5 reasons why your eyelids need special care

Oh eyelids, how precious they are -- so treat them with the special care they deserve!

Read below to learn why.

1. The eyelid skin's epidermis is only 4-5 cell layers thick, making it the thinnest epidermis at just 0.05mm thick.

The stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epithelium, is only 4-5 cell layers thick.

This is one of the reasons the eyelid skin barrier function is weak.

2. Eyelid skin contains significantly less sebaceous glands compared to the cheek.

Because of this, significantly less lipids are produced in the eyelid skin.

This unfortunately is the other reason why the eyelid skin's barrier function is so vulnerable.

3. When you compare the transepidermal water loss of the eyelid to the cheeks, it is less but not significantly less. 

This is because the eyelid skin contains large corneocytes.

4. The corneocytes in the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the epithelium) are much much larger in the eyelid skin, than the cheeks.

This is because there is less cell turnover in the skin cells of the eyelids, so the corneocytes are reaching maturation.

This helps the eyelid skin to retain water so that it can remain flexible. 

5. When you compare the eyelid skin's blood flow to the cheek or nose, it's significantly higher.

Because of the increased vasculature of the under-eye area, this is why this area is more prone to getting puffy and/or dark circles.

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Phew that was a mouthful but your eyelids are thankful! 

XO, Dr. Nicky, Founder of You & Eye and your "chief eye officer"