What’s in Tears and Can Their Composition Affect Your Skin? Exploring the Science Behind Emotional and Reflex Tears

Most of us have experienced moments when tears spill down our cheeks—sometimes from laughter, other times from sadness, irritation, or even chopping onions. But have you ever wondered what exactly tears are made of and whether their composition can actually affect your skin? Let’s dive into the fascinating science behind tears and their potential impact on your complexion.

The Three Types of Tears

Tears aren’t all the same. Scientists categorize them into three types, each with slightly different compositions and purposes:

1. Basal tears: These keep your eyes moist and healthy every day.

2. Reflex tears: These protect your eyes from irritants like smoke, wind, or onions.

3. Emotional tears: These flow when you feel sadness, happiness, frustration, or stress.

All three types share some basic components but differ in concentration depending on their purpose.

What’s Actually in Tears?

Tears are more than just salty water. They’re a complex mixture of:

• Water: The main ingredient, keeping the eye surface hydrated.

• Electrolytes: Like sodium and potassium, giving tears their salty taste.

• Proteins: Such as lysozyme, lactoferrin, and lipocalin, which help protect against bacteria.

• Lipids (fats): Helping to reduce evaporation and keep the tear film stable.

• Mucins: Sticky molecules that help tears spread evenly across the eye.

Interestingly, emotional tears have been found to contain additional hormones and stress-related chemicals, such as ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) and enkephalins, which may help regulate mood.

Can Tears Affect Your Skin?

When tears run down your cheeks, they often leave behind a salty trail. Over time, repeated crying—or even frequent tearing from allergies—can have visible effects on your skin:

• Dryness and irritation: The salt in tears can draw moisture away from your skin, leading to temporary dryness and redness.

• Sensitivity: Rubbing your eyes when you cry can further irritate the delicate skin around them.

• Puffiness: Emotional crying can cause fluid retention under the eyes, making them look swollen.

• Breakouts: Tears themselves don’t cause acne, but wiping tears away with your hands can transfer oil and bacteria, potentially leading to clogged pores.

How to Protect Your Skin When You Cry

While crying is a natural emotional release, you can minimize its impact on your skin with these simple tips:

• Gently pat, don’t rub: Use a clean tissue or cloth to blot tears instead of wiping harshly.

• Hydrate afterward: Apply a soothing moisturizer or hydrating mist to replenish lost moisture.

• Cool compress: To reduce puffiness, place a chilled compress under your eyes for a few minutes.

• Keep your hands clean: This helps prevent transferring bacteria or oil onto your face.

The Takeaway

Tears are a fascinating blend of water, salts, proteins, and even mood-related hormones. While occasional crying is unlikely to cause long-term skin damage, repeated exposure to salty tears—combined with rubbing or wiping—can lead to temporary dryness, redness, and puffiness.

So, next time you find yourself shedding a few tears, remember: it’s perfectly natural—and with a little gentle care afterward, your skin will stay healthy and calm, just like your emotions might feel after a good cry.