How to Soothe Irritated Skin around the Eyes and Eyelids

During the colder months of the year, it’s common to experience, dry red skin under and around the eyes. Since the skin in this area is so thin, it’s very sensitive and often prone to dryness.

But what are the causes of dry red skin under eyes? You’d be surprised to learn exactly what conditions can trigger eye irritation, swelling, dryness, and redness.

Now, before we take a close look at the common triggers of eye irritation let’s check out some of the best solutions for this issue. Below is a comparison chart of all the best products for this year followed by a brief preview of each product. The following are products that have a reputation for not only being gentle and effective but for quickly soothing and repairing damaged skin around the eyes.

Eye Irritation Products Comparison Chart

Product	Type	Active Ingredient	Cost	Rating
Clinique Smart Custom Repair Shop On Amazon!	serum	Patented enzymes	$$	5
Natural Night Cream Shop On Amazon!	cream	Manuka honey	$$	4.5
Double Helix Water Face and Eye Cream Shop On Amazon!	cream	Rooibos tea	$$	4
Eminence Organics Coconut Moisturizer Shop On Amazon!	cream	coconut oil	$$	4
H2O Plus Sea Results Eye Mender Plus Shop On Amazon!	cream	Retinyl Palmitate	$	4

Clinique Smart Custom Repair Serum Concentre

Our Rating: (5/5)

While marketed as an anti-aging serum, this gentle formula is designed to treat reddened, irritated skin around and under the eyes. The serum contains a blend of patented enzymes, brightening botanicals, and natural collagen boosting ingredients that are designed to calm down inflamed, damaged skin. This serum contains no parabens and is also fragrance-free.

Natural Night Cream – Organic Facial Moisturizer

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This cream is designed for all skin types and works to soothe inflamed, dry skin around the eyes. The cream contains Manuka honey, a powerful moisturizing, anti-aging ingredient that has the ability to heal and treat minor and moderately damaged skin. The cream also contains shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, hemp seed oil, amino acids, aloe vera, and vitamins and minerals designed to repair and moisturize the skin. The cream is non-allergenic, fragrance-free, and features only plant-based ingredients.

Double Helix Water Face and Eye Cream

Our Rating: (4/5)

This eye cream is designed to nourish the tender skin under the eyes, but it can also be used on any area of the face and body. The cream not only contains anti-aging ingredients designed to fight the signs of aging. With consistent use, the cream is also said to speed up the healing process. It works on combination skin, dry skin, mature skin, and sensitive skin. It’s sulfate-free, paraben-free, and silicone-free.

Eminence Organics Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer

Our Rating: (4/5)

This eye cream is designed for normal and dry skin types. It helps to minimize under eye redness and irritation and protects the skin from environmental damage. It’s also a moisturizing powerhouse that’s designed to instantly boost the skin’s moisture level, providing skin that feels tighter, firmer, and softer. The cream is coconut oil based, so not only will it work to naturally heal your skin, but the skin will feel moisturized and softer, instantly.

H2O Plus Sea Results Eye Mender Plus

Our Rating: (4/5)

This cream is designed to heal and hydrate the skin around the eyes. It can also reduce redness, irritation, puffiness, and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. It contains more than seventy-three nutrients designed to hydrate the skin, instantly.

Common Causes of Dry Red Skin Under the Eyes

The thin skin on the eyelids and under the eyes is one of the most common places you’ll find eczema during a flare-up. Eczema is a type of skin condition that more commonly affects children and young adults, although people of all ages can have it. Some children will grow out of it over the years, experiencing fewer and fewer flare-ups as they get older. However, this isn’t always the case.

Aside from the face, eczema can affect different areas of the skin on a person’s body, such as the scalp, behind the knees, inside the elbows, and the hands.

The Truth About Eczema

There are different types of eczema, yet the main symptoms for each type involve sore, dry, tender, itchy skin. Fortunately, this condition is not infectious, which means it cannot be passed on to other people. However, if you have an eczema flare-up on the skin around the eyes or on the eyelids and they become so dry that it breaks open, you can be more susceptible to infection. Rubbing and scratching the eyes can introduce fungi, viruses, or bacteria.

The causes behind eczema can be complicated and they’re not the same for everyone with this condition.

