If yes, it's probable you have blepharitis, or eyelid inflammation. Unfortunately, it often coexists with a bacterial infection, dryness, or meibomian gland issues as well. This condition is very common in the United States and around the world, so you're not alone!
Here are a few things you should know about blepharitis and what you can do to support your eyelid health.
3 Steps for Blepharitis Relief
First of all, you want to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist to be sure that you have blepharitis and not something else going on. An eye doctor’s job is to properly diagnose and treat your ocular condition, so they’re the best place to start. Also, they have special equipment that can help define exactly what you're dealing with. Overall, washing your face regularly and practicing good eyelid hygiene are great ways to support your eyelid health, and we'll dive a bit deeper into these in this article. Now, onto the three simple steps!
1. Remove makeup and debris with an eyelid wipe
Makeup is something you should avoid when you have severe blepharitis, but if you need to take it off the best remover to use is usually an eyelid wipe. The MediViz Tea Tree Oil Eyelid Wipes will help remove all eye makeup. Eyelid wipes are great because they're simple to use and work well to remove all of the makeup and ensure that your eyelids are clean when you head to bed. If you're running into stubborn waterproof mascara, simply wet your eyelids and lashes a bit before using the wipe. This helps to loosen it.
2. Application of warm compresses over the eyelids can loosen the crusts
You can purchase a specific warm eye compress somewhere like Amazon, and we prefer the MediViz Warm Compress with Removable Cover. If it's easy and quick to use, you're more likely to do it!
- Microwave for 10-20 seconds until warm to the touch (test on your wrist).
- Place over your closed eyelids for 10-20 minutes.
- Relax and enjoy!
- Gently massage the area to loosen up any debris.
- Follow your warm compress with an eyelid cleanser to remove any extra contaminants.
3. Finish your routine with a Hypochlorous Acid Eyelid Cleanser
As we stated earlier, keeping the eyelids and lashes clean is so important. Use of a hypochlorous acid based solution cleans the eyelids and helps support their overall health.
This is super easy to do! Simply spray the solution onto a cotton ball and apply to your closed eyelids. Make sure to concentrate it at the base of your eyelashes. The cleanser does not need to be rinsed off, and it's recommended to do this twice per day.
Dr. Travis Zigler's Top 5 Eyelid Scrub Products
1. MediViz Eyelid Cleaning Wipes
MediViz Eyelid Cleaning Wipes can do quite a bit, and these are a great option if you don't want a wipe containing tea tree oil. When you remove unwanted dead skin cells and debris, this supports overall eye and eyelid health.
Ingredients for MediViz Eyelid Cleaning Wipes
- Water, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate, Panthenol, Decyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Citric Acid, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide
Directions MediViz Eyelid Cleaning Wipes
- Unfold pre-moistened pad and wrap over finger
- Close eye and gently cleanse lid using side-to-side strokes
- Do not touch eye directly
- Repeat for other lid
- Leave on for best results
- No rinsing necessary or rinse
Where can I buy MediViz Eyelid Cleaning Wipes? What is the price of MediViz Eyelid Cleaning Wipes?
2. Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser
Released in June 2017, Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser is one of the first over-the-counter hypochlorous acid sprays, with comparable ingredients to Avenova below.
This natural, non-detergent based spray is perfect for deep cleaning the skin, which makes it great for managing skin irritation you have, such as cuts, scrapes, eyelid bumps, irritated eyes, redness, swelling, burning, itching, gunky, or crustiness of the eyelid margin.
- Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser's 3 Ingredients: Pure Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) 0.015%, electrolyzed water (H2O), Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
- Safe for contact with skin, eyes, and ingestion
- Shelf Life: 2 years after manufacture date
Directions for Heyedrate Lid and Lash Cleanser
- Wash face with a tea tree oil bar soap and dry
- Spray onto a cotton round and gently rub across eyelid margin
- Repeat for other lid
- Leave on for best results
- No rinsing necessary
Where can I buy Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser? What is the price of Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser?
3. Avenova
Avenova Spray is the first prescription, FDA-approved, non-detergent based, non-antibiotic product shown to be successful in managing common eye conditions such as irritated eyes.
