Why does Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun sting my eyes?

Is the sunscreen getting into your eyes?

Sunscreen can drip into your eyes. A sunscreen stick is an option for the surrounding skin because it helps prevent dripping. Choose one with SPF 30 or higher, protection against both UVA and UVB, and water resistance. Keep sunscreen out of the eyes themselves, whatever format you use. SPF describes sun protection, not a formula's qualifications for working next to your eyes.14

Or is the skin on your eyelids reacting?

Eyelid skin is thin and particularly sensitive to irritants. A product can trigger a reaction there without causing a rash elsewhere on your face. Contact dermatitis, an inflamed skin reaction to something touching the skin, can cause itching, stinging, burning, redness, scaling or swelling. Sunscreen is one possible trigger, and rubbing can transfer products from your fingers to your eyelids.2

Irritation and allergy are different possibilities, but their appearance can be similar. Irritant eyelid reactions are more common with sensitive skin, eczema or existing inflammation. Allergy can develop after repeated use of a previously tolerated product, with a rash appearing one to several days after contact. Having used the same tube comfortably before does not rule out a later allergy.2

What should you change?

1. 1Stop applying the suspected product to affected eyelid skin. If a rash clears after stopping, that helps identify the trigger.
2. 2If your eyelids are irritated, avoid rubbing or scratching. Touch them only with clean, rinsed hands, wash with plain water or a cream cleanser designed for sensitive skin, and leave off eyelid cosmetics while the rash is active.
3. 3For skin that stings or burns when sunscreen is applied, try a fragrance free sunscreen whose filters are only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. For dripping into the eyes, consider a sunscreen stick around the eyes.
4. 4Keep protecting exposed skin with a sunscreen you tolerate. Apply before sun exposure, avoid the eyes and mouth, and reapply at least every two hours or more often when swimming or sweating.

Mineral filters also protect skin primarily by absorbing ultraviolet radiation. Switching filters changes the formula you are trying; it does not change the need for sun protection. The sunscreen aisle offers plenty of formats, but your eyelids do not owe any of them brand loyalty.15

When should you see a dermatologist?

See a dermatologist if an eyelid rash persists or keeps returning and avoiding the suspected product does not resolve it. Other skincare, makeup and substances transferred from your hands can be responsible too. Bring details of what touches the area rather than assuming sunscreen is the only suspect. Patch testing can help identify an allergic trigger; it is different from simply trying a product on a small patch of skin.23