Typically, the top layer of the skin helps to retain natural moisture and oils. However, with this skin condition, there are changes in the skin’s surface, so it doesn’t work as well as a barrier, making it difficult to lock in moisture. This causes the skin under and around the eyes to easily become irritated, red, and itchy. Products such as eye creams, lotions, and even hair care products can easily trigger a flare-up for some people. These irritants can further damage the skin and make it more likely that the skin will become infected and inflamed.

So, how can you treat eczema? Avoid using any type of scented products on your face, especially under and around the eyes. However, keeping these areas of the skin moisturized will be essential. Apply Vaseline, aloe vera, or other ointments or oil-based products around the area to help lock in moisture. Lotions do not penetrate deeply into the skin and don’t have much of an effect when it comes to getting an eczema flare-up under control.

Check out some of the best anti-aging creams for men by clicking here!

Blepharitis

A common condition that causes inflammation of the eyelids is called blepharitis. This condition leaves the eyelids crusty, red, sore, and inflamed. However, eyelid inflammation itself is very common. Studies have shown that inflamed eyelids are one of the most common reasons people visit optometrists each year. The same studies also showed that this condition often affects younger people more frequently.

Fortunately, an optometrist can prescribe an effective treatment that can quickly get the inflammation under control. But what exactly causes blepharitis?

The following are common causes that can trigger eyelid inflammation:

• Bacterial infections
• MGD, also known as meibomian gland dysfunction
• Fungal infections
• Parasites

Dry eyes and blepharitis often occur at the same time, which can make it confusing to determine if the blepharitis is causing the dry eyes or it’s the other way around.

However, blepharitis is often associated with an overgrowth of the bacteria found at the base of the eyelashes and along the tight margins of the eyelids. Over a period of time, the bacteria multiply and creates a biofilm structure.

When biofilm is formed it creates a type of toxic environment, much like the formation of plaque on the teeth. Demodex, a type of parasitic eyelash mite, actually feeds on the biofilm. This can result in an overgrowth of mites, which can worsen the inflammation.

In the eyelid, the biofilm can also produce exotoxins, which is a substance that can cause oil-secreting glands in the eyes to become inflamed. This results in a condition known as meibomian gland dysfunction, which worsens inflammation and causes dry eye discomfort.

Blepharitis is usually associated with other types of skin conditions including dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, and ocular rosacea. Additionally, pink eye and blepharitis usually occur at the same time.

Symptoms of Blepharitis include stinging or burning eyes, itchy eyelids, dry, red and flaky skin under the eyes, watery eyes, inflammation, and general irritation.

Depending on the severity of the condition, a person may have some or all of these symptoms. These symptoms may be constant or intermittent. In rare cases, blepharitis can cause the eyelashes to fall out. It’s also the number one cause of contact lens discomfort.

Blepharitis is also a common cause of contact lens discomfort, forcing many people to give up wearing contacts during a flare-up.

In terms of treatment, a visit to the doctor is usually required. An optometrist will evaluate the inflammation and redness, and determine the appropriate treatment based on the severity of the symptoms.

Treatment will usually include gently washing under the eyes and the eyelids in order to remove biofilm buildup and excess bacteria. Warm compresses and washing the eye two to three times a day can help to reduce the number of mites and bacteria on the lids. The optometrist may also prescribe special eyelid cleansers that are gentle on the eyes but designed to kill off harmful bacteria. Medicated topical medication or eyedrops may also be needed in order to destroy microbes or other types of bacteria on the eyelids. This is especially true if the patient also has pink eye, the patient is at risk of an eye infection, or they have another type of infection in addition to blepharitis.

Dermatitis

Another common cause of redness and irritation under and around the eyes is dermatitis. This condition causes the skin to become irritated, red, and itchy. The term can loosely refer to seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or eczema on the eyelids. When the cause is an irritant or allergen from makeup products then the condition is referred to as contact dermatitis.

Obviously, identifying and avoiding the contact irritant will be important in order to prevent flare-ups.

These irritants can include:

• Makeup
• Contact lens use
• Perfumes
• Sunscreen
• Eye drops
• Airborne allergens
• False eyelashes
• Swimming goggles

To treat this type of dermatitis you can use a moisturizer that relieves itching and dryness. There is a wide range of creams available that you can use, with or without a prescription.

Calcineurin inhibitors are a type of medication that’s commonly used to treat inflammation. It can be taken orally or applied as a cream. However, since it can suppress immune function it should be used with caution.

