What Is the Best Eye Cream for Eczema on Eyelids?

Eczema can appear anywhere on the body, including the eyelids. Several types of eczema can cause itchy, inflamed skin around the eyes, including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis.

Because the skin on the eyelids is thinner and more sensitive, it’s important to choose a gentle and hydrating cream or ointment that won’t further irritate or thin out the skin. 

Read on to learn more about what causes eyelid eczema and what to look out for when searching for the right cream or ointment to relieve your symptoms. 

What Causes Eczema on Eyelids?

There are several types of eczema that can cause symptoms to appear around the eyes.

People with atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, can develop eczema on their eyelids. 

Contact dermatitis is another possible cause of eyelid eczema. Symptoms caused by contact dermatitis are usually divided into two categories:

• ‍Irritant contact dermatitis: When the skin comes in contact with an irritant, like make-up, facial cleanser or detergent. Irritants can also come from the physical environment. Research suggests that irritants are responsible for roughly 80% of all contact dermatitis cases. Other examples of irritants include:
  • Extreme heat or cold weather.
  • Extreme humidity.
  • Dust.
  • Scratchy fabrics.
  • Chlorine or other chemicals.
• ‍Allergic contact dermatitis: When the skin comes in contact with an allergen and the immune system reacts against the allergen. This can be an allergen in a cosmetic product, medication or from the environment. Allergens will vary from person-to-person, depending on your individual triggers. Some allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Examples of possible allergens include:
  • Topical antibiotics.
  • Sunblock.
  • False eyelashes.
  • Eye drops.
  • Glasses frames.
  • Pollen.

Seborrheic dermatitis, a type of eczema that affects oily areas of the body, including the face, nose, eyebrows and scalp, can also cause eyelid eczema. Seborrheic dermatitis on the eyelids usually cause symptoms more often in adults than young children.

Choosing the Right Eye Cream for Eczema

The skin around the eyes is particularly thin and sensitive, which is why choosing the right eye cream for your eczema is important. Products with fragrances or harsh chemicals may exacerbate symptoms.  

Examples of additional ingredients to avoid include:

• Essential oils: Because essential oils are made with natural fragrances, many people assume they’re less likely to irritate the skin. But many people with sensitive skin react to these natural substances. If you have eczema, avoiding all types of fragrances is best.‍
• Lanolin: Lanolin is a rich emollient made from sheep's wool. But some people with eczema can develop an allergy to it. 
• ‍Propylene glycol: This emulsifier (a surface-active agent that helps two ingredients hold together, like oil and water) is used in many types of moisturizers, topical steroids and anti-inflammatory medications used to treat eczema. If you have a reaction to this ingredient, you may be allergic to it.
• ‍Parabens: Parabens are a type of preservative that are added to many types of personal care products and medications. They’re generally considered safe, especially in personal hygiene products where the concentration is very low. But some people are allergic to parabens, which can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Though the prevalence of paraben allergies is low, you may want to avoid the ingredient if your skin has had a reaction to it in the past.
• ‍Retinoids/Retinol: These ingredients are common in anti-aging and anti-acne products, but they are often irritating and can trigger eczema symptoms because they suppress the oil glands, causing skin to be drier. 
• ‍Urea: Research shows that urea can help to improve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis on the hands and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, particularly when used as an ingredient in hand cream and foam. However, urea should not be applied to the eyelids or eye area since it may cause further irritation.     
• ‍Ethanol: This type of alcohol used in some hair products can dry out the skin and cause stinging.
• ‍Cocamidopropyl betaine: This ingredient is commonly used in personal care products, including tear-free shampoos, but research shows that people with eczema are more likely to have a hypersensitivity to it.  

Ingredients to Look for in an Eye Cream for Eczema

When looking for an eye cream to treat eyelid eczema, search for ingredients that are soothing, hydrating and anti-inflammatory. 

Soothing ingredients

Several ingredients found in eye creams and ointments have been shown to help soothe irritated eczema skin. These ingredients include:

• Ceramides: These fats found in outer skin cells play an important role in maintaining the barrier function of the skin. People with eczema have skin that’s deficient in ceramides, which is why creams containing the ingredient can help to improve symptoms.
• ‍Chamomile: Some research shows that German chamomile oil and Roman chamomile extract may help to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms of eczema. When used as an ingredient in creams or ointments, look for 20 gm of chamomile oil per 100 gm of the base. However, keep in mind that some people can experience allergic contact dermatitis and irritation from chamomile.  
• ‍Calendula: Also known as marigold, calendula has long been used to soothe irritated skin and is believed to contain antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Look for an ointment or cream with 2-5% calendula. Like chamomile, some people may be allergic or irritated by the ingredient. If using the ingredient for the first time, test a small amount of the product on a small patch of skin to see if you have a reaction before applying it on the entire eyelid. 

Hydrating ingredients 

Sufficient skin hydration is key to eczema care and prevention. Some examples of eczema-friendly, hydrating ingredients include:

• Hyaluronic acid: A high-quality emollient that can help to improve skin hydration.
• ‍Glycerin: A humectant that helps to hydrate the skin by improving water absorption.
• ‍Petrolatum: The active ingredient in petroleum jelly, which is often used as a first-line treatment for eczema due to its high oil content and its efficiency at locking in moisture in the skin.
• ‍Colloidal oatmeal: Colloidal oatmeal has been found to improve skin pH, skin barrier function and skin hydration in people with eczema. Look for a cream or ointment that contains 1% colloidal oatmeal, which research shows can reduce the overall severity of eczema symptoms.
• ‍Niacinamide: This type of vitamin B-3 can help skin improve its ceramide barrier, helping it to retain moisture. 

Top Eye Creams for Eczema on Eyelids

Recommended eye creams for eczema include products that are fragrance-free and contain hydrating and soothing ingredients. 

Below are some examples of dermatologist-recommended eye creams for eczema on the eyelids: 

• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream: Ophthalmologist-tested, this fragrance-free cream contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin. 
• ‍CeraVe Eye Repair Cream: Ophthalmologist-tested, this fragrance-free cream contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. 
• ‍La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Cream: This preservative, paraben, fragrance and drying-alcohol free cream contains niacinamide and glycerin.
• ‍Vanicream Moisturizing Ointment: This lanolin, paraben and fragrance-free ointment is dermatologist tested and was awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association.

How to Apply Eye Cream for Eczema on Eyelids

It’s best to apply eye cream to a clean, make-up free face. Before applying, wash your hands with soap and water to avoid transferring any unwanted irritants to the eye area. 

If you’re using a new cream or ingredient for the first time, consider patch testing a small amount on your skin and monitoring for a reaction before applying it to the entire eyelid.

When to See a Dermatologist for Eyelid Eczema

If your eyelid eczema doesn’t improve after basic care, including using a fragrance-free, moisturizing cream, reach out to a dermatology-expert for guidance.