Our skin can become sensitive and reactive for hundreds of reasons, from environmental aggressors to stress, diet changes and of course, irritating ingredients. When it comes to the skin on our face, though, the skin surrounding the eyes is particularly sensitive. Many skin-care users—sensitive or not—can easily experience itching, burning and irritation from using harsh ingredients on and around the thin, delicate skin under the eye. If you frequently struggle with that soap-in-your-eye feeling when using skin-care products, we’ve got you covered. Ahead, skin-care experts call out the ingredients you should never use around sensitive eyes to avoid irritation.
Featured Experts
- Marisa Garshick, MD, is a dermatologist in New York
- Joel Schlessinger, MD, is a dermatologist in Omaha, NE
- Amy Peterson is a medical aesthetician and founder of Skincare by Amy Peterson
What ingredients should you never use around sensitive eyes?
While there is a laundry list of intense skin-care ingredients that should be avoided around the eyes, Dr. Schlessinger first recommends pinpointing the source of your eye irritation. “You should try to find out if the irritation is due to products that are already being used, allergies, hay fever or a pre-existing issue such as eczema,” he says. “Once that is done, it’s crucial to avoid harsh ingredients and chemicals that can trigger irritation.”
AHAs, BHAs and Retinoids
First on Dr. Schlessinger’s list of harsher ingredients that can trigger irritation are alphahydroxy acids and betahydroxy acids, or AHAs and BHAs. “I recommend avoiding strong active ingredients like retinoids, as well as AHAs and BHAs around the eye area,” he says. “These exfoliating ingredients can disrupt the skin barrier and may lead to redness, flaking or stinging—especially for those with sensitive eyes. I see patients all the time who come in and are putting seriously irritating ingredients on their face and near the eyes, but wonder why they are experiencing redness.”
Glycolic and Salicylic Acid
Continuing on the acid train, Peterson recommends avoiding glycolic acid around the eyes. Dr. Schlessinger also calls out salicylic acid as one to not use around sensitive eyes. “These ingredients can cause irritation, redness and dryness,” Peterson explains.
Fragrance and Alcohols
For anyone with sensitive skin, fragranced products and ingredients, including those that are alcohol-based, are generally to be avoided. But, staying away from these possible irritants around the eyes is especially important, Peterson and Dr. Schlessinger agree. “Fragrance and alcohol-based ingredients are a no-go around sensitive eyes,” Peterson says. “They can disrupt the delicate skin barrier and lead to inflammation. The skin around the eyes is thinner and more prone to sensitivity, so I recommend using eye creams with peptides, hyaluronic acid or encapsulated retinol that are designed for that area to target fine lines safely and effectively.”
Benzoyl Peroxide
While the ingredient is often beloved for its acne-fighting, skin-clearing capabilities, Dr. Garshick recommends exercising caution when using benzoyl peroxide on the skin, especially if this ingredient is too close to the eye area. “Exfoliating acids and ingredients like bezoyl peroxide are some of the ingredients most prone to irritating the eyes,” she says.
Vitamin C
“For some individuals, vitamin C may also be irritating around sensitive eyes,” Dr. Garshick adds. Vitamin C is a powerhouse ingredient for brightening the skin but can also cause redness and inflammation in sensitive individuals. So, if that sounds like you, it’s best to avoid using the ingredient too close to your eyes.
