Different Types of Eyelid Wipes

For some of us, a heated eye mask is all we need to help alleviate our dry eye and blepharitis symptoms. For others, (like myself) we require additional forms of treatment like prescribed eye drops and/or eyelid cleaning wipes.

Cleaning our eyes isn’t something we think about very often. We clean our bodies, we wash our hair and brush our teeth but our eyes sometimes don’t get the attention they need or better yet, deserve. 

Eyelid cleaning wipes are a common product sold at local pharmacies and a lot of eye care professionals suggest using them in part of your eye cleaning routine to help remove debris from your eyelash margins. Most of them are preservative-free and hypoallergenic which makes them safe to use. 

Here are a few of the most popular eyelid cleansing wipes and solutions on the market that I have tried over the years.

Baby Shampoo

Diluted baby shampoo paved the way for a lot of over-the-counter eyelid wipes and solutions we see today. A DIY at-home mixology that really does clean the lids pretty well, and in the absence of something better, it's not a bad choice and an affordable one too.

To this day, ophthalmologists still recommend this solution to their patients. I guess some old habits die hard - plus it's as easy as mixing in a couple of drops  into a half glass of room temperature water, grabbing a cotton swab or washcloth and dipping it into the liquid. The potential long term problem however, is the fact that you are washing your eyes with a detergent which can be harmful to your tear film. A study was conducted by the National Library of Medicine that was published in 2018 basically stating baby shampoo really isn’t the smartest choice for your overall eye health.

Systane Wipes

You might have heard of or even seen Systane eyelid cleansing wipes before if you've walked through the eye care aisle in your local pharmacy.

They are made by the pharmaceutical company Alcon, which specializes in eye care products. Systane Wipes are formulated with a gentle, preservative-free solution that is safe for use around the eyes. They are designed to be used on the eyelids and the skin around the eyes to help relieve symptoms of dry eye, such as itching, burning, and redness. Systane Wipes are available without a prescription and can be purchased at many drugstores and online retailers. They come with 30 wipes per box and go for about $13.

A pre-moistened eyelid cleansing wipes for daily deep-clean regimens. My personal favorite. Soothing, no stinging, and the wipes are very soapy leaving my eyes feeling very refreshed. Using only one is more than enough to wipe and clean both eyes. 

Cliradex Wipes

Did you know little parasites called Demodex can live along your eyelash line? Thankfully, Cliradex was developed and formulated to help combat these nasty critters. These wipes contain a higher concentration of T4O, the main component of tea tree oil that helps eliminate Demodex mites. 

They can also help reduce the bacteria and debris that can accumulate on the eyelids, which can contribute to the development and worsening of blepharitis symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itchiness. However, it does come at a price, literally. A box of only 24 will cost you between 45-50$ dollars. If you want to test them out you can try cutting the wipes in half to help save on money. Also, be prepared to feel some harsh stinging which can last several minutes. 

If your doctor has asked you to start lid hygiene, just remember there are products that are specifically designed for this purpose.

Happy Cleaning!