Guide to Lid and Lash Cleansers
Jan 12, 2021
Eyelid and lash cleansers are important to use on a daily basis to remove excessive amounts of bacteria. We all have bacteria that are normal to live on our lids and lashes. Cleaning your eyelids and lashes is part of the four-step daily practice I recommend to all of my dry eye patients. If you're not sure what I'm referring to, check out this blog here.
The bacteria can become overpopulated on the lids and lashes from many factors like not removing all of our makeup at the end of the day, a change in hormones (pregnancy, birth control, menopause), or even a change in the season of the year.
Using a lid cleanser on a regular basis will keep the bacteria levels down to their normal amounts. This helps to keep the eyelids feeling comfortable and keep the oil glands in your lids flowing.
4 Types of Lid and Lash Cleansers
Just like toothpaste, there are lots of different brands of lid and lash cleansers on the market. There are three different types.
#1) Hypochlorous Acid-Based Spray
The Hypochlorous acid-based spray is an anti-septic spray that is safe enough to use on your lids. It does not irritate the eyes. In fact, hypochlorous acid is the same substance that the white blood cells in our bodies produce to fight off infections.
The antiseptic qualities of the hypochlorous cleanser keep bacteria from becoming overpopulated. The hypochlorous acid spray is very soothing. It can be used as part of your eye care routine just twice a day, or it can be used more often when you need a quick boost in moisture in the middle of the day.
#2) Gel Cleanser
Gel cleansers come in a bottle and can be pumped onto your finger. Once it's on your finger, rub the cleansing gel onto your closed lids and lashes for 20 - 30 seconds.
One of my favorites in this category is Zocular gel. This is a product that comes from okra. It utilizes unique okra-infused Zocusome micelles that gently lift and clear the oil, debris, and residue on your eyelid margins to make your eyes and skin appear more natural and healthy.
The other product I recommend is the Ocusoft HypoChlor gel. This is the same product as the HypoChlor Spray, but it is in a thicker gel.
Whether you use the Zocular or HypoChlor product, you do not have to rinse either of these products off.
#3) Foaming Cleanser
This type of cleanser resembles a foaming hand soap. The foaming cleanser is scrubbed into the lashes for 20 to 30 seconds before rinsing it away. This type of cleanser gets in between the lashes and can help remove built-up debris.
However, because this is a foaming cleanser, it has some soaps in the formulation. Make sure you rinse any of these foaming cleansers off your lids.
You will need to watch out for dryness on your lids if you are using this kind. If you notice your skin becoming dry, you can switch to using the Hypochlorous Acid spray, or use the lid and lash cleanser only once a day.
#4) Lid and Lash Wipes
The final type of cleanser is one that comes on a pad. A prepackaged pad is great to use if you have a lot of scurf or dandruff between your eyelashes. The cleansing pads are great in this instance because they help to pull out the flakey stuff from between your lashes. The pad gives a little bit of grip to pull any dirt, dust, debris, makeup, and pollen out of your lashes and make them feel nice and clean.
Again with this type of cleanser, you will want to leave it on for 20 to 30 seconds before rinsing it away. And, if you notice the skin of your lids getting dry, switch to the Hypochlorous Acid based cleanser or use the pads only once a day.
My Favorites in this category are by Zocular and Eyes are the Story. This type of cleanser is great if you travel a lot or just like to have the wipes on the go because each pad is individually wrapped.
CONCLUSION
Eyelid and lash cleansers are an important part of a daily dry eye treatment regimen. The 4-simple steps I recommend to all of my patients come directly from the TFOS DEWS II report (aka the dry eye treatment manual). Keeping your lids clean and free of bacteria and irritants will go a long way in making your eyes feel more comfortable.
Picking the cleanser that works best with both your skin type and your lifestyle will ensure that you continue to use the cleanser on a daily basis. If you haven't developed your own dry eye treatment regimen yet, please download the guide here to get it to fit into your daily schedule.
