What to Do When You Get Sunscreen in Your Eyes

What to Do If You Get Sunscreen in Your Eyes

We all know how important it is to wear sunscreen, but it can be tricky to apply it properly, especially around the sensitive eye area. It's not uncommon for some sunscreen to accidentally get into your eyes while applying it to your face and around your eyes. Getting sunscreen in your eyes can cause stinging, burning, blurry vision, and discomfort. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to alleviate irritation and remove sunscreen from your eyes quickly and safely if any gets inside.

Rinse With Water

The first thing you should do if you get sunscreen in your eyes is rinse them thoroughly with clean, cool water. Splash water directly into your eyes or use an eyewash cup or bottle to flush the eyes. Rinsing will help dilute the sunscreen and wash any residue out of your eyes. Rinse for at least 15-20 seconds to be sure you remove as much sunscreen as possible from the eye area. This should provide some immediate relief from the stinging and discomfort.

Use Eye Drops

After rinsing, use lubricating eye drops to help soothe any remaining irritation. Look for eye drops that contain ingredients like glycerin or polyethylene glycol to coat the eyes, ease burning, and lubricate dryness. Make sure to check the eye drop label to confirm they are suitable for soothing eye irritation and removing particles like sunscreen. Always wash hands before using eye drops and avoid touching the dropper to the eye to prevent contamination.

Take Out Contacts

If you wear contact lenses, remove them right away if you get sunscreen in your eyes. Contact lenses can trap particles against your eyes and make irritation worse. Remove the lenses and clean properly before putting them back in. Give your eyes a break from contacts until they feel better after having sunscreen in them.

Blink Frequently

Blinking helps spread lubricating tears across the surface of the eyes and flush out any remaining particles. Try blinking repeatedly for a few minutes after rinsing your eyes if they still feel irritated. This helps clear out any lingering residue that may be stuck under your eyelids and exacerbating discomfort.

Avoid Rubbing

Rubbing your eyes will only make the situation worse and cause more irritation. No matter how uncomfortable they feel, avoid vigorously rubbing your eyes if you get sunscreen in them. The rubbing action can grind sunscreen particles into your eyes and scratch the delicate cornea. Let tears and rinsing do the work for you.

Preventing Sunscreen in Eyes

While knowing what to do if you get sunscreen in eyes is useful, the best approach is trying to prevent it in the first place. Here are some tips to improve your sunscreen application so you avoid the eye irritation.

Apply Before Eye Makeup

Put on sunscreen as part of your skin prep routine before you apply any makeup around your eyes. Trying to rub sunscreen around eye makeup can lead to smudging and sunscreen getting where it shouldn't. Applying sunscreen first provides a protective base layer.

Use Mineral Sunscreen

Choose a mineral or physical sunscreen rather than a chemical one. Mineral sunscreens use natural ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These tend to be less irritating than chemical sunscreen filters. They are less likely to burn or sting if you do happen to get some particles in your eyes.

Use a Sunscreen Stick

Stick sunscreens make it easy to smoothly apply sunscreen around your eyes without getting any inside them. The solid consistency gives you better control than rubbing in lotions or sprays. Gently glide the stick along the contours around your eyes to protect without risk of drips.

Try a Sunscreen Brush

Alternatively, use a small sunscreen brush designed specifically for use around the eyes. These let you precisely brush on sunscreen around the delicate eye area. Look for rounded, soft bristle brushes that can gently pat sunscreen around eyes.

Don't Apply Too Close

Be cautious not to apply sunscreen too close to the eye itself. Keep application focused on the orbital bone area around the eyes. Avoid rubbing sunscreen directly on the eyelids or underneath eyes. Stay at least 1/4 inch away from the eyes.

Blot Excess

After applying sunscreen to your face and around your eyes, blot gently with a clean tissue. Pressing and blotting removes any extra sunscreen so there is less chance of it migrating into eyes. Just be careful not to rub vigorously.

