From the Guidelines
Baby soap can be used on eyelids, but it's crucial to use a diluted form of a mild, tear-free baby shampoo, as recommended by eye doctors for cleaning eyelids affected by conditions like blepharitis. According to the blepharitis preferred practice pattern 1, eyelid cleansing can be safely accomplished by having the patient gently rub the base of the eyelashes using either diluted baby shampoo or commercially available eyelid cleaner on a pad, cotton ball, cotton swab, or clean fingertip. To clean your eyelids, mix a small amount of baby shampoo with warm water until it's very dilute, then use a clean washcloth or cotton ball to gently wipe the eyelid margins. Some key points to consider when cleaning your eyelids include:
- Always rinse thoroughly with clean water afterward to remove any soap residue, as leftover soap can irritate the eyes 1.
- Be extremely gentle when cleaning around the eyes to avoid scratching the cornea.
- If you have an eye infection, persistent irritation, or other eye conditions, consult an eye doctor before attempting to clean your eyelids yourself, as they may recommend specific commercial eyelid cleansers or medicated solutions that are specifically formulated for eye care 1. It's also important to note that frequent manipulation of the eyelid may lead to adverse effects, and proper counseling of patients with neurotrophic corneas is important in order to avoid injury to corneal epithelium 1.
From the Research
Safety of Using Baby Soap on Eyelids
- The use of baby soap on eyelids has been studied in various contexts, including as a preoperative cleansing agent and for eyelid hygiene in patients with blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction 2, 3, 4.
- A study published in 2018 found that baby shampoo was effective in reducing eyelid skin bacterial load, achieving comparable results to povidone-iodine or isopropyl alcohol 2.
- Another study from 2013 compared the efficacy of baby shampoo and a phospholipid-liposome solution for lid margin hygiene in symptomatic contact lens wearers with blepharitis, and found that while both treatments improved symptoms, the phospholipid-liposome solution yielded greater clinical benefits 3.
- A 2020 randomized controlled trial found that baby shampoo and a commercial eyelid cleanser had similar efficacy in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction, with both treatments improving symptoms and reducing eye irritability 4.
- It is worth noting that baby soap is generally considered mild and safe for use on sensitive skin, including the skin of newborn babies 5, 6.
- However, it is always important to follow proper usage instructions and to be gentle when cleaning the eyelids to avoid irritation or injury.
Key Findings
- Baby soap can be effective in reducing bacterial load on the eyelids 2.
- Baby soap may be less effective than other treatments, such as phospholipid-liposome solutions, for certain conditions like blepharitis 3.
- Baby soap is generally considered safe for use on sensitive skin, including the skin of newborn babies 5, 6.
- Proper usage and gentle cleaning are important to avoid irritation or injury to the eyelids.