Wondering why there seems to be excess oil on your eyelids? Well, you’re not the only one.
Many people deal with oily skin in some form. Some people deal with oil on their whole face, and people who have combination skin deal with oil on their t-zone (the forehead, nose, and chin), while other parts of the face (cheeks and jaw area) are dry.
It can be equally annoying to deal with oil on parts of your face where you probably wouldn’t even think oil could be! While oily eyelids may not necessarily be a concerning health problem, they can definitely affect your makeup, including both its appearance and its longevity — and who wants that?
Why Do Oily Eyelids Happen?
First, let’s try to better understand why exactly oily eyelids happen in the first place.
Sebum, an oily substance, is produced by the sebaceous glands present underneath the skin’s pores. While sebum helps with protecting and hydrating the skin, excess sebum production can occur, which can lead to oily eyelids.
Here are several reasons why oily eyelids may occur:
Hormonal Fluctuations
As mentioned, some people have oilier skin than others. For example, higher testosterone levels can lead to higher oil production.
Genetics
Believe it or not, the very makeup of your genetic DNA could play a part in why some people have oilier skin than others. While there’s not much you can do about this, it’s worth considering when you’re trying to figure out why your lids might be a little extra oily this morning.
Stress
It’s no secret that stress can be a daily disturbance in our lives. But did you know that stress affects many more processes in our bodies — including our skin? Stress can lead to the glands in your skin producing excess oil.
Environment
Factors such as humidity can cause oilier skin. That’s part of why oily skin and eyelids are also more common in the spring and summertime.
Topical Products
Some of the oil-based lotions, serums, or cosmetics you may use can clog the pores. These pore-clogging ingredients include cocoa butter, acetylated lanolin alcohol, isopropyl linoleate, and many others.
To understand what ingredients can clog pores and lead to oily skin (and eyelids), we suggest you do your own research on the extensive list of these ingredients.
Avoid Harsh Cleansers. Certain facial soaps and cleansers may contain harsh chemicals that strip the excess oil from the skin. Your eyelids may produce excess oil in response to compensate for that loss of oil.
10 Tips on How To Deal With Oily Eyelids
Now that you’ve got a better understanding of some of the reasons why oily eyelids can happen, we’re sure you’re wondering what exactly you can do to keep them at bay. Although you may not be able to completely get rid of oily eyelids, there are definitely a few tips you can put into practice to reduce that oiliness. Here are 10 of them:
1. Use Lashify®’s Pre-Cleanse Cleansing Water
You may want to try using our Pre-Cleanse Cleansing Water! This exclusive formula can be used as both prep for your lids and natural lashes and toner to remove excess oil. It can help lightly exfoliate the surface of the skin and potentially tighten your pores.
Our Japanese cleansing water is multi-purpose, as it can be used as a facial toner, to clean your lash extensions while you wear them, to remove oil from the lid, and to remove any eyeshadow that may fall onto the top of the lash during makeup application. You can simply take a cotton round, soak it with the Pre-Cleanse, and then gently swipe it over your eyelid area.
2. Use a Gentler Soap
Switch to a gentle facial wash or soap that you’ll use once or twice a day and after working out.
Make sure that any soaps you choose are specifically for the face. Pick gentle cleansers that are made with a non-irritating formula that can help the skin retain moisture while also ridding it of excess oils and debris.
3. Choose Non-Comedogenic Products
Aim for skin care products that are non-comedogenic. This means that they won’t clog the pores.
4. Use a Gentle Moisturizer
A gentle moisturizer is one that doesn’t contain alcohol or other irritants like fragrances and parabens. Moisturizer is important to use to keep your skin soft and hydrated, as it works to help reduce irritation and dryness.
5. Wear Sunscreen
Sunscreen has many important benefits. It helps to shield UV rays from the sun, as well as preventing sunburn and premature aging.
When you’re looking for a sunscreen, look for an option that’s oil-free, fragrance-free, and moisture-resistant. Aim for SPF 30 at least, and make sure to apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside.
6. Use Eyeshadow Primer
If you wear eye makeup, apply eyeshadow primer beforehand. Primer helps to create a dry and even base for your eye makeup. They can also help to reduce oil and make your eye makeup last longer and appear more vibrant.
7. Use Blotting Papers
These are little thin sheets that help to absorb any excess oil. Simply take one and gently pat your eyelid area.
8. Take Off All Your Makeup
Make sure to completely remove your makeup at the end of the day and thoroughly wash your face as well. Makeup that is left on can lead to clogged pores, which can result in acne.
So, no matter how lazy you may be feeling, go ahead and take that extra step to ensure your skin stays as clean (and oil-free) as possible!
While makeup wipes can do a decent job at removing makeup, they usually still don’t manage to take off everything, so you may want to double down with micellar water or witch hazel. And then, of course, follow up with washing your face afterward, preferably with the aforementioned gentle face wash.
9. Don’t Touch Your Face
Try not to touch your eyelids or face throughout the day, as this can transfer oils from your hand to your face. Plus, if you’re wearing any makeup, touching your face might smudge it or cause all your hard work to wear off faster than it otherwise would.
10. Set Your Makeup
After applying makeup to your face, set your makeup by dusting a powder on your top and bottom eyelids. This helps soak up excess oil and keep your makeup in place.
Keep in mind that there are various kinds of powders that you can use to set your makeup, and they each achieve slightly different looks for your makeup.
- Loose powder can be applied with a powder brush or damp sponge and is pretty lightweight, so it won’t make your makeup look cakey.
- Pressed powder can be applied with a sponge and helps set makeup by mattifying the skin and adding coverage.
11. Try To Keep Stress Down
We know; it’s easier said than done. But since stress is one of the reasons that the skin glands can overproduce oil, it’s worth it to try your best to manage any stress in your life.
Make sure you take time each week to decompress and do something that you find enjoyable — whether that’s relaxing and pampering yourself at home with a spa day, cozying up with a good book, or even going out and dancing the night away with friends. It’s so important to take that time for you.
12. Switch Your Eyeliner
If you usually wear liquid or gel eyeliner, consider switching to a pencil one. Liquid and gel eyeliner can make excess oil accumulate, so it might be better to use a dry formula instead. If you make the switch, you might notice a bit less smudging throughout the day.
Say Goodbye to Oily Eyelids
We know that oily eyelids — and oily skin in general — can be a pain in the butt. But don’t be discouraged! There are various strategies you can implement to keep them in check. By following the tips above, you can say farewell to oily eyelids and ensure the longevity of your makeup.
Sources:
Oily eyelids: Causes, treatment, and prevention | Medical News Today
Oily Eyelids: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention | Healthline
