Sensitive, Watery Eyes and Makeup Application Trouble

[PrettyPaint]

I seem to have this issue come up a couple times a year, but I can't figure out what's going on. The outer corner of one of my eyes (skin area) has been really sore, sensitive, and watery. I'm not sure if it's allergies or dry eyes, but it's making it practically impossible to wear makeup. I like to wear winged eyeliner, but it always comes off of this one spot and ruins my makeup. I'm not sure if I should be moisturizing the skin here, if there's an eye primer that may help, etc.  If anyone has experienced something similar, do you have any recommendations on eye creams, primers, or anything that can help with makeup application? 

[WinglessOne]

@PrettyPaint  You might wanna talk with a doctor about it first—either a dermatologist, ophthalmologist, or optometrist. Especially if you’ve ever been diagnosed with something like rosacea, which can affect the eyes. Could be various other issues instead; need a doc to diagnose it. 🙂 

Both my eyes are impacted by seasonal allergies, but my right eye is frequently itchy and sore in one or both corners (for reasons outside of allergies), and it waters far more often than my left eye. I had to add an eyelid wash to my regular skincare routine. I typically use Ocusoft Lid Scrub Plus 1-5 days a week; I have both the foam and the pre-moistened wipes. The “Plus” product doesn’t need to be rinsed off, unlike other Ocusoft washes, but a doctor can recommend what (if any) similar product you need for your specific issue. You might not need a lid wash at all, or you may need to use different ingredients/medication for your eye condition. Heck, maybe all you need is an antihistamine; that’s something a doc should tell you. 

When my right eye throws tantrums, I don’t even try to wear eye makeup. Things like grippy eyeshadow primer, gel eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, and setting powder only make that eye more irritated when it’s in tantrum mode. I just treat it (as mentioned above) and then moisturize with something fairly basic like Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, or Aquaphor Ointment. 

But when both my eyes are just in seasonal allergy mode, I sometimes take my chances with eye makeup. My usual antihistamine pill helps a lot. I’m currently searching for a new grippy eye primer since Smashbox recently reformulated my favorite for worse. Even with a primer, whenever I wing out eyeliner (regardless of my eyes’ condition) I top it with a tiny bit of translucent setting powder. By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder is still my rockstar for this (and other things), but if you’ve already got a setting powder that locks concealer/foundation/whatever in place for you, try using a bit of it on your winged liner. 

[PrettyPaint]

@WinglessOne  Thanks so much! I have an eye doc appointment coming up later this month, so I'll definitely ask about it. I asked about it last year, and I think they said it could be allergies or blepharitis but they weren't sure because it wasn't a huge problem at the time.

I actually really love both of the Ocusoft Lid Scrubs that you mentioned. I tend to keep them on hand to prevent/treat styes and such. 

I think I will probably need to temporarily give up on makeup, because it's primarily my right eye that is problematic. I imagine it looks worse to have nicely applied liner on one eye and a mess on the other. Please let me know if you find a new eye primer that you like. I don't really have one that I'm loving lately. The setting powder over the liner is a great idea. I have been putting eyeshadow over liner hoping to set it, but I bet a translucent powder would be much more effective. Thanks for the great ideas.

[Loretta55]

When I suffered from blepharitis @PrettyPaint, my ophthalmologist told me to wash my eyes with baby shampoo. Hopefully that problem will clear itself shortly.

[JoSometimes]

Hi @PrettyPaint! I get itchy, watery eyes from time to time. For me, it’s seasonal allergies. Sometimes I’ll put a little dot of Vaseline in the corner of my eye and it gives me a bit of relief.

There are some antihistamine eye drops that you could try or even non/drowsy allergy meds if you think it’s an allergic reaction to your makeup. If it’s dry eyes, you could try some eye drops, but get the ones that are artificial tears and avoid the ones with vasoconstrictors that reduce pink eye/appearance of eye vessels. I also really enjoy a nice eye wash from time to time. You can get it at the drugstore. I find it really refreshing. 

I hope you find relief soon!

[PrettyPaint]

Thank you so much @JoSometimes. I'm sorry you've had the itchy eye issue as well. I think it may also be seasonal allergies in my case (I feel like it usually happens in the summer), but they are so sensitive that it's increasing my sensitivity to other products. I will definitely try out the vaseline and eye drops. The eye wash sounds really nice as well. 

[JoSometimes]

@PrettyPaint The eye wash is from a company called Optrex and it’s their sterile eye wash. It should be available at your local drugstore or even the pharmacy section of Walmart or any other grocery store.

If you think it’s allergies, it might be worth talking with your doctor about it. I hope you find an answer soon!