Corticosteroids can be applied directly to the dry, inflamed skin under the eyes and the eyelids. However, corticosteroids in tablet form are usually only reserved for severe symptoms since their side effects can be serious. Side effects can include osteoporosis, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Seasonal Allergies

Summer brings with it fresh, warm weather, plenty of sunshine, and hay fever. Also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, this condition is caused by an allergic reaction to certain types of airborne pollens such as tree or grass pollens. Aside from a runny nose and constant sneezing, hay fever can cause red, dry skin under the eyes, itchy eyes, and inflammation of the eyelids. This is caused by a release of histamine.

Over the counter antihistamines can usually help to manage the symptoms associated with hay fever. However, if over the counter medication isn’t very effective, you can also make an appointment with your physician, who can prescribe steroid eye drops.

In reality, antihistamines are usually only effective if a person begins to take them a month or two before the symptoms of hay fever begin. It can be too late to enjoy the full benefits of antihistamines if you take them once your eyelids are already swollen and you’re currently struggling with other symptoms associated with hay fever.

If you have eczema and also suffer from hay fever, then you should avoid over the counter eye drops designed to treat hay fever symptoms. These drops usually contain preservatives which can further irritate the skin around the eyes and even the skin inside the eyelids.

Redness Around Eyelids

Redness around the eyelids is often accompanied by swelling. This occurs when there is excess fluids found in the connective tissues that surround the eyes. This type of swelling can be pretty painful and can affect the lower and upper eyelids.

There are many causes of redness around the eyelids, including trauma, injuries, or infection. Allergies tend to be the most common cause.

However, this type of swelling can also be indicative of a more serious condition, one that’s potentially sight threatening. This can include Graves’ disease and orbital cellulitis.

Making an appointment with your optometrist is important, especially if your symptoms worsen or persist for more than a week.

If your eyelids are red and swollen, you may also experience obstructed vision, photophobia, excess tear production, and itchiness. There may also be eye discharge present, eyelid dryness, flaky skin, and pain.

Causes of Swelling

There are a number of causes that can lead to swollen, puffy looking eyes. This can range from mild to severe conditions that can threaten the ability to see.

Pink Eye

Conjunctivitis, also referred to as pink eye, involves the inflammation of the lining of the surface of the eye. This clear lining is called the conjunctiva. Viral, bacterial, and allergic types of conjunctivitis often result in the swelling of the eyelids. Other symptoms can include redness of the eyelids, severe itching, and watery discharge.

Styes

The stye usually presents as a reddish bump located on the edge of an eyelid. A stye is typically caused by the inflammation of a meibomian gland or bacterial infection. Once these glands become blocked, eyelid swelling is a common symptom. Styes are tender to touch and can cause the whole eyelid to swell.

Chalazion

Another type of growth on the eye is the chalazion. This growth is similar to a stye but it turns into a hard sebaceous cyst. Additionally, the stye develops on the edge of the eyelid while the chalazion develops away from the edge. Both the chalazion and the stye can cause tenderness to the affected area and swollen eyelids.

Injury

Any injury to the eye can cause severe swelling. Any trauma to the eye can also trigger major inflammation.

Crying

Produced in the lacrimal glands by the eye, the watery component of tears is essential for healthy eyes and works to keep the eyes lubricated, protected, and clean.

Did you know there are actually three different types of tears?

Emotional tears are produced as a response to a strong emotion, while reflex tears help to protect the eyes once they’re exposed to irritants in the air. Basal tears are what provides the eyes with a constant film that keeps the eyes moist.

Contact Lenses

If you fail to keep up on your contact lenses care and often wear dirty lenses or even go swimming while leaving them in, this can easily result in an eye injection and redness around the eyelids. Storing your contacts in a dirty lens case, not changing the contact solution daily, and wearing damaged contact lenses can also cause swelling and redness.

Periorbital Cellulitis

This is a common infection that affects portions of the skin around the eye and the eyelid itself. This type of infection can be caused by pathogens, viruses, or bacteria. With this condition, the affected area involves the anterior to the orbital septum, which consists of a sheet-like tissue which forms the back of the eyelids. The back of the eyelids is very fibrous and tough.

