It’s a breezy summer day with clear blue skies. Everything looks bright outside, but the moment you start enjoying the outdoors, you feel a sudden sting on your eyes. Naturally, you rub them to ease the pain, only to make things worse. You realise that that the sunscreen you applied has accidentally entered your eyes and even keeping your eyes open has become a challenge!
We spoke to Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, an
aesthetic physician to help us tackle this situation with her expert solutions.
Do we really need to apply a sunblock around our eyes?
’The skin around our eyes is thinner in comparison to the skin on the rest of our body, which makes
it vulnerable and more susceptible to sun damage. This is exactly why wearing sunblock around your eyes is a must,‘ says Dr Geetika Mittal. The first signs of ageing appear around your eyes, and wearing a sunscreen could efficiently tackle premature skin ageing.
Why do sunscreens sting or make the eyes water?
Although most
sunscreens available are safe to apply around your eye area, a chemical sunscreen has many active components that can irritate the delicate skin around your eyes,’ says Dr Geetika.
Ingredients like avobenzone and oxybenzone found in chemical sunscreens are the main suspects in making your eyes watery.
Here are some easy ways to remedy this problem
1. Look for a mineral sunscreen
’Mineral sunscreens, in my opinion, are healthier for the skin than chemical sunscreens, particularly
if you have acne or other skin problems,’ says Dr Geetika.
Mineral compositions include zinc or titanium dioxide as their main ingredients and are a wonderful
choice because they are gentle on the skin and won’t irritate your eyes even when you sweat.
’I generally suggest 2-3 finger sunblock application method for the face. Make sure you apply the sunblock 15 minutes before heading out,’ recommends Dr Geetika.
2. Stick sunscreen to the rescue
’Stick sunscreens are ideal for use around the eyes because they don’t dissolve and make
application less untidy. This variant is an emollient and therefore less likely to slide and slip. It also sticks better,’ says Dr Geetika.
3. Sunscreens for sensitive skin might save your day
’I suggest looking for sunscreens that are designated for sensitive skin, as well as those promoted as moisturisers. These tend to rub in better and are less prone to drip into the eyes from the
forehead,’ says Dr Geetika. Sunscreens meant for sensitive skin often have no fragrance, which is why they do not cause skin
irritation.
4. Consider a waterproof sunscreen
Pick up a waterproof sunscreen for application around your eyes. It stays on your face even after you sweat, avoiding any possibility of entering your eyes.
’Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, which resistant to water, and offers broad-
spectrum protection, meaning it shields you from both UVA and UVB radiation. Before heading
outside,‘ says Dr Geetika.
5. Try a double duty product
There are also products designed specifically for the eye area, such as SPF-rated tinted mineral
powders and tinted cream concealers. These products work two ways and give great protection. 'Try the double sunscreen method around your eyes - use a mineral sunscreen and follow it up
with a tinted sun block. Reapply a sunblock powder every 2-3 hours when outside,’ recommends Dr Geetika.