I used this in my clinic for two years and had great results. I now use the Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser on this list because the price is more affordable and it is over-the-counter.
- Avenova Spray's 2 Ingredients: Neutrox (pure hypochlorous acid, 0.01% as a preservative) in saline
- Safe for contact with skin, eyes, and ingestion
- Shelf Life: 30 days after opening
Directions for Avenova Spray
- Close eyes and spray directly onto eyelids.
- Let dry, no rinse required
- Alternatively, you can spray on a cotton round and gently rub across eyelid margin
- Repeat for other lid
- Leave on for best results
Where can I buy Avenova Spray? What is the price of Avenova Spray?
4. Heyedrate Tea Tree Foaming Face Wash
Heyedrate Foaming Face Wash is a natural, non-detergent based foaming cleanser is made with gentle liquid soap, for a refreshingly rich lather, and 19 botanicals and plant extracts selected for their potent antioxidant properties. This includes tea tree oil, aloe vera, lavender, lemon, and peppermint essential oils.
Ingredients for Heyedrate Tea Tree Foaming Face Wash- Liquid Soap (Purified Water, Saponified Organic Extra Virgin Olive, Organic Coconut & Organic Sunflower Oils), Vegetable Glycerin, Extracts of: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera), Salix Alba (Willow Bark), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice), Echinacea Angustifolia (Echinacea), Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal), Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's Wort), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Populus Tremuloides (Aspen Bark), Epilobium Angustifolium (Willow Leaf), Phyllanthus Emblica (Amalaki Fruit), Calendula Officinalis (Calendula), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower), Citrus Limonum (Lemon), Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme), Algae, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel); Gluconolactone & Sodium Benzoate (Ecocert Approved Preservative) and Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree), Ocimum Basilicum (Basil), Salvia Officinalis (Sage) and Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Essential Oils.
Directions for Heyedrate Tea Tree Foaming Face Wash
- To use, simply wet your face and pump 1-2 pumps into the palms of your hand. Work into a lather over your skin, and then rinse thoroughly. If you decide to use this over your eyelids, make sure to rinse well. This is a soap formula, so there is a potential for it to burn if it gets directly in your eyes. Pat dry, and you're finished!
Where can I buy Heyedrate Tea Tree Foaming Face Wash? What is the price?
5. MediViz Tea Tree Eyelid Wipes
MediViz Tea Tree Eyelid Cleaning Wipes are exfoliating, purified, hypoallergenic eyelid wipes. By cleaning your eyelids daily, you remove unwanted dead skin cells and debris to leave your eyelid skin feeling brand new.
Ingredients for MediViz Tea Tree Eyelid Wipes:
- Water, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Decyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Panthenol, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol
Directions MediViz Tea Tree Eyelid Cleaning Wipes
- Open packet and remove MediViz Eyelid Wipe. Unfold wipe, close eye, and wipe eyelid and eyelashes with a gentle, sweeping motion. Do not flush wipe. Do not use wipe on open eye. No rinsing is necessary!
Where can I buy MediViz Tea Tree Eyelid Cleaning Wipes? What is the price?
Other Tips to Try
- Reduce the amount of makeup you wear, because makeup interferes with good eyelid hygiene. If you have to wear makeup, be sure to remove it with a tea tree eyelid wipe. Also make sure to remove all your eye makeup before going to bed at night.
- Avoid contact lenses during flare-ups, as wearing contact lenses increases bacteria in the eye and eyelid area. If you must wear them, ensure that you’re removing them at night and properly cleaning your lenses.
- Doctors may prescribe a low-dose, oral antibiotic in some cases.
- Application of a medicated eye drop may be needed, such as an antibiotic ointment, if the above still does not resolve your issues.
- It’s always best to consult with your eye doctor before beginning any regimen, so that they can give you a proper diagnosis and direction.
Nulids Device
This is the last thing we want to mention. The NuLids device is a doctor prescribed, at-home device designed for meibomian gland issues, dryness, and crustiness of the eyelids. It is an exfoliating device that exfoliates the top and bottom eyelid margins. This helps break down that biofilm formation, and it can be a great addition to your eyelid hygiene routine.
We, Eye Love, LLC, are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. MediViz and Heyedrate branded products are made by our company, Eye Love, but we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