Orbital Cellulitis

This serious, but rare bacterial infection affects the tissues surrounding the eyes and it results in severe swelling of the lower and upper eyelids. In extreme cases, swelling can travel to the cheek and eyebrow. Other symptoms include pain when moving the eyes, fever, changes in vision and bulging eyes.

This condition requires emergency treatment that involves antibiotics that are administered via an IV. Fast action will help to prevent permanent loss of vision, nerve damage, and other types of serious complications.

Learn how to get rid of wrinkles around your eyes from smiling on our full Guide on the topic.

How to Treat Eye Swelling

Swollen eyelid treatment will depend on the root cause. Your physician may recommend an over the counter medication such as artificial tears, or they may prescribe medication.

If your eyes are swollen due to hay fever or another type of allergy, oral allergy medication may be prescribed in addition to artificial tears, both of which can help to relieve symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend steroid drops for severe allergic reactions.

Other causes of eyelid swelling, such as pink eye, tend to respond well to anti-inflammatory or anti-viral ointments or eyedrops.

Minor cases of swelling can be resolved using home remedies.

If you are suffering from photophobia that’s associated with inflammation of the eyelids, then photochromic lenses may help to minimize light sensitivity. If you currently wear contact lenses, you will need to stop wearing them until the swelling has been resolved.

How to Avoid Eyelid Swelling

If you occasionally experience eyelid swelling, make sure you get tested for allergies. By knowing what you’re allergic to you can then avoid the allergens that trigger inflammation.

Only wear hypoallergenic makeup and skincare products that are fragrance-free. This will help to prevent allergic flare-ups.

When you use eye drops, make sure they’re preservative free. In regular eye drops, while the preservatives can help to prevent bacterial growth, some people can experience an allergic reaction to these preservatives, which will worsen the swelling and irritation.

Practicing proper hygiene if you wear contact lenses can minimize your risk of an eye infection. This can include changing out the contact lens solution daily and replacing the contact lens case and lenses more frequently.

Preventing Eye Irritation and Flare-Ups

Prevention will be your best step toward fighting dry inflamed eyes during the summer. You can use Vaseline and apply it around the eyes in order to prevent pollen from entering the eyes and causing a flare-up. It’s also a good idea to change your clothing and wash your hair if you’ve spent time outdoors during hay fever season.

Other ways you can prevent dry, irritated eyes include using only hypoallergenic makeup. You should also avoid sharing your makeup and throw out old eyeliners and mascara every few months, especially if you’ve recently been treated for a fungal or bacterial eye infection.

Avoid rubbing or scratching the skin under the eyes as well as the eyelids. This is an easy way to cause irritation and it can also lead to a bacterial or fungal infection if you end up breaking the skin.

Is Dry Skin Under Eyes Causing Wrinkles?

Wrinkles are part of growing older, but by maintaining moisture under the eyes and taking important precautions, you can reduce your chances of prematurely aging skin, so you can look years younger. Fortunately, there are many treatments that are designed to nourish and replenish dry skin, not to mention several medical procedures that can help to minimize the appearance of wrinkles.

As we grow older, the skin becomes thinner and struggles to retain moisture and elasticity. This results in creases and fine lines. Aging will result in the loss of oils and moisture, which is essential for younger looking skin. Water and moisture are what keep the skin cells plump and full. The oil traps the moisture inside the cell, ensuring smooth skin under the eyes.

Washing your face one to two times daily using a moisturizing soap that’s unscented and designed to remove makeup, dirt, and oil can help. Regularly moisturizing and using antioxidants such as green tea, soy, and vitamins E and C can restore and protect the skin from pollution and UV rays.

Fighting Dry Skin

In order to fight dry red inflamed skin under the eyes, it’s very important to recognize the early signs and symptoms. What may seem like mild irritation at first can quickly get out of control without fast, effective treatment.

Dehydrated skin under the eyes can quickly lead to eye irritation. Hydrated, normal skin has pump cells. When the skin under the eyes is dehydrated the skin becomes very brittle and the skin cells tend to shrivel up creating wrinkles and fine lines. Who knew that some under eye wrinkles and fine lines were due to dehydration? It’s true that many men and women are guilty of not drinking their daily recommended amount of water. Or, if they do, they also drink caffeine loaded energy drinks or coffee, which can quickly dehydrate the skin if the drinker doesn’t compensate with more water than usual.

