Good Eyelid Hygiene Habits

Taking care of your eyelids might not seem that important, but it is. Eyelid hygiene makes a big difference to your eye comfort and health. Many people skip cleaning their eyelids. Some don’t know it’s even a thing. But just like brushing your teeth or washing your face, eyelid hygiene should be part of your daily routine.

The Basics of Eyelid Hygiene

Your eyelids protect your eyes. They keep out dust, dirt, and bacteria. They can also trap these things. Over time, the buildup may turn into irritation, dryness, and even eye infections. Blepharitis, styes, and dry eye are often linked to poor eyelid hygiene. Keeping your eyelids clean is the first step to preventing these problems.

Common Problems Linked to Poor Eyelid Hygiene

These eye problems are why regular eyelid hygiene is a must:

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is one of the most common results of poor eyelid hygiene. It's inflammation of the eyelids.

The edges of your eyelids become red, swollen, and itchy. You may notice crusts or flakes around your lashes when you wake up. Some people say it feels like sand in the eye. Vision may blur slightly from tear film instability.

Blepharitis often comes and goes, and without proper eyelid hygiene, it tends to come back. Left untreated, it can cause eyelash loss.

Dry Eye

Your eyes need moisture. Along the eyelid margins are tiny oil glands (meibomian glands) which make your tears last longer by keeping the tear film from evaporating too quickly. Dirty eyelids can block the oil glands and the tear film breaks down too fast.

The eyes may feel dry, gritty, or watery. And yes, too much tearing can be a sign of dryness. You may become sensitive to light or feel burning in your eyes, especially in windy or air-conditioned settings.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

MGD is a common but often overlooked problem. When the oil glands in your eyelids get clogged or stop working properly, your tear film suffers. The result is dry eye, irritation, and blurred vision. MGD often develops slowly and worsens over time. Daily eyelid hygiene can keep these glands clear and functioning well.

Styes (Hordeolum)

A stye is a red, painful bump on the edge of the eyelid that looks like a pimple. It happens when bacteria infect an oil gland or hair follicle at the base of an eyelash. Poor eyelid hygiene increases the chance of getting a stye. They can be painful and swollen, and sometimes they even produce pus.

Chalazions

A chalazion is similar, but it's not an infection. It’s a blocked oil gland deeper in the eyelid. It usually doesn’t hurt as much as a stye, but it can grow large and last for weeks or months. Both styes and chalazions are more likely to form when the eyelids are not cleaned properly.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Although not always caused by dirty eyelids, poor eyelid hygiene can increase the risk of pink eye. Eyelid bacteria can transfer to the eye’s surface and cause an infection. Redness, discharge, and tearing are some disturbing signs we associate with conjunctivitis. You may also wake up with sticky eyelids.

RELATED: Types of Eye Discharge

When Should You Start Eyelid Hygiene?

Even if your eyes feel fine, cleaning your eyelids is still a good habit. If you wear makeup, contact lenses, or have allergies, it’s even more important. People with skin conditions like rosacea or dandruff should be extra careful. And if your eye doctor told you that you have blepharitis or dry eye, then eyelid hygiene is a must.

RELATED: How to Clean Your Contact Lenses?

Eyelid Hygiene Products

There are special products made for eyelid hygiene. You’ll find lid scrubs, wipes, foams, and sprays. You don’t need all of them. Stick to one.

• Lid scrubs – Soft pads with gentle cleanser

• Sprays – Easy to use, especially if your skin is sensitive

• Foams – Good for deep cleaning without rubbing hard

• Wipes - Single-use wipes with eyelid cleaning solution

Ask your eye doctor for recommendations.

Daily Eyelid Hygiene Routine

There's nothing fancy about eyelid hygiene. All you need is consistency. The best time to clean your eyelids is in the morning, after you wake up.

1. Wash Your Hands

Always start cleaning your eyelids with clean hands. You don’t want to add more bacteria to the eye area.

2. Use a Clean, Warm Compress

Take a clean cloth. Soak it in warm water. Wring it out. Place it over your closed eyes for 1–2 minutes to loosen any crusts or oils.

3. Clean the Eyelid Margins

Use a lid cleanser. You can find it in the form of eyelid wipes, spray, foam, or a liquid solution. If you are using a solution, foam, or spray, apply it with a cotton pad, gauze, or clean finger. Gently clean the base of your lashes, one eye at a time.

Make small, gentle side-to-side movements. Don’t rub hard. You don’t want to irritate your eyes.

4. Rinse and Pat Dry

Use clean water to rinse any leftover cleanser. Then gently pat dry with a soft towel.

That’s it. This eyelid hygiene routine takes about 2 minutes. Do it once or twice a day if needed.

Eyelid Hygiene Tips

Eyelid hygiene starts with small changes to your habits and lifestyle:

• Don’t share towels or eye products

• Remove makeup completely every night

• Avoid rubbing your eyes

• Use preservative-free artificial tears if you have dry eyes

• Throw away expired makeup

If you follow these simple tips, you will be less prone to inflammation and ocular infections.

RELATED: Eye Infection from Makeup

Eyelid Hygiene for Contact Lens Users

If you wear contacts, you’re at higher risk of infection.

Keep your lenses clean, follow wearing times, and never sleep with them unless told to. Combine good contact lens care with daily eyelid hygiene.

Eyelid Hygiene and Makeup

Love makeup? No problem. Just make sure you:

• Never sleep with eye makeup on

• Replace eye products every 3–6 months

• Use hypoallergenic brands if you have sensitive eyes

• Avoid applying eyeliner inside the lash line (the waterline)

• Clean your brushes regularly

These habits go hand in hand with good eyelid hygiene.

What If Your Eyes Still Feel Bad?

Eyelid hygiene is easy. It doesn’t take long. But it goes a long way. Think of it as a part of your skincare routine. If you’re doing everything right and still have issues, talk to your eye doctor. You may have an underlying condition. Or you might need medicated drops, ointments, or a different eyelid hygiene product.

✅ Medically reviewed by Atanas Bogoev, MD.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maria Bogoeva is a medical writer with over 11 years of experience in copywriting and content strategy. She’s the founder of Ophthalmology24, where she leads the creation of clear, practical, and medically accurate content for ophthalmologists and patients. Her mission: make ophthalmology education more accessible and engaging worldwide.