If your eyes ever feel sore, gritty or itchy, or appear red, dull and watery, you might be experiencing dry eyes – cases are up 34% in the last year alone. Lots of screen time, cold and windy weather, being in heated rooms, wearing contact lenses, even using cosmetics, can compromise your protective tear film.
"This film is composed of many layers and provides your eyes with an incredible natural barrier to your environment, keeping the delicate surface of the eye healthy," explains Paul McMahon, clinical governance optometrist at Boots Opticians.
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We outline five expert-approved ways to brighten your dry eyes, and reduce irritation for healthy peepers:
Avoid Formulas With Alcohol & Fragrance
Remember this: anything you use on or near to your eyes, ends up in your eyes. When we close our eyes, it’s not an airtight seal. “We have tiny gaps between our lashes that allow product to get in,” explains Nicola Alexander-Cross, optometrist and founder of Peep Club. Nicola suggests avoiding make-up and creams that contain alcohol (sometimes listed as ethanol), fragrance (including citronellol and linalool) or talc. “These ingredients are hugely irritating to eyes and can disturb the tear film. They can be found in some foundations, concealers, loose powders and setting sprays.”
Reconsider Your Eyeliner
The worst offender? Eyeliner on your waterline. “In terms of eye make-up, that’s probably the worst thing you can do,” Nicola tells us. “Most liners contain wax, which can block the glands that line your lash line, so avoid it at all costs. And if you do use it, make sure you remove it thoroughly.”
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Change Up Your Products
“People with dry eyes often notice it when they become sensitised to a mascara or eye cream they’ve been using for years,” explains Nicola. “It’s not necessarily the mascara, it could be that your eyes have become sensitised to one of the ingredients because your tear film isn’t able to fend it off.” Having a regular eye routine, like you have for your skin, is an effective preventative measure, and it will help to restore the quality of your tears, too.
Try A Cleansing Tool
Introduce a cleansing spray, or try Peep Club’s innovative heated wand (below), which unblocks the tiny glands that line the upper and lower lash line.
Invest In A Humidifier
Rachna Murthy, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Face Restoration, also points out that we blink less when looking at screens, so having a humidifier close by can replenish some of that moisture. “Eyes also dry out while we sleep, so a humidifier in the bedroom reduces the symptoms.”
The top 5 things to buy for bright eyes:
The Humidifier
It's mist helps keep eyes hydrated.
Hydrating Portable Humidifier, £55, Peep Club
SHOP NOW
The Eye Drops
Instant relief for dry and irritated eyes.
Night Gel Eye Drops, £7.99, Boots
SHOP NOW
The Cleanser
A pH-balanced cleanser – kind to lashes and eyes.
Professional Spray, £11.95, Purifeyes
Award-Winning Massaging Device
Heated Eye Wand, £60, Peep Club
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