More often, dry skin under the eye usually has an environmental cause. The skin is often the driest during the winter when the humidity levels and temperatures plummet. Additionally, the hot water used from baths or showers can dry the skin out even further. Harsh soaps and perfumed lotions can also contribute to dry skin, as can rubbing the sensitive skin under the eyes.

Did you know that high levels of stress can trigger an eczema flare-up as well, causing red blotches of skin under the eyes before the skin takes on a somewhat scaly texture? Fortunately, in many cases, with the right treatments and steps towards preventing eye irritation, you can often avoid painful, uncomfortable inflamed skin around the eyes.

Corticosteroid Cream for Eyes

Low-dose corticosteroid creams are specifically prescribed for the eyes because they’re gentle on the skin and have fewer side effects. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that all steroids have potential side effects, especially when they’re used around the delicate eye area. Steroids should never be put directly into the eye. Often, topical steroids are used as an anti-inflammatory solution for certain skin conditions such as eczema that produces inflamed, dry, itchy patches of skin. When the skin reacts to this type of irritation, the skin cells produce inflammatory chemicals that cause a rash to develop. These creams are absorbed into the skin and prevent the reaction from occurring. Corticosteroid cream isn’t used to cure any type of underlying condition, but they do work to relieve symptoms.

Steroids are categorized based on potency level, ranging from high to low potency. A dermatologist will usually try the lowest dosage first. Higher dosages are only used for a short period of time in order to minimize the possibility of side effects. Higher dosages are often used to get the inflammation under control, then, they’re replaced with a lower dosage, which will work to control the symptoms.

What are the Common Side Effects of Steroid Use?

Even lower strength steroids can cause thinning skin at the application site. But did you know they can also cause permanent stretch marks? Steroid use can also temporarily lighten the skin at the application site or may even cause enlarged blood vessels. Depending on the underlying cause of the skin irritation, steroid use can also cause the condition to worsen. Around the eyes, steroid cream can cause cataracts or glaucoma.

For those of you who don’t want to use steroid cream because of the harmful side effects, you can use mild cleansers or soaps, use a humidifier, avoid scratching, moisturize the skin, and use cold compresses throughout the day. Other alternative treatments can include applying chamomile or witch hazel or taking an antihistamine.

Skincare experts have confirmed that using low-dose steroids are safe for temporary use only. However, if you’re nursing or pregnant, the cream should only be used if directed by your physician. Children are more prone to the possible side effects. The cream shouldn’t be applied to skin that’s infected or to areas with open sores or acne.

Choosing the Best Products to Treat Irritated Eyes

When the skin around the eyes is irritated, using the wrong product can make matters worse, resulting in a longer healing time. Eye irritation is uncomfortable as it is, so you’ll want to avoid putting yourself in a situation in which you’re forced to correct the damage caused by using the wrong cream, in addition to treating the original irritation.

Since in some cases almost everything can irritate and inflame the eyes further, it can be best just to leave the eyes alone. However, in other situations, treatment is a must and a way to provide immediate relief to sore, tender, irritated eyes.

The skin around the eyes often becomes dry, so failing to treat the dryness can also be uncomfortable. A little bit of moisture can go a long way.

Assuming you have minor irritation, which means no serious infection, it’s okay to apply something around the eyes as long as it does sting or increase swelling and redness. If you try a product and it does cause some irritation, discontinue using it.

A doctor may suggest trying an over the counter ointment such as Vaseline or Aquaphor. Both products are designed to protect the skin and are thick ointments that prevent moisture loss and effectively nourish the skin using a gentle formula that’s preservative and scent-free.

When the skin is irritated, this type of thick occlusive treatment is a great barrier for wound healing.

If these products don’t work, there are other options that may be more effective in calming down your inflamed skin.

The Challenges of Sensitive Skin

If you’ve had sensitive skin your whole life, then you know how challenging it can be to find a product that’s both gentle and effective.

But even if you don’t have sensitive skin, choosing the right product can still be difficult. How can you know how your skin will respond to treatment?

The best products to use on irritated eyes are often the simplest ones, usually in the form of basic eye creams and moisturizers. Keep in mind that the texture of the product also matters.

When shopping for an eye cream or moisturizer, avoid lotions and gels. Instead, look for a thick cream that has a solid texture. Basically, you don’t want a cream that will run.

