How to Improve Dry Skin Under the Eyes

Your eyes are the windows to your soul, so don't let dry under-eye skin pull focus away from them. Dry skin that occurs under the eyes occurs frequently because the area of skin is naturally thinner and contains no oil glands. Under-eye dryness can also be caused by harsh facial creams or even drying makeup products such as concealer. No matter the cause, a few intensive moisturizing treatments are all it takes to get rid of the flakes.

Purchase a bottle of eye cream that contains one or more of the following ingredients: ceramides, vitamin B3 or shea butter. Look for a cream that has a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 to protect against ultraviolet rays. The cream should also be unscented, as scent could irritate the sensitive skin in this area.

Wash your face using a mild cleanser, massaging your skin gently for 30 to 60 seconds. Rinse your face with warm, not hot, water and pat it dry gently.

Apply a pea-sized amount of eye cream to your palm.

Rub the cream vigorously with your fingers for five seconds to warm it up. This makes it more comfortable to apply and activates the key ingredients.

Dab the cream gently onto the skin under your eyes using only the tip of your ring finger. Follow the round orbital bone at the base of the eye socket as you apply the cream. Following this bone prevents the cream from getting in your eyes, which can cause stinging and redness. Reapply the eye cream again at night before bed.

Dab a pea-sized amount of a natural oil -- such as grape seed or vitamin E -- over the under-eye area at night after you have allowed the eye cream to dry. Both oils can be purchased at health food stores, and vitamin E capsules are available at any store that sells vitamins. Grape seed oil also helps to reduce wrinkles, as well as moisturize.

Tips

If you notice the under-eye skin drying out during the day, reapply the cream mid-afternoon to alleviate the dryness.

Warnings

Avoid applying cream to the eyelid area, which typically doesn’t dry out. Applying cream to the eyelids can also interfere with makeup application.

Don’t apply more than a pea-sized amount of cream to the eye area, as too much of it can actually cause irritation.

Don't use body moisturizers around the eye area, as they contain fragrances and other ingredients that are too harsh for the thin skin near the eye.