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Back in college, I woke up one winter morning with dry eyelids for the first time.
Reinhard Krull / EyeEm
The flaking made all myeye makeuplook cracked and messy, so I stopped wearing it.
Eventually, I developed tiny, bleeding cracks in my eyelid creases, which were sensitive and painful.
My eyes stung all the time; the skin was raw from trying to gently exfoliate.
What causes dry, flaking lids?
Everyone gets dry skin from time to time.
Dry, flaky eyelids can be a symptom of many systemichealth conditions, Dr. Kassouf says, includingthyroid disordersandpsoriasis.
These are rare but serious.
They may want to conduct somepatch testingto see if you have an undiagnosed allergy, Dr. Kassouf says.
First, simplify your skin-care and makeup routines.
Its also important to streamline your eye-makeup routine.
All of these contain ingredients with potential irritants or allergens.
Swap eye creams for simple ointments for the time being.
Some eye creams have strong active ingredients such as retinol in them, Dr. Kassouf says.
Additionally, Dr. Zeichner recommends trying an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone ointment twice daily for a week.
If its not helping, check in with a doctor or dermatologist.
When it comes to rashes, sometimes the simplest treatments are the best, he says.
Once your eyes are feeling better, be cautious about the products you use in that area.
Focus instead on using hydrating, calming, and moisturizing ingredients around your eyes.
Try Neutrogena Hydroboost Eye Gel-Cream ($24,Ulta) or Aquaphor, which dermatologistsrecommended to SELF previously.
you could also check out the ultra-hydrating (andSELF Healthy Beauty Award-winning!)
Clinique Moisture Surge Eye 96-Hour Hydro Filler Concentrate ($34,Ulta).
Better to rebuy than risk a flake outbreak (or other form of irritation).
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