You also don’t want something that will quickly seep into the skin or easily spread. A thicker cream takes time to absorb and will usually sit on top of the skin.

What you really need is an occlusive layer of cream that will minimize moisture loss but will also work by nourishing the skin and providing some lubricating relief.

Use Gentle Eye Care Products Only

Choose the most basic cream you can find. The simpler the formula, the better.

You should also avoid using any type of anti-aging eye cream ointment or lotion to treat under eye irritation. These formulas can be very drying to the skin and will most likely increase skin irritation. You’ll definitely want to steer clear of any products that contain vitamin C, all acids, peptides, and any products that contain retinol.

You should always avoid using toners around the eyes. These products tend to penetrate through the skin too quickly and will make skin irritation worse. If you immediately feel burning, stinging, or itching, discontinue use. There is a variety of calming, soothing creams you can use that are specifically designed for the sensitive areas under and around the eyes.

Healing Time

In terms of treatment, you may be wondering how long does it take before you notice any improvements or find relief. This will ultimately depend on the underlying cause of the irritation and the treatment you use.

It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to heal the skin under the eyes. Pay close attention to how your skin responds to treatment and monitor any changes, especially if it looks like the skin is getting worse.

As the skin heals, you may start to feel a tightening in the area increased itchiness and red blotches under the eyes, which shows improved circulation.

The healing time will be different for everyone and can depend on the underlying cause of the irritation, skin type, and treatment.

If your skin fails to respond to treatment after three or four days or seems to worsen, then it may be time to make an appointment with your optometrist.

Do Home Remedies Work?

If you look online, you’ll find no shortage of home remedies that are designed to treat anything from rashes around the eyes, red blotches under the eyes, to swelling and eye redness. But how do you know these treatments are gentle and safe and won’t cause further irritation?

If you’ve been experiencing eye irritation longer than a few days and haven’t seen any positive results with over the counter products, or if the condition worsens, make an appointment with your doctor to rule out a possible bacterial or fungal infection. If the condition is minor, then you’ll find a wide variety of home remedies to choose from that can effectively minimize redness and irritation in a matter of hours.

We’ve scoured the internet searching for natural, gentle ways to tackle ongoing eye irritation and found some great options that can provide soothing relief, instantly.

Of course, just like with prescribed and over the counter medications and treatments, these home remedies will only work with consistent treatment.

How to Get Rid of Red Irritated Skin Around the Eyes with Home Remedies

Skin irritation can be dealt with in a number of ways, depending on the root cause. Wearing moisturizer, medicated eye creams, products that are fragrance-free and designed to soothe the eyes can also help. There are also a number of home remedies you can try that can help to prevent or treat eye irritation. However, if you’ve never experienced eye irritation like this before it may be a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor in order to rule out a fungal or bacterial infection.

The right home remedy can help to cure inflamed and dry skin around the eyes, or even the eyelids, with varying levels of success. Cases in which eczema, dry weather, or contact dermatitis are the culprits can easily be treated with the right home remedy. Bacterial or fungal infections should be assessed by a physician.

In terms of gentle treatment, there are many home remedies to choose from.

You can use sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, virgin coconut oil and avocado oil to treat dry and inflamed skin. These oils will work by providing a type of protective layer over the skin that will prevent dry skin flare-ups while locking in moisture. You’ll only need to use a few drops of oil in order to keep the skin around the eyes elastic, hydrated, and soft.

Certain essential oils can also work to eliminate irritated skin around the eyes. To treat irritation with essential oils, use two drops of castor oil or coconut oil, and two drops of lavender oil. Mix the oils well and apply to the skin using your fingertips. Gently massage the oil into the skin and leave on for two hours. Repeat treatment two times daily.

Both coconut oil and castor oil can help to minimize swelling and inflammation. The lavender oil will improve circulation and soothe irritation. These oils will also help to hydrate the skin instantly.

Get tips on how to get rid of blepharitis on our article on the topic.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Use one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and mix with two teaspoons of water. Apply to the affected areas with a cotton ball. Apple cider vinegar is known to reduce irritation and inflammation. It works as a mild astringent when it’s applied topically, and also helps to regulate the skin’s pH level. If an infection has caused the irritation, then you’ll be happy to learn that apple cider vinegar is also an antimicrobial agent.

