[SKIN CONCERNS] Dry and Puffy Eyelids from Benzoyl Peroxide
Back in the middle of last month, my eyes got swollen from my acne medication spreading to my lower and upper eyelids areas. My doctor had prescribed Taro-Adapalene 0.1% and Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% and instructed that I apply this gel all over my face (my acne was terrible cystic acne at the start of the year). I know that this was not an allergic reaction since I've been using it since January 2020 without any problems. Although my doctor told me to apply moisturizer after letting the gel settle for 5-10 min, I avoided this, since a couple of years back I had woken up to swollen eyes from this routine. However, at that time, I decided to stop the benzoyl peroxide gel for 3 days and just apply Vaseline to my face, and my eyelids were back to normal.
This time around, I freaked out and talked to my doctor, who had prescribed Fucidin H Cream (Fusidic Acid 2% and Hydrocortisone Acetate 1%) to be applied to my lower and upper eyelids twice a day until the swelling went down. Eventually, it did, but some days it would be back, even though I had stopped my benzoyl peroxide application for the time being.
Fast forward to today, my eyes still swell (not drastically, but still visible and dry) here and there when I wake up, even though I had stopped my benzoyl peroxide gel and the Fucidin cream for 4 days and just applied Vaseline to my face. I talked to my doctor once again about how it comes back only somedays, and she said it's not an allergic reaction and that any skin moisturizer/cream will be fine. I even picked up Eau Thermale Avene's Soothing Eye Contour Cream which targets skin irritation, tightness, and dryness! STILL NOTHING! I find that applying a GREAT AMOUNT of Vaseline on my eyelids helps, but the dryness and puffiness of eyes when I wake up is still there. I'm sure it's not eczema level dryness, but it's itchy and the eyelids are red! I've been cautious of not letting anything else near my face (I don't put moisturizer after the application anymore), but I can't avoid benzoyl peroxide altogether! From stopping the application for 4 days, I've already gotten 3 bad cystic acne which was painful to sleep on.
In case my skincare routine is needed:
AM:
Cleanse: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Serum: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Moisturizer: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Normal to Dry Skin
NOTE: I make sure that the last two products don't go anywhere near my eye area.
After Shower:
Moisturizer: Nivea Cream (the kind in the tin container); I heard this helped some people with eyelid dermatitis conditions
PM:
Cleanse: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Acne Treatment: Taro-Adapalene 0.1% and Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
Lower and Upper Eyelids: Vaseline
I'M SO SORRY FOR THIS LONG POST, but I hope that if anyone had any experience with benzoyl peroxide and dry eyelids can help me out!! I'm tired of spending money on a bunch of products to combat this problem, so is there anything I can do at home to help this? Or any natural remedies like oils? (Coconut oil was a no go for me!) Please let me know!