The human eye

Why Are My Eyes So Dry After I Shower?

 
Sara
By Sara . Updated: November 30, 2025
Why Are My Eyes So Dry After I Shower?
Already following us? Mark us as a preferred source
Add us on Google

Showering daily is a very important activity for a healthy and clean body, but sometimes our body reacts differently than other people after taking a shower. For some people, a hot shower is soothing and relaxing, while for others, it causes dry flaky skin and dry itchy eyes. If you want to answer the question why are my eyes so dry after I shower? then keep reading this oneHOWTO article.

You may also be interested in: How to Stop Falling Asleep at Work
Contents
  1. Chlorine
  2. Soap
  3. Splashing Water
  4. Blow Drying
  5. Winter

Chlorine

Chlorine is added to water to kill germs and disease-causing pathogens. It is commonly found in public places such as swimming pools. The water supplied to our homes also contains chlorine. For some people, showering in chlorine-laden water causes dry red eyes. If you think this is the cause of your dry eyes, try installing filters that reduce chlorine content in the water. Additionally, consider using a showerhead with a built-in filter specifically designed to neutralize chlorine. Moreover, using bottled or purified water to rinse your face might help alleviate the issue.

Soap

Sometimes, the soaps used during the shower may be the real cause of dry eyes. Soap contains many chemical ingredients as well as sometimes irritation-inducing fragrances. If the soap lather comes directly in contact with your eyes, it will cause dryness as it upsets the tear balance. In such cases, using hypoallergenic shampoo/soap or completely eliminating soap proves to be the best solution. Also, try changing the soap to find out whether or not your eye is allergic to a particular brand of soap. It is advisable to perform a patch test with new products to ensure they do not provoke a reaction.

Why Are My Eyes So Dry After I Shower? - Soap

Splashing Water

During a shower, we splash our face and eyes with water to clean them. Even ophthalmologists advise people to splash their eyes with water. However, for some people, this is the actual cause of dry eyes. Even if you do not splash water directly into your eyes, some droplets are bound to get into them. So, try using swimming goggles while showering to prevent water from entering your eyes. You can also put in eye drops before, during, or after a shower to prevent your eyes from drying out. In addition, ensuring the water temperature is lukewarm rather than hot can help minimize irritation.

Why Are My Eyes So Dry After I Shower? - Splashing Water

Blow Drying

After coming out of the shower, most people with long hair need to blow dry it. If you are one of them and you are having a dry eye problem, then the culprit may be the air coming out of the blow dryer. Skip blow drying for a few days after coming out of the shower. If the eye does not become dry, then you have found your solution. If it still becomes dry, then you must consider the other possibilities and visit your ophthalmologist. Alternatively, using a cool setting on the blow dryer or air drying your hair might reduce irritation. It's also beneficial to avoid directing the dryer air towards your face.

Winter

One of the biggest causes of dry eyes is unfortunately something we cannot control - the weather. Winter air is often very dry due to the lack of humidity. Some people get dry red eyes after showering only during the winter season. If this is the case with you, then visit your ophthalmologist, and they will prescribe some cold products to soothe your eyes. Additionally, using a humidifier in your home can help maintain moisture levels in the air, potentially reducing dryness. It should be noted that keeping hydrated by drinking sufficient water can also aid in alleviating dry eye symptoms during colder months.

Why Are My Eyes So Dry After I Shower? - Winter
Image: istockphoto

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Why Are My Eyes So Dry After I Shower?, we recommend you visit our Family health category.

Related articles
Write a comment
What did you think of this article?
Image: istockphoto
1 of 4
Why Are My Eyes So Dry After I Shower?