Help! REALLY dry skin under eyes. What can I do?

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

I bought some Nivea 3 in 1 Exfolitating Facial Wipes last week, and since using them I've noticed the skin under my eyes is REALLY DRY. I've obviously ditched the wipes (I might keep them for cleaning the oven), but even so my skin still stings when I cleanse, and I've got dry-skin wrinkles under each eye. It's like elephant skin.

What can I use to fix it? I've been using Bio Oil, Nivea moisturiser, almond oil, Vaseline... Any other suggestions? Cheap if possible. Thank you xxx

[catellington]

I've got really bad dry skin ATM, under eyes and on eye lids where I actually have flakes, and flaky patches on neck. I have no idea why, maybe pg hormones or maybe the weather but it's been like this for a couple of weeks. I've been putting coconut oil on for the last two days and it has improved, the flakes on neck gone so just left red patches. Still working on eyes but they are definitely better already.

[butterfliesinmytummy]

Drink loads (winter is super dehydrating) and have your iron levels checked, I had this when I was very anemic.

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

Oh no, you too! You poor thing (but congrats on the pg ). I'll try coconut oil. Does your skin sting when you put anything in it? Mine does, it's awful.

[catellington]

Yes, I even gave up putting anything on it at all for a couple of days because I couldn't tolerate it, no water, cleanser, nothing.

Found coconut oil whilst getting stuff out ready for new baby and thought it worth a shot. Not sore, and think it's working. Although I do smell a bit coconutty at night

[ElizabethHoover]

Sounds like an allergy to me

[Tinymrscollings]

I get this in the winter and when I'm under stress. I use hydrocortisone 1% cream (from the chemist). I don't think it's especially recommended for the eye area so you might need to tell a tiny white lie about where you'll be applying it. Use it sparingly but it works a treat for me.

[Tinymrscollings]

Where on your body, I mean. Not where geographically.

[DurhamDurham]

I read somewhere that facial wipes are the worst things to use on your face ( well not literally the worst, I can think of worse things to slather on my face ) as they leave behind lots of chemicals.

I've got greasy skin, never get dry patches but my oldest daughter does and she puts coconut oil on the patches and within a day or two they are gone. Coconut oil is quite cheap on Amazon at the moment.

[Santasgrotto]

sounds like a touch of eczema. maybe see dr or try something from Eucerin range to help?

[MillyMollyMandy78]

It sounds like it could be blepharitis. I started getting it early this year and my symptoms were exactly the same as yours. Coconut oil does help, but it is a bacterial infection and therefore it will clear up better if you get antibiotic eye ointment from the pharmacy. Dont get drops - you can smear the ointment all round your eye area, as though it was a regular eye cream too. My symptoms were just as bad as yours sound but cleared up after 3 days using the ointment.

If it is blepharitis, you will be prone to breakouts now for the rest of your life. Therefore it is important to clean the area thoroughly. Nhs recommends using watered down baby shampoo twice daily for this purpose and applying warm compresses to the area (google for clearer explanation). Never, ever leave makeup on overnight and avoid touching the eye area when possible. I had a second breakout a few weeks ago, but i am more aware now of how to fix it. Hope that helps

[maybemyrtle]

Assuming it's purely cosmetic and not an infection, Dr Hauschka eye balm (in the pot) is amazing stuff. Don't know how or why but it works miracles on dry skin and undereyes especially. Have tried to find a cheaper alternative but nothing else works quite as well.

[uggmum]

I swear by Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. It's fab. (Not cheap but it is a miracle cream)

I would apply it every night before you go to bed and it should really help.

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

Thank you everyone! I don't know if it's an infection or not - it's not red and scaly, just dry. I think it's getting a bit better. I just hate the new wrinkles it's given me! Combined with general post-xmas puffiness and fat, I feel hideous!

I'll keep slapping stuff on (I'd love 8 Hour Cream but am skint after xmas), and if it's not better by tomorrow, I'll get some of that 1% cream from Boots.

Thank you all so, so much.

[Santasgrotto]

You can't buy steroid 1% for use on face- only 0.5% on prescription. A decent pharmacist will ask to see the red itchy patch so might be hard to lie!

Also- 1% even used for a few days can line your skin- I've experienced that on eyelids.

Def have a look at the Eucerin range which was developed for eczema.

[PuppyMonkey]

I get this too if I try a new product and it doesn't agree with me. E45 is good for calming it until your skin recovers

[MillyMollyMandy78]

Mine was scaly and bit red too, so sounds like it might not be an infection after all. Removing make up with dilute baby shampoo should still help though, along with a good moisturiser

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

Thank you all so much again. It's still dry - I'm using oil and the least fussy moisturisers I have. I just hate looking (even) older than I am! Hopefully it'll be better very soon.

[Klimtomaniac]

I get dry skin under my eyes and on eyelids sometimes after wearing eyeshadow or using something too harsh to cleanse with. I think the advice of not putting anything else on the area is good, until the initial irritation goes down. If things are stinging, don't use them at all.
I find that sometimes using a facecloth helps - wrung out in hot water, gently wipe over the eye area. It seems to exfoliate the flakes off in a really gentle way.
Still trying to find a good moisturiser that doesn't sting though....

[Chatlotte90]

So I had this 4 years ago and then my skin attempted to do it again after having my first child. I was advised by a dermatologist to go to the bodyshop and I used this www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/face/moisturisers/vitamin-e-day-lotion-spf30/p/p001065 careful not to get it in your eye as it is a stingy one. Also I used their camomile face wash which comes in a tin, from using these my skin healed totally within I think 2 - 2.5 weeks. Hope this helps!

[ShagMeRiggins]

@Chatlotte90

So I had this 4 years ago and then my skin attempted to do it again after having my first child. I was advised by a dermatologist to go to the bodyshop and I used this www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/face/moisturisers/vitamin-e-day-lotion-spf30/p/p001065 careful not to get it in your eye as it is a stingy one. Also I used their camomile face wash which comes in a tin, from using these my skin healed totally within I think 2 - 2.5 weeks. Hope this helps!

Check date of the original post @Chatlotte90. If her under eye skin isn’t sorted by now, it never will be.

[ShagMeRiggins]

Ps—it was v sweet of you to try and help.