Both men and women should wash their faces each morning and evening. This will remove daily dirt, grime, pollen, oil, and makeup. While you must wash your full face, you should use a designated cleanser or scrub for your eyelids, eyelashes, and the area surrounding your eyes.
Below are the best eyelid cleansers and scrubs, what they are, and how to use them.
Why Can’t I Just Use My Face Wash on My Eyes?
Bar soap should never be used on your face, as it can dry, damage, and prematurely age your skin. But even a gentle facial cleanser can irritate the eyes.
The skin around your eyes is up to 10 times thinner than the skin on your face. This means the topical products you use easily penetrate your skin, increasing the risk of irritation and sensitivity. This is why those who wear eye makeup often use a designated eye makeup remover.
Even if you don’t wear makeup, you should use eyecare products when cleansing your eyelids.
What are Eyelid Cleansers and Scrubs?
Although some products refer to themselves as “scrubs” there is nothing abrasive about lid scrubs. In fact, quite the contrary.
Even products labeled “extra strength” are up to 16 times milder than baby shampoo. This means that even if they do get in your eyes, they won’t add to the irritation. In fact, they are designed to minimize multiple types of irritation.
Why Use Eyelid Products?
In addition to the fact that they are ultra-gentle, they are specially formulated to:
- Clean
- Sanitize
- Moisturize
- Soothe irritation
- Soothe contact lens irritation
- Minimize bacterial growth
- Remove and heal peeling skin
- Treat targeted conditions
If you struggle with dry eyes, the ingredients in your current facial cleanser may be the culprit. This is because your current product may be penetrating your skin and finding its way into your eyelid glands (meibomian glands).
Some formulas are specially designed to address eye conditions such as:
- Demodex mites
- Blepharitis
- Dermatitis
- Allergies
- Red eye
- Cysts
- Styes
- Irritation
What Are the Best Eyelid Cleansers and Scrubs?
Select your products by your current and ongoing needs. If you are experiencing dry eyes, eye irritation, or eyelid irritation—schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist. If severe, seek medical attention ASAP.
Here are some of your top product options.
#1 Organic and Unrefined Coconut or Olive Oil
If you require a gentle eye makeup remover that will quickly and easily dissolve long-wear makeup—you may already have what you need in your pantry. Simply add organic, unrefined, and pure (aka—not an infused oil) to a cotton round and place it on your eyelid for about 15 seconds. Then gently wipe your makeup away.
To cleanse your eyelids and lashes, follow up with the products below.
#2 OcuSOFT® Cleansers
OcuSOFT® has a line of condition-specific products that are the top choice for most ophthalmologists. Their products come in either premoistened pads or foam that you can apply to a cotton round. Just be sure to use one pad or round per eye. This will minimize the spread of bacteria.
If you struggle with allergies, their allergy formula will minimize redness, itching, and irritation. It will also cleanse the pollen and allergens on and around your eyelids.
If you are struggling with blepharitis, they have a HypoClor formula that you can apply to a cotton round or spray on to soothe your symptoms and create a protective barrier.
OcuSOFT® also has a formula that treats and soothes the side effects of Demodex mites, and can be used on your lash, lids, brow, and face.
Signs you may have Demodex mites include:
- Redness
- Increased skin sensitivity
- Burning sensation
- Skin that feels rough like sandpaper
- Eczema
Demodex mites can infect your entire face. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, go to a dermatologist and ophthalmologist as symptoms could be a sign of multiple medical conditions.
#3 Avenova® Antimicrobial Lid and Lash Solution
Avenova®’s eyelid cleanser is another top choice of ophthalmologists. Their multi-purpose formula kills bacteria and treats everything from styes to dry eye, blepharitis, cysts (chalazion), and contact lens irritation.
Like OcuSOFT®’s HypoClor formula, Avenova® is formulated with hypochlorous acid. This is a naturally occurring substance created by our white blood cells that creates our skin’s first line of defense. If you are experiencing a chronic eye condition, products with 0.01% or 0.02% hypochlorous acid can help rebuild your eyelid’s protective barrier.
Avenova®’s solution can be applied to cotton rounds, or you can close your eyes and spray it directly on your eyelids.
Looking For An Ophthalmologist in Collinsville, Oklahoma?
Did you know that you should have your eyes examined every 1 to 3 years? This will help to diagnose and address eye conditions as early as possible. If you live in the area and are looking for an eye doctor—we invite you to schedule an appointment with Collinsville Primary Eyecare. We provide comprehensive eye exams, contact lens eye examination, disease diagnosis and treatment, and corrective eye surgery.