How to Clean Eyelids

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Keeping your eyelids clean can prevent bacterial build up and lessen the symptoms of blepharitis. [1] You can keep your eyelids clean by washing them daily with a gentle cleaning solution. You should also properly remove your eye makeup at the end of every day if you wear it. Whenever you clean your eyelids, make sure you're gentle so you don't cause any damage.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Cleaning Your Eyelids with a Solution

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  1. 1
    Wash your hands before touching the eye area. Washing your hands makes sure they are clean and prepared to come in contact with the delicate area around the eye. Be sure to use warm water and an antibacterial soap on your hands before any time you plan on touching your eyes. [2]
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    Fill a glass with 2–3 fluid ounces (59–89 ml) of warm water. Add 3 drops of baby shampoo to the water. Stir the water and shampoo thoroughly with a spoon. [3]
    • Don’t feel like making your own cleaning solution? Look for a premade eyelid-cleaning solution like Sterilid, Cetaphil, or Ocusoft at your local drug store.
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    Keep your eyes closed so the cotton ball doesn’t irritate them. Gently rub the cotton ball back and forth across each eyelid for 15-30 seconds. [4]
    • If you don’t have cotton balls, use a cloth or lint-free gauze pad or washcloth instead.
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    Dip the cotton swab in the cleaning solution and gently brush it back and forth across the surface of your eyelids. Spend 30 seconds brushing each eyelid with the cotton swab, making sure to get the lash line and lid margin. [5]
    • Be sure to use a different cotton swab for each eye.
    • Use a magnifying mirror for this step so you can see the tiny flakes on your eyelids.
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    Lower your face over a sink and use your hands to bring cold water to your eyelids. After you’ve rinsed all the solution off your eyelids, pat them dry with a towel.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Taking Makeup off Your Eyelids

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    An oil-based remover will make it easier to take off your eye makeup so you don’t have to scrub as hard. If you’re not wearing waterproof eye makeup, any kind of eye-makeup remover will work. [6]
    • You can find oil-based remover online or at your local drug store.
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    Hold the soaked cotton pad over your eyelids for 10 seconds. This will allow the remover to dissolve your eye makeup, which will make it easier to get off. [7]
    • To save yourself time, look for cotton pads that are pre-soaked in eye-makeup remover.
    • Use a different cotton pad for each eye.
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    Don’t use an aggressive scrubbing motion or you could pull out eyelashes and damage the skin around your eyelids. Just gently bring the cotton pad across the surface of your eyelids.
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    Start at the inside corner of your eye and work your way to the outside corner. Use a gentle wiping motion as you bring the cotton pad down over both your upper and lower eyelids. Avoid rubbing back and forth across your eyelids so you don’t damage the skin around them.
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    Wet your face and gently work the face wash into your skin with your hands. Gently rub the face wash over your eyelids to remove the eye-makeup remover you used.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How often should you wash your eyelids?
    Mark Cannon, OD
    Board Certified Optometrist
    Dr. Mark Cannon is an Optometrist and Chief of Optometry at Cannon Eyecare, a family-owned optometry practice in Seattle, Washington. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Cannon specializes in ocular disease, dry eye, glaucoma, eye infection, contact lens fitting, and pediatrics. Dr. Cannon holds a BS in Biology and Psychology from Indiana University. He received his Doctorate in Optometry from Indiana University School of Optometry, where he earned the Dean's Scholar award and participated in years of ophthalmic research. Dr. Cannon worked as an optometrist for four years before founding Cannon Eyecare, which offers full-scope medical optometry services. Dr. Cannon is a member of the American Optometric Association, King County Optometric Society, and the Optometric Physicians of Washington.
    Mark Cannon, OD
    Board Certified Optometrist
    Expert Answer
    Keeping your eyelids clean is crucial to maintaining your long-term eye health and comfort. When you take a shower, soap up your lids and lashes with a mild soap. Let it sit on the outside of your eyes for 20-30 seconds, then rinse it off. That's typically all you'll need.
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      Tips

      Things You’ll Need

      Cleaning Your Eyelids with a Solution

      • Mild baby shampoo (or premade eye-cleaning solution)
      • Cotton ball
      • Cotton swab

      Taking Makeup off Your Eyelids

      • Eye-makeup remover
      • Cotton pad
      • Face wash

      Tips

      • Keep your eyes clean by washing your lids, lashes, and brows every time you take a shower. Any mild soap will do—Dove, Oil of Olay, Neutrogena, and Cetaphil are good options. Just let the soap sit on the outside of your eyes for 20-30 seconds, then rinse it off. [8]
        Thanks
      • Try to keep your hands away from your eye area as much as possible unless you are cleaning the area or applying makeup.
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      Warnings

      • If you feel severe itching or pain in your eye after washing it, you should seek immediate medical help.
        Thanks
      • If you see any pus or drainage from your eye, or if you develop a thick green or yellow crust you may have an eye infection. Call your ophthalmologist or go to urgent care to get immediate medical assistance.
        Thanks
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blepharitis/Pages/Treatment.aspx
      2. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/about/prevention.html
      3. ↑ https://www.umkelloggeye.org/conditions-treatments/blepharitis
      4. ↑ https://www.umkelloggeye.org/conditions-treatments/blepharitis
      5. ↑ https://www.umkelloggeye.org/conditions-treatments/blepharitis
      6. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/makeup-removal-guide#2
      7. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/makeup-removal-guide#2
      8. ↑ Mark Cannon, OD. Board Certified Optometrist. Expert Interview. 14 August 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean your eyelids, start by mixing 3 ounces of water with 3 drops of baby shampoo to make a cleaning solution. Next, dip a cotton ball in the soapy water and gently rub it back and forth across your eyelid for 30 seconds. Then, dip a cotton swab into the solution, and use it to brush away any flakes on your lids and lash line. Finally, rinse your lids with cold water and carefully pat them dry with a towel. For tips on how to remove makeup from your eyelids without causing irritation, read on!

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