There are many reasons to love summer beauty, but figuring out how to keep sunscreen out of your eyes is not one of them. Hot temperatures usually find us swapping our foundation for a light tinted moisturizer or embracing our hair’s natural texture—but it can also bring the stinging and burning sensation of sunscreen in the eyes. The effects can be particularly bothersome for contact lens wearers.
As for how our sunscreen finds it way to our precious eyeballs? “Our natural sweat and oils can cause sunscreen to migrate from our foreheads into our eyes,” says Rupa Wong, MD, a pediatric ophthalmologist at Honolulu Eye Clinic. “This is especially true for chemical sunscreens, which contain oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate, to name a few.”
Keeping your sunscreen from melting may seem impossible in the heat and humidity, but there are steps you can take to avoid dealing with stinging eyes all season long. Ahead, we spoke with experts and discovered tricks to help keep sunscreen in place. Before you spend time in the sun, here’s how to keep sunscreen out of your eyes, according to a dermatologist and ophthalmologist.
Why do I get sunscreen in my eyes?
Sunscreen usually gets into the eyes from dripping sweat or by rubbing, says Morayo Adisa, MD, FAAD. Formulas that aren’t water-resistant can slide around once your skin gets wet, and rubbing your eyes only compounds the problem. Jumping into water or sweating before your sunscreen has a chance to dry also makes it likely to run.
Dr. Wong adds that chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate have a tendency to run more than mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
How to keep sunscreen out of your eyes
First, you’ll want to use a water-resistant sunscreen and apply it at least 15 minutes before you step out into the heat. You should ensure your sunscreen completely absorbs after application to prevent dripping, says Dr. Adisa.
Dr. Wong agrees: “I advise people to wait a few minutes after applying sunscreens to facilitate absorption before jumping into water or getting excessively sweaty,” she says. “Once the sunscreen has absorbed into your skin, it’s much less likely to migrate down into your eyes.”
The type of product you use is also important. Dr. Adisa confirms sticks are an ideal formulation because they’re less likely to transfer than their liquid counterparts. For oily and combination skin types, a powder SPF like Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Brush-On Shield SPF 50 can help tamp down sweat and oil and keep your sunscreen from melting off. If you’re attached to your liquid or spray formula, though, you can set it with a loose powder to lock it down.
Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 50
Another sure way to keep sunscreen out of your eyes is to apply it only on your nose, cheeks, and chin, and wear a hat and sunglasses to cover your forehead. Regardless of the sunscreen you use, resisting the urge to rub your eyes will keep it from spreading.
How to get sunscreen out of your eyes
If you do get sunscreen in your eyes, don’t rub them. Instead, Dr. Wong says you should rinse your eyes with cool, clean water or artificial tear eye drops. “You do not need to irrigate it out with an irrigating solution, as that usually causes even more irritation,” she adds. “If you experience any redness, pain, or blurred vision, you should see your eye doctor.”
