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Dry Eye

5 Skincare Products That Might Make Dry Eye Worse

Certain products may worsen dry eye symptoms or increase the risk of eye infections.

Lauren Smith, MABrian Clista, MD
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Brian Clista, MD
Updated on July 3, 2025
Reviewed by Brian Clista, MD | July 3, 2025

If you have chronic dry eye, it may be helpful to consider what products you apply to your skin (and how). 

Certain products may worsen dry eye symptoms by affecting the quality of your tears. Other products may carry the risk of bacterial infections, and people with dry eye already have an increased risk of eye infections.

References

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Brian Clista, MD
Reviewed by:
Brian Clista, MD
Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

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