#163: Summer Tips for Dry Eyes
Happy 4th of July! Summer is here. Let's go over three great tips to take care of your eyes this summer. As dry eye suffers, there is a new challenge with every season of the year. In the winter, the air is dry. In the spring, there is too much pollen in the air. Both allergies and dryness play a role in your management plan.
In the summer, there's a lot of light and many dry eye sufferers have sensitivity to light. And, there may be some water sports that you want to be involved in. I've got a few tips and tricks that you can use to be more comfortable.
Tip #1) Use Protection
Protect the skin around your eyes
Have you ever wondered what sunscreen is safe for you to use around your eyes? Especially when your eyes are dry, they tend to be sensitive to everything. Opulence BeautyMD created the answer. It's sunscreen developed for use of the eyelids!! Wow.
We all know we need to use our sunscreen. When we go outside, put it on our bodies. This one specifically formulated for around the eyes. It's safe to use, and was created by an eye doctor.
This sunscreen is more like a paste. It stays in place better and is less likely to run into your eyes. Just rub it right onto both the upper and lower lids. SPF protection at its best.
Protect Your Eyes
Wear sunglasses anytime you are outdoors in the summer. Whether the sun is shinning brightly or not, there are harmful UV rays getting through the clouds. Your eyes need protection from the UV which causes an increased risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Not to mention that UV light causes the skin to shows signs of aging, like wrinkles! They ought to have made wrinkles a 4 letter word.
I've done an entire blog on choosing the best sunglasses when your eyes are sensitive to light. Check it out here. It is key to focus on 3 things:
- UVA and UVB protection
- Coverage: having a little wrap or side piece to block the wind
- Tint: a darker tint will keep your eyes more comfortable on the brightest of days
Tip #2) Stay Moist
Hydrate your body
Keep your body hydrated in order to keep your eyes hydrated. Drink some water. It's good for you. Drink lots of water. It's no longer enough to drink eight 8oz glasses of water.
There's a new formula. Take your weight in pounds. Divide it in two. That's how many ounces of water you need to drink every day?
Example: Let's say you 200 pounds. Divide that in two. That's 100 ounces of water. Whoa. That's a lot of water. But, it is so important when the summer time when you might be sweating more.
Hydrate your eyes
Use preservative-free artificial tears. They usually come in the little vials. Just pop off the top. Use one drop in each eye, as often as you need them.
Preservative-free tears also come in multi-use bottles these days. But, it's not just any bottle. Make sure you check the label.
Tip #3) Keep It Clean
Keeping it clean means removing your eye makeup. I love to carry with me Eyes Are The Story makeup remover wipes. They come in individual pouches. You can throw one in your swim bag, your gym bag, your purse, and your overnight bag. That way, you've always got one with you.
It's important to always take your eye makeup off. Remember, we reviewed this rule in this blog. You can also use makeup remover clothes from Norwex. These are very soft microfiber clothes that are reusable. There aren't any chemicals involved to irritate your eyes. Just wet the clothes and rub your makeup off.
Finish off your makeup removing with is hypochlorous acid spray. This step kills prevents bacteria from growing on your lids and lashes. Hypochlorous acid spray is super safe to use around your eyes. It's easy to use. Spray it onto your closed lids and allow it to air dry.
There are lots of different brands one the market. My favorite brand, twenty/twenty beauty has Hypochlorous Facial Spray. You can receive a 30% discount on anything on the website using the code: PAM30.
CONCLUSION
There you have it. Enjoy your summer. It's time to get outside. It's time to live your life. Don't let your dry eyes hold you back. Remember these three tips
- Protect your eyes using some eyelid-safe sunscreen and sunglasses
- Keep them hydrated with preservative-free artificial tears and plenty of water
- Keep your eyes clean and bacteria free. Remove your makeup and finish with hypochlorous acid spray.
If you don't yet have a favorite eye makeup remover, download the guide to makeup removers for sensitive eyes here. It'll help you pick the one that's right for your lifestyle and your skin type.
Remember if you take care of your eyes today, your #VISION will last you a lifetime.