Aloe Vera

Use one teaspoon of fresh aloe vera gel and two teaspoons of cold water. Mix well and use a cotton ball to apply to the affected areas. Gently rub the cotton ball over the area for five minutes. Treatment can be repeated three times daily until the skin issue is resolved. Aloe vera will work to reduce inflammation and minimize redness.

Cucumber

Slice up a cucumber and place one slice over each eye. If the eyelids are irritated you’ll feel immediate relief and a type of cooling sensation. Discard the slices once they have become warm and place two cold, fresh slices over the eyes. Do this for fifteen minutes, twice daily.

Cucumbers are often used to reduce bags under the eyes, but they’re also very cooling and soothing, which makes them the perfect remedy if you’re struggling to find relief for mild to moderate eye irritation.

Chamomile

Use one teaspoon of dried chamomile and one cup of hot water. Add the chamomile to the water, steeping for five minutes. Allow the solution to cool, then soak a cotton ball in it and place under the eyes. Leave it on for six minutes. You can repeat treatment twice daily.

When it comes to treating any type of inflammation or redness, you’ll find that chamomile is quite useful. It’s also safe to use on the eyes and around the eyes and can be used to wash the eyes as well. It contains healing and anti-inflammatory compounds, in addition to antioxidants.

Compresses

Wrap an ice pack in a cool cloth and apply to both eyes using minimal pressure. Hold in place for five minutes. You can repeat this treatment once every few hours for severe irritation. The ice works to reduce irritation, swelling, and redness.

Witch Hazel

You can also use soothing witch hazel to treat under eye inflammation and irritation. Grab a cotton ball and dip it into all-natural witch hazel, gently rubbing around the eyes. Repeat treatment twice daily.  Witch hazel contains anti-inflammatory and astringent properties that will help to reduce swelling.

Rose Water

Dip a cotton ball in rose water and apply around the affected areas. For more soothing power, place the rose water in the fridge for one to two hours before applying. This treatment can be repeated three times a day. Rose water can soothe irritation on the eyelids and the sensitive skin under the eyes. This toner can heal mild to moderate irritation, rashes, and can even minimize the appearance of scars.

Potato Slices

Slice up a raw potato, placing a slice over each eye for fifteen minutes. You can also grate up a raw potato and create a poultice. This treatment should be repeated twice a day. The astringent properties in the potato work to reduce any burning sensation, pain, or inflammation. It also contains mild bleaching properties and can reduce dark circles under the eyes.

Saline Solution

You can use homemade or over the counter saline drops for immediate relief. The drops should be used one to two times daily. Artificial tears or saline solution works to clean out the eyes and can also be a great eye remedy when you’re experiencing eye irritation due to an infection. This solution will wash away foreign objects trapped in the eye, as well as pathogens and all sorts of impurities.

Humidifier

If you’re experiencing eye irritation due to eczema, a humidifier can be a true lifesaver. In cold weather situations, an eczema flare-up is pretty common. You can easily prevent dry skin and irritation using a humidifier while you sleep. The humidifier will work by keeping moisture in the air and can help to keep the skin hydrated. With severe flare-ups, the humidifier can also help to relieve intense dryness and itching.

Preventing Irritation

Aside from these effective home remedies, it’s also important to follow a basic hygiene routine that will keep both the eyes and the skin around the eyes free from irritation.

• As we mentioned, one of the best things you can do to avoid eye irritation, rashes, redness, and inflammation, is to maintain proper hygiene.
• Throw away old makeup products including eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliners, and eyeshadow primers every six months.
• If you wear contact lenses make sure they’re cleaned thoroughly, daily. The solution should also be changed daily.
• Before going to sleep, apply moisturizer around the eyes, gently, using your ring finger.
• Before you try new skincare or makeup products, make sure you do a patch test, prior to applying the makeup on or around the eyes. This will tell you whether or not a product is compatible with your skin.
• Avoid places that will cause your hay fever to flare up, such as parks, gardens, and pools.
• If you’re not sure what is causing the eye irritation, avoid touching your eyes at all costs. If you have to touch your eyes, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after.
• If you have any type of drainage from the eyes, or there is a severe rash surrounding the eyes, meet with your doctor for proper treatment
• Never self-treat an eye infection. If you have a fungal infection steroid creams and other topical creams will make the infection worse.