How to Get Sunscreen Out of Eyes

PDF download Download Article
A complete guide to relieving the irritating burn of sunscreen in your eyes
PDF download Download Article

Whether you're headed to the beach or taking a walk around the neighborhood, getting drips of sunscreen in your eyes can be very painful. Thankfully, flushing out your eyes with water is a quick and effective way to clear it away. We'll walk you through the entire process, along with some tips on how to prevent this irritating experience in the future.

Things You Should Know

  • Position your eyes under a faucet and flush out the sunscreen with a warm stream of water.
  • Tip your head back and pour a glass of warm water over your eyes if you don't have access to a faucet.
  • Rest your eyes for 15-30 minutes to give them a chance to recover.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Flushing Your Eyes

PDF download Download Article
  1. In a bathroom, set a faucet to a gentle flow of lukewarm water. Bend over and position your eye under the faucet, turning your head as necessary. Let the water flow across your face so that it passes over your eye, and hold your eye open to rinse it. Continue to do so for about 15 minutes, to completely flush the sunscreen from your eye. [1]
    • Alternatively, step into the shower. Then, with your face tilted toward the shower head, let a gentle stream of warm water flow from your forehead down into your held-open eye.
    • Always wash your hands beforehand. [2] If you wear contacts, remove them before flushing your eyes. [3]
  2. Use a clean cup filled with warm water to rinse the eyes. With your head tilted back, rest the edge of the cup on the bone just beneath your eye. Then gently tilt the cup to spill water into your eye socket, holding your eye open with your free hand. [4]
    Advertisement
  3. Squeeze a few drops , then do your best to open your eye, blinking rapidly to allow the liquid to rinse the surface of your eye. Use mild, moisturizing eye drops —avoid any that say “super cleaning” on the label or include hydrogen peroxide on their ingredients list, as these can further harm and already irritated eye. [5]
    • Use eye drops in addition to warm water to better flush your eye, restore moisture, and soothe irritation after the first rinse.
  4. Move to a shady or dim area and keep your eyes closed for a while. Your eyes have just been through a lot and are most likely reddened and still a bit irritated, and will need a chance to recover. [6] Wet a wash cloth with cold water and lay it over your eyes to help relieve some pain as you recover.
    • If your eyes still sting after a few hours, contact emergency services for help. If you’re helping someone else, have them tell you how they’re feeling every so often.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Prevention

PDF download Download Article
  1. It’s so tempting to just aim and spray, we know, but that’s a recipe for disaster. Instead, spray that sunscreen into your hands, give it a few rubs, then apply it to your face with your fingers, This allows for more deliberate application. [7] In addition, stick sunscreens also allow for easier application that lessens the chance of eye irritation. [8]
  2. Mineral-based sunscreens , also known as physical sunscreens, such as those made with zinc or titanium dioxide, are generally more gentle on the skin and accordingly, won’t irritate your eyes as much if they happen to find their way in. [9]
  3. Kids aren’t the best at thorough and proper sunscreen application (and you can’t really blame them). Their little hands are more likely to deposit a glob of sunscreen right into their eyes. To avert this, help your kid with sunscreen application, and teach them to be careful around their eyes as you do. [10]
    • Also, keep your sunscreen on a high shelf or locked cabinet, where they’re unlikely to find and use it unsupervised.
  4. This serves a dual purpose: first, it ensures that the sunscreen is completely absorbed and can more effectively protect you from UV rays. [11] As an added bonus, thoroughly rubbing the sunscreen into your skin ensures that no stray or excess sunscreen can slide into your eyes as you go about your day.
  5. Of course, it’s important to protect your thinnest, most sensitive skin (like the area around your eyes) from harmful UV rays, but you can take some pressure off the sunscreen situation by wearing large, dark sunglasses, as well. Top it off with a wide-brimmed hat to stay cool and safe on your sunny days outside. [12]
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Apply Sunscreen
      How to
      Use Sunscreen With Makeup
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid/basics/art-20056645
      2. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid/basics/art-20056645
      3. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-flush-out-your-eye/
      4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid/basics/art-20056645
      5. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-flush-out-your-eye/
      6. ↑ https://www.poison.org/articles/ouch-that-stuff-got-in-my-eye
      7. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-use-stick-spray-sunscreens
      8. ↑ https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sunscreen-around-your-eyes/
      9. ↑ https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sunscreen-around-your-eyes/
      1. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sunscreen.html
      2. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-apply-sunscreen
      3. ↑ https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/03/709486490/you-missed-a-spot-patchy-sunscreen-application-leaves-skin-vulnerable-to-cancer

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 14,111 times.
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement