How to Clean Eyelids

Co-authored by Mark Cannon, OD and Kyle Hall

Last Updated: July 30, 2024 References

Keeping your eyelids clean can prevent bacterial build up and lessen the symptoms of blepharitis.^{[1]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

Go to source} You can keep your eyelids clean by washing them daily with a gentle cleaning solution. You should also properly remove your eye makeup at the end of every day if you wear it. Whenever you clean your eyelids, make sure you're gentle so you don't cause any damage.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cleaning Your Eyelids with a Solution

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Washing your hands makes sure they are clean and prepared to come in contact with the delicate area around the eye. Be sure to use warm water and an antibacterial soap on your hands before any time you plan on touching your eyes.^{[2]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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Make a cleaning solution with warm water and mild baby shampoo. Fill a glass with 2–3 fluid ounces (59–89 ml) of warm water. Add 3 drops of baby shampoo to the water. Stir the water and shampoo thoroughly with a spoon.^{[3]
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- Don’t feel like making your own cleaning solution? Look for a premade eyelid-cleaning solution like Sterilid, Cetaphil, or Ocusoft at your local drug store.
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Massage the solution into your eyelids using a cotton ball. Keep your eyes closed so the cotton ball doesn’t irritate them. Gently rub the cotton ball back and forth across each eyelid for 15-30 seconds.^{[4]
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- If you don’t have cotton balls, use a cloth or lint-free gauze pad or washcloth instead.
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Use a cotton swab to brush away any flakes on your eyelids. Dip the cotton swab in the cleaning solution and gently brush it back and forth across the surface of your eyelids. Spend 30 seconds brushing each eyelid with the cotton swab, making sure to get the lash line and lid margin.^{[5]
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- Be sure to use a different cotton swab for each eye.
- Use a magnifying mirror for this step so you can see the tiny flakes on your eyelids.
Lower your face over a sink and use your hands to bring cold water to your eyelids. After you’ve rinsed all the solution off your eyelids, pat them dry with a towel.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Taking Makeup off Your Eyelids

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1
Use an oil-based remover if your eye makeup is waterproof. An oil-based remover will make it easier to take off your eye makeup so you don’t have to scrub as hard. If you’re not wearing waterproof eye makeup, any kind of eye-makeup remover will work.^{[6]
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- You can find oil-based remover online or at your local drug store.
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Apply your eye-makeup remover to your eyelids with a cotton pad. Hold the soaked cotton pad over your eyelids for 10 seconds. This will allow the remover to dissolve your eye makeup, which will make it easier to get off.^{[7]
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- To save yourself time, look for cotton pads that are pre-soaked in eye-makeup remover.
- Use a different cotton pad for each eye.
Don’t use an aggressive scrubbing motion or you could pull out eyelashes and damage the skin around your eyelids. Just gently bring the cotton pad across the surface of your eyelids.
Start at the inside corner of your eye and work your way to the outside corner. Use a gentle wiping motion as you bring the cotton pad down over both your upper and lower eyelids. Avoid rubbing back and forth across your eyelids so you don’t damage the skin around them.
Wet your face and gently work the face wash into your skin with your hands. Gently rub the face wash over your eyelids to remove the eye-makeup remover you used.

Expert Q&A

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How often should you wash your eyelids?

Mark Cannon, OD
Board Certified Optometrist
Dr. Mark Cannon is an Optometrist and Chief of Optometry at Cannon Eyecare, a family-owned optometry practice in Seattle, Washington. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Cannon specializes in ocular disease, dry eye, glaucoma, eye infection, contact lens fitting, and pediatrics. Dr. Cannon holds a BS in Biology and Psychology from Indiana University. He received his Doctorate in Optometry from Indiana University School of Optometry, where he earned the Dean's Scholar award and participated in years of ophthalmic research. Dr. Cannon worked as an optometrist for four years before founding Cannon Eyecare, which offers full-scope medical optometry services. Dr. Cannon is a member of the American Optometric Association, King County Optometric Society, and the Optometric Physicians of Washington.

Mark Cannon, OD

Board Certified Optometrist

Expert Answer

Keeping your eyelids clean is crucial to maintaining your long-term eye health and comfort. When you take a shower, soap up your lids and lashes with a mild soap. Let it sit on the outside of your eyes for 20-30 seconds, then rinse it off. That's typically all you'll need.

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Tips

Things You’ll Need

Cleaning Your Eyelids with a Solution

Mild baby shampoo (or premade eye-cleaning solution)
Cotton ball
Cotton swab

Taking Makeup off Your Eyelids

Eye-makeup remover
Cotton pad
Face wash

Tips

Keep your eyes clean by washing your lids, lashes, and brows every time you take a shower. Any mild soap will do—Dove, Oil of Olay, Neutrogena, and Cetaphil are good options. Just let the soap sit on the outside of your eyes for 20-30 seconds, then rinse it off.^{[8]
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Mark Cannon, OD
Board Certified Optometrist

Expert Interview. 14 August 2020.}

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Try to keep your hands away from your eye area as much as possible unless you are cleaning the area or applying makeup.

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Keep your eyes clean by washing your lids, lashes, and brows every time you take a shower. Any mild soap will do—Dove, Oil of Olay, Neutrogena, and Cetaphil are good options. Just let the soap sit on the outside of your eyes for 20-30 seconds, then rinse it off.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Mark Cannon, OD
Board Certified Optometrist

Expert Interview. 14 August 2020.}

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Warnings

If you feel severe itching or pain in your eye after washing it, you should seek immediate medical help.

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If you see any pus or drainage from your eye, or if you develop a thick green or yellow crust you may have an eye infection. Call your ophthalmologist or go to urgent care to get immediate medical assistance.

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