Eyelids matter – proper eyelid hygiene for healthy eyes

Eye care often involves focusing on the eyes themselves. Yet, the delicate eyelids—exquisite, protective flaps of skin—deserve equal attention.

How important are the eyelids, and how does one take care of these layers?

Why are Eyelids important?

The eyelids are the only external skin layer with no fat underneath. That makes the eyelids the thinnest skin on the human body, measuring just 0.5mm thick. [1] Fragile, but versatile and crucial! [2]

• Maintaining moisture: when awake, blinking spreads the tear film across the eyes, moisturizing the eye surface. During sleep, the eyelids cover and prevent tear evaporation.

• Shielding the eyes: the eyelids protect the eyes against excessive light and external dangers and irritants. 

• Facilitating tear secretion: blinking gently squeezes the tear glands in the eyelids and disperses the tear film evenly across the eye surface.

The eyelids don’t work alone. They work as a team with the eyelashes and eyelid margins.

In fact, the upper eyelid has 90 to 160 lashes in five to six rows, and the lower eyelid contains 75 to 80 lashes in three to four rows. These soft, sweeping strands of the lashes help trap foreign particles like dust and allergens. [3]

Did you know that the eyelid margins move with the ocular surface and eyelids? This enables the inner lid margins to act as a static damn, limiting the tear lake (meniscus) and preventing spill over, while the outer lid margins aid in spreading the oily layer of the tear film. [4]

So, it all comes down to the eyelids, lashes, and eyelid margins being an integral part of maintaining the tear film and eye health. This is why maintaining proper lid hygiene is essential for supporting eye health and preventing potential issues.

Caring for Healthy Eyelids

Regular cleansing of the lashes, eyelids, and eyelid margins helps prevent the buildup of dirt, debris, and allergens that may disrupt the eyelid glands and lead to discomfort.

Conditions such as blepharitis—characterized by red, swollen, and itchy eyelids—may arise and cause inflammation. [5] Similarly, conjunctivitis (known as pink eye) may present with discharge and irritation. [6] Ocular rosacea, another inflammatory condition, might develop with redness. [7] Poor eyelid hygiene may interfere with the tear film balance and even contribute to dry eye symptoms like dryness, watery eyes, and foreign body sensation. [8]

Proper eyelid hygiene is essential. But with numerous products available, choosing the right treatment may feel tricky. Here are some key features to look for in eyelid hygiene treatments.

Soap-free formulations

Soap is great at removing the oily bits for cleaning—grease from cooking or excessive oil on our faces. But sometimes in the human body, especially in our eyes, oil plays an important role and should not be removed. On the contrary, it should be protected.

The lipid layer of the tear film prevents excessive evaporation of tears. [9] When soap meets the tear film, stinging and burning sensations may be observed. A signal that the soap is stripping the essential oily layer away! 

A soap-free lid hygiene treatment ensures the eyes are free of debris without causing stinging and burning sensations.

Liposomal suspension

Liposomal suspensions may be beneficial, particularly for dry eye patients. Liposomes are similar to the natural fatty oils of the tear film. While cleansing the eyelids effectively, the liposomes may strengthen the tear film, preventing excessive tear evaporation.

CALMO® Lid Care is a liposomal suspension for daily care and hygiene of the lashes, eyelids, and eyelid margins. Soap-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free CALMO® Lid Care is suitable for sensitive skin and ideal for removing ocular debris and makeup. Now available in two pack sizes—70mL and 30mL—CALMO® Lid Care provides feel-good eyelid care for both loyal users and acute treatment. Say bye to stinging and burning eyelid hygiene!

Sterile wipes

The delicate, sensitive skin around the eyes may require exceptional care. Using sterile wipes contributes to eyelid health by keeping the area clean and free from potential contaminants.

Individually wrapped, sterile NACLINO™ Lid Wipes provide gentle yet effective cleaning of the lashes, eyelids, and eyelid margins. NACLINO™ Lid Wipes are saline only, soap free, and preservative free, suitable for delicate makeup removal and keeping the eyelids clean and moist before and after ophthalmic surgeries. They are also easy to carry—in a bag, purse, or pocket for an on-the-go use!

Curious how to use CALMO® Lid Care / NACLINO™ Lid Wipes? Click here to start your daily lid hygiene journey the right way!

Find CALMO® Lid Care 30mL/70mL and NACLINO™ Lid Wipes Canada-wide at your local optometry and ophthalmology clinics or pharmacies, behind the counter. 

Should you have any concerns about your health or eye health, please consult with your health professional for medical assistance.

CandorVision™ — Your eyes are everything!

References 

1. Khanna S, Phelps PO. The basics of baggy eyelids. Dis Mon. 2020 Oct;66(10):101037. doi: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2020.101037. Epub 2020 Jul 1. PMID: 32622676. 

2. Rucker JC. Normal and abnormal lid function. Handb Clin Neurol. 2011;102:403-24. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-52903-9.00021-2. PMID: 21601075. 

3. Patel BC, Lopez MJ, Joos ZP. Anatomy, Head and Neck: Eyelash. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537278/

4. Aumond S, Bitton E. The eyelash follicle features and anomalies: A review. J Optom. 2018 Oct-Dec;11(4):211-222. doi: 10.1016/j.optom.2018.05.003. Epub 2018 Jul 17. PMID: 30017866; PMCID: PMC6147748. 

5. East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. Blepharitis and Lid Hygiene [Internet]. East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust; [cited 2025 Jan 14]. Available from: https://www.esht.nhs.uk/leaflet/blepharitis-and-eyelid-hygiene/. 

6. East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust [Internet]. Conjunctivitis (Bacterial and Viral). East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust; [cited 2025 Jan 14]. Available from: https://www.esht.nhs.uk/leaflet/conjunctivitis-bacterial-and-viral-0869/. 

7. Boyd K. Ocular Rosacea [Internet]. American Academy of Ophthalmology; 2024 [cited 2025 Jan 14]. Available from: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/ocular-rosacea-facts 

8. Jones L, Downie LE, Korb D, Benitez-Del-Castillo JM, Dana R, Deng SX, Dong PN, Geerling G, Hida RY, Liu Y, Seo KY, Tauber J, Wakamatsu TH, Xu J, Wolffsohn JS, Craig JP. TFOS DEWS II Management and Therapy Report. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):575-628. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.006. Epub 2017 Jul 20. PMID: 28736343. 

9. Willcox MDP, Argüeso P, Georgiev GA, Holopainen JM, Laurie GW, Millar TJ, Papas EB, Rolland JP, Schmidt TA, Stahl U, Suarez T, Subbaraman LN, Uçakhan OÖ, Jones L. TFOS DEWS II Tear Film Report. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):366-403. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2017.03.006. Epub 2017 Jul 20. PMID: 28736338; PMCID: PMC6035753.