Dry, Flaky Skin Around Eyes

Medical Conditions
Cosmetic Effects
Treating the Issue

Written by Nicole Adams

18 December, 2018

Fact Checked

To keep looking young and fresh, you want the area around your eyes to be supple and flake-free. Normal hydrated skin has plump cells, but when the skin becomes dry, those cells shrivel, creating fine lines and wrinkles.

The dry skin can flake and itch, become red and irritated, and it could feel rough and raw, causing the skin around your eyes to swell and become sore. In some instances, your skin may show scales. It could be a medical condition that's causing the dry, flaky skin around your eyes or it might be a victim of your skincare routine.

Dry, flaky skin around your eyes can be quite bothersome. If your skin has not cleared up from simple treatments, contact your doctor, as you may have an underlying condition that requires different or additional treatment. Your eyes are important, and the surrounding skin area is delicate.

Medical Conditions

Facial psoriasis can occur around your eyes, most often in the eyebrows. It causes your skin to dry and flake, and scales may cover your lashes, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation 2.

Seborrheic dermatitis, also known as eczema, also occurs on the face and around the eyes. Eczema causes a red, scaly, itchy rash, typically due to oily skin. When it makes your skin flake, it also causes it to dry out. Eczema can occur anywhere on the body and causes severe dry patches that can get very itchy, red and inflamed.

Blepharitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the eyelids, due to malfunctioning oil glands. This condition causes red, itchy and flaky eyelids.

Facial psoriasis can occur around your eyes, most often in the eyebrows.
Eczema can occur anywhere on the body and causes severe dry patches that can get very itchy, red and inflamed.

Cosmetic Effects

What Is the Difference Between Cellulitis & Mrsa?

Learn More

Contact dermatitis is a common ailment resulting from an allergic reaction to certain irritants touching your skin. This can occur from eye make-up or skin foundation.

Your eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow or the tools used for applying them may have accumulated bacteria over time. This will irritate your skin, dry it out and perhaps cause it to flake. Facial cleansers or lotions, eye make-up remover or even the towel you use to dry your face can irritate your skin and dry out the skin around your eyes.

Contact dermatitis is a common ailment resulting from an allergic reaction to certain irritants touching your skin.
Your eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow or the tools used for applying them may have accumulated bacteria over time.

Treating the Issue

Facial psoriasis can be treated with topical antibiotics, but in some cases, a steroid medication made specifically for the sensitive eye area may be needed. Eczema is treated with over-the-counter lotions and moisturizers, but may need to be treated with topical or oral steroids, according to the National Eczema Foundation 2.

Creams, gels and lotions containing anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal and antihistamine medicines are also used to treat eczema. Blepharitis can be treated with antibiotics and steroid ointments. Creams and lotions specific to the eye area are also available to help keep the sensitive skin moisturized.

Read more: How to Get Rid of Dry Skin Patches

Facial psoriasis can be treated with topical antibiotics, but in some cases, a steroid medication made specifically for the sensitive eye area may be needed.