around the eyes.
Indoor heating: Dry indoor air can cause dry skin and chapped lips, so try setting your heater to the lowest comfortable setting. You can also use a humidifier, especially at night time- it will help replenish the moisture the air dried out by the heat.
Why your eyelids are becoming dry and swollen
Your eyelids are one of the few body parts rarely protected. There aren’t sweaters or ear muffs around your eyelids. Always being exposed to the elements, they can become flaky, scaly, and rough.
And as you too well probably know, symptoms that may accompany dry skin on the eyelid include irritation, redness, and itchiness, among others.
The skin on your eyelids is unique when compared to other parts of your body- the skin there is thinner, without much fat cushioning it. Additionally, the eyelids and surrounding areas are very vascular, meaning that a lot of blood flows through vessels around the eye. This means that irritants or skin conditions may be more likely to affect your eyelid than other parts of your body.
So, what causes dry eyelids?
There are a number of causes of dry skin on the eyelids. In the winter, the main culprits of dry eyelids and under eyes are:
- The climate you live in
- Low humidity
- As mentioned above, higher levels of dry out heating
While we can’t change the weather, thankfully there are other changes we can make.
Home remedies for dry eyelids
Here are some ways you can treat dry skin on your eyelids, naturally:
Up your omegas
To minimize the drying ability of winter air, keep yourself hydrated and increase your intake of omega-3s. These are especially prevalent in items like flax seeds and flax seed oil.
Try this type of machine
You may also want to run a humidifier in your home to improve the quality of your indoor air.
Change your shower temperature
Avoid exposure to hot water by taking cooler, shorter showers and baths, and by washing your face only once a day.
Use LESS water
When you’re trying to rehydrate your skin, it may seem like a good idea to soak in lots of water. But water can actually make dry skin worse, especially if you use hot, soapy water. Too much washing can strip the protective oils from your skin, leaving it vulnerable to drying.
Keep your baths and showers short — 10 minutes or less — and use warm water rather than hot.
Change soap habits
Using too much soap or hand sanitizers too often can also cause your skin to dry out. Use soap and hand sanitizers sparingly. Choose mild, fragrance-free options that are designed to be less drying.
Moisturize with the right ingredients
Skin moisturizers are important weapons in your arsenal for fighting dry skin, and the right moisturizers can help you treat and prevent dry skin. It is important to replenish your skin with a good hydrating moisturizing eye cream, especially one that is natural and made with organic ingredients.
*If skin seems really excessively dry, consider seeing a doctor or medical professional as there are different dry skin symptoms.*
