Can You Safely Apply Moisturizer to Your Eyelids?

Given the sensitivity of the eyes and eyelids, it’s understandable to be cautious about applying chemical-based moisturizers near this area. However, moisturizing your eyelids is safe. Many ingredients in eye creams, facial moisturizers, and skin moisturizers serve the same purpose—to hydrate dry skin. This means they can often be used interchangeably on various parts of the body, including the eyelids.

Some experts argue that there’s no significant distinction between eye creams and regular moisturizers. Dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler states, "Save your money—expensive eye creams aren’t necessary. While the skin around your eyes is delicate, it doesn’t require a unique formula. Your everyday moisturizer works perfectly well" [source: Wechsler]. Many individuals have used standard moisturizers on their eyelids daily for years without any issues.

Despite the benefits, caution is essential in your skincare routine. The eyelid skin is exceptionally delicate and sensitive. Thinner than the skin on the rest of your face and with fewer oil glands, it’s prone to dryness and irritation [source: Urquhart]. In fact, eyelids rank among the most fragile areas of the body, making even your trusted facial moisturizers potentially irritating here [source: Victor and Yalof]. If a moisturizer causes burning, itching, redness, or swelling, rinse gently with soap and water. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor and switch to a different product.

While you might assume that high-end eye creams are gentler on your eyelids, this isn’t typically true. Although some products perform better, the ingredients and formulations in most eye creams are nearly identical to those in facial moisturizers [source: Begoun]. Simply compare the ingredients listed on an expensive eye cream with those on an affordable facial moisturizer—you’ll likely find them strikingly similar.

The upside is that unless you’re loyal to a specific eye cream and can afford it, there’s no need to splurge on costly products for your eyelids. High-end creams are just as likely to cause issues as regular moisturizers, so experiment with different options until you find one that suits your skin.