Skincare for Glasses Wearers: Nose Marks, Oily Pads and Tired Eyes

If you wear glasses every day, you have probably noticed little red marks on the sides of your nose, glasses sliding down on warm days and oily nose pads. Glasses sit on your face for hours, so they deserve a place in your skincare routine.

How glasses affect skin

  • Nose pad marks from pressure on the sides of the nose.
  • Oil and sweat that build up on nose pads and frames.
  • Pressure behind the ears from tight arms.
  • Squinting when your prescription is out of date.
  • Sun on the face when you swap sunglasses for regular glasses outdoors.

Clean your glasses daily

Nose pads and frames touch your skin all day, so oil, sweat and makeup build up on them.

  1. Rinse your glasses under lukewarm water.
  2. Wash the frames and nose pads gently with a drop of mild soap and your fingertips.
  3. Rinse and dry with a clean, soft cloth.
  4. Follow your optician's advice for lens coatings.

Get the fit right

  • Visit your optician if your glasses pinch, slide or leave deep marks. Small adjustments often help.
  • Ask about nose pad options if marks bother you.
  • Keep your prescription up to date so you are not squinting.

Skincare around the glasses area

  • Use a light moisturiser on the nose and let it settle before putting glasses on, so they do not slide.
  • Blot oil on the nose with a tissue during the day.
  • Apply sunscreen to the nose and under the eyes, where glasses do not fully cover.
  • Give your nose a break by taking glasses off for a few minutes when you can, such as during screen breaks.

Tired eyes

  • Follow screen breaks: every 20 minutes, look at something far away for about 20 seconds.
  • Sleep 7 to 8 hours where you can.
  • Drink water through the day.
  • Get regular eye tests.

More tips: screen time habits for skin and dark circles and lifestyle habits.

Makeup and glasses

  • Keep makeup light on the nose, where glasses can rub it off.
  • Let products set before putting glasses on.
  • Clean nose pads more often if you wear foundation.

Do nose pad marks go away?

Many people find light marks fade when glasses are off for a while. If marks are deep, sore or do not fade, ask your optician about fit, and see a doctor about any sore or change in the skin that does not heal.

A plan for your face

The Theraglam Glow Scan turns 3 photos and a short quiz into a personal skin routine with helpful ingredients, a diet and water plan, face massage moves with step-by-step diagrams and a daily to-do list. Your illustrated PDF report comes by email within about 2 hours.

Quick questions

Do sunglasses help my skin? They shade the delicate skin around the eyes and reduce squinting in bright sun. Pair them with sunscreen.

Why do my glasses slide down? Oil on the nose and loose frames are common reasons. Blot, clean the pads and ask your optician to adjust the fit.

Start my Glow Scan: 3 photos and a short quiz become your personal skin, diet and face massage plan, sent by email within about 2 hours. Rs 599, one time.

Glow Scan and this article give skincare and lifestyle guidance, not medical advice. For a skin or health condition, please see a doctor or dermatologist.

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