Use Proper Hand Position

Pay attention to hand placement when applying sunscreen near your eyes. Keep hands below the level of your eyes and work from bottom to top. This prevents sunscreen from dripping downwards into your eyes.

Check Ingredients

Read sunscreen labels and avoid products containing chemicals like oxybenzone near eyes. Ingredients like oxybenzone are more likely to sting and irritate if they make contact with eyes.

Ask For Help

If you really struggle with sunscreen application around your eyes, don't be afraid to ask someone else for help. Having a friend or family member apply the sunscreen around your eyes can ensure it gets on correctly without getting in.

Treating Sunscreen Eye Irritation

If you do end up getting sunscreen in your eyes and need relief, here are some treatment options:

Cold Compress

A cold compress can soothe stinging, irritated eyes after sunscreen exposure. Wet a clean cloth with cold water and hold gently over closed eyes. The cool temperature helps reduce inflammation.

Artificial Tears

If your eyes feel dry and irritated, use a lubricating artificial tear ointment or gel. Make sure it is specifically formulated for eye irritation. This provides longer lasting relief between blinks.

Allergy Eye Drops

Over-the-counter allergy eye drops containing antihistamines can help relieve itching and discomfort from sunscreen irritation. Look for types marked for treatment of eye allergies.

Warm Compress

For sharper irritation, a warm compress may feel better than cold. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water, wring out, and hold over closed eyes for several minutes to reduce pain.

Oral Antihistamine

If your eye irritation includes swelling and systemic allergy symptoms, take an oral antihistamine. Oral antihistamines like Zyrtec or Claritin block the reaction at its source for more complete relief.

Eye Flushing

For very severe reactions with pain, see an eye doctor or emergency care to have your eyes professionally flushed. They can properly irrigate eyes to remove all traces of sunscreen.

Preventing Sun Damage

While dealing with sunscreen eye irritation is inconvenient, don't let it stop you from wearing sunscreen! Exposure to UV rays can lead to eye problems like cataracts and growths on the eye. Protect your eyes from the sun with these tips:

Wear Sunglasses

Don a good pair of UV-blocking sunglasses when outdoors. Make sure they offer full UVA/UVB protection. Wraparound styles help protect eyes from all angles.

Rock a Sun Hat

Wear wide-brimmed hats to shade your eyes and face from overhead sunlight. The brim should be at least 3 inches wide all the way around for ideal coverage.

Sit in the Shade

When possible, sit in shaded areas instead of direct sun. Trees, awnings, umbrellas and other shelters reduce sun exposure to eyes.

Check the UV Index

Consult daily UV index reports before going outside. Plan outdoor time for when the index is lower to minimize radiation reaching your eyes.

Watch Time of Day

Avoid being outdoors during peak sun hours between 10am-2pm when UV rays are strongest. Seek shade and wear eye protection if you must be outside then.

Know When to Seek Care

In most cases, you can treat sunscreen irritation at home. But see an eye doctor right away if you experience:

• Severe pain in the eye
• Vision changes like blurriness
• Redness and swelling of the white part of the eye
• Cloudy or yellow eye discharge
• Increased sensitivity to light

These can be signs of an eye infection, scratch on the cornea, or more serious reaction that requires specialized medical care. Don't take chances with your vision.

Stay Protected and Smart

While getting sunscreen in your eyes is an annoyance, don't reduce proper sun protection for your eyes and skin. Just be careful when applying sunscreen around the eyes. Check the ingredients and use application methods less prone to dripping and running into eyes.

If you do happen to get some in your eyes, rinse right away with water and follow up with drops and compresses. Avoid rubbing and take out contacts. See an eye doctor for any severe irritation, vision changes or symptoms that don't resolve quickly.

With the right prevention and response, sunscreen in the eyes doesn't have to ruin your day in the sun. Stay safe and smart about protecting yourself from UV damage.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.