Wondering how to get rid of puffy eyes? We get it. Whether you overindulged on a night out, or had a good cry the night before, waking up with puffy eyes is never ideal – especially when you have an important event the day of. As such, how to get rid of puffy eyes is one of the most-searched beauty concerns, but knowing what can help with puffy eye relief is another matter altogether.
Some of the best skincare devices and eye creams can certainly combat puffy eyes. Don’t have the time or budget to invest in pricey tools or skincare? Luckily, there are plenty of at-home remedies that can reduce under eye puffiness naturally.
- What causes puffy eyes?
- How to reduce under eye puffiness naturally
- The best products that help to decrease puffy eyes
- What causes puffy eyes in the morning?
- What's the difference between remedies for puffy eyes and dark circles?
- Does lack of sleep cause puffy eyes?
- What foods to avoid for puffy eyes
- Any quick fixes for puffy eyes before an event?
- What's better for puffy eyes: cold compress or warm compress?
The best buys for getting rid of puffy eyes
What causes puffy eyes?
As for what causes swelling? Essentially, puffy under eyes are the result of excess fluid retention in the layers of skin and connective tissue around your eye area. Board-certified internal medicine physician Zion Ko Lamm, says it can be caused by a combination of factors. “It's part of a complex cycle involving inflammation, fluid retention, and compromised lymphatic drainage,” she says. “Consider it as akin to facial bloating, where stagnant fluid predominantly consists of waste.”
Cosmetic dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, specifically cites “alcohol, a high-sodium diet, not sleeping, or general stress as a whole” as the leading causes because your body then tries to store as much water as possible in response. Hayfever is another trigger as you body releases histamine, which can cause inflammation.
How to reduce under eye puffiness naturally
Sleeping on your back, with your head slightly elevated, will help to keep the circulation moving freely around your body and prevent fluid from pooling under the eyes.
One of the oldest tricks in the book for how to decrease puffy eyes is a cold-spoon massage. “A cold-spoon massage is one of the most simple and efficient treatments to reduce puffiness,” says Olga Skydan, a skincare expert and beautician at Luvly Face Yoga. “The coolness of the metal constricts blood vessels, reducing edema and puffiness.”
Simply take two clean metal spoons and place them in the freezer for a few minutes. Once they’re chilled, gently press them to the under-eye area. “Using light movements, move the spoons from the middle of the face outward,” says Olga. “Repeat each movement give times to improve lymph drainage.”
If cold spoons aren’t quite cutting it, you can intensify the cooling effect with ice packs or — in a pinch — ice cubes for puffy eye relief. “An ice pack can work wonders to reduce puffiness,” says Olga. “The cold helps to constrict blood vessels, alleviate swelling, and make your face feel more toned and refreshed.”
Gel ice packs are most gentle on skin, but Olga has an easy alternative. “Simply wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth or use a gel ice pack, and apply it gently to the areas where you’re feeling puffy, like under the eyes, along your jawline, and around the cheeks,” she says. “Hold it for about 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring you don’t apply direct ice to your skin.”
“This type of facial massage works by encouraging the movement of fluids away from areas where they accumulate, like your cheeks and undereye area,” says Olga. For smooth movements, you’ll want to apply a lubricant like your favourite face oil or moisturiser.
“To do a lymphatic massage, place your fingers gently on the centre of your face, near your nose, and move them outward toward your temples and down along your jawline.” Repeat the outward motion for three to five minutes. Don’t apply too much pressure — otherwise you could irritate your skin even further.
Facial massage and lymphatic drainage has levelled up my skin.
Indulging in alcohol or high-sodium foods can cause dehydration and make your body hold onto extra fluids, which in return leads to puffiness. “Hydration can get you back on track but you have to do more than just water,” says Olga.
She recommends drinking herbal teas like dandelion or ginger. “These have natural diuretic properties and help flush out excess fluid,” Olga says. “Electrolyte-infused water is a good option as well because it rehydrates your body while balancing your sodium and potassium levels, which can help reduce water retention.”
Yes, you can drink too much water.
The best products that help to decrease puffy eyes
Under eye patches made of hydrogel feel cool to the touch. But they also help to take down puffiness by constricting blood vessels and infusing the skin with ingredients like caffeine to boost circulation and flush out excess fluid.
Cryotherapy-inspired tool, including ice globes, rely on cold temperatures to take down swelling and kickstart the circulation. “More nutrient-rich blood means toxins are flushed away and water retention is reduced, leaving skin looking plumper and more radiant within a matter of minutes," says Ada Ooi, facialist and founder of 001 Skincare.
The 001 Skincare Cryopress Ice Facial Massager sustains a temperature of -8 to 2.5°C, so it’s always poised to deflate early morning eye puff, while the 111Skin Cryo Sculpting Globes have an ergonomic shape to comfortably cup the under-eye area.
Caffeine doesn't just help us to feel more awake, it can help us look more awake, too. When applied to skin via an eye cream, caffeine encourages vasoconstriction – constricting of the blood vessels under our eyes – which can lead to a reduction in inflammation, puffiness and dark circles. Pair that with an instantly cooling gel formula or metal tip and you're onto a winner.
A good option is Charlotte Tilbury's Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum, which features an IceAwake complex (made with Swiss glacial soil and Swiss ice wine essence), caffeine and a skin-chilling metal tip that allows you to massage and de-puff the eye contour. Or try Innisfree's Green Tea Caffeine Bright-Eye Serum, which hydrates, soothes and lifts.
“Sometimes all your skin needs is a little pick-me-up, and a good face mist can do just that,” says Olga. “A refreshing spritz of face mist not only hydrates your skin but can also help to cool down any redness or puffiness caused by overindulgence.”
Olga recommends mists with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber or rose water, which calm the skin and reduce swelling. “Keep it in the fridge for an additional cooling effect, then lightly mist your face throughout the day for instant relief and refreshed skin,” she says.
What causes puffy eyes in the morning?
- Fluid retention
- Inflammation
- Compromised lymphatic drainage
- Alcohol
- High-salt diet
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Allergies
What's the difference between remedies for puffy eyes and dark circles?
Puffy eyes are caused by excess fluid, while one of the main reasons dark circles show up under our eyes is a loss of volume, which happens naturally as we age and results in more pronounced tear troughs.
Too much screen time can also exacerbate dark circles. “Eyes tend to blink less when we're in front of a computer screen,” says oculoplastic surgeon Dr Maryam Zamani. “This causes dryness and the blood vessels in the skin to dilate, creating a dark shadow around the eyes.”
Does lack of sleep cause puffy eyes?
Yes, lack of sleep can cause puffy eyes. When you don't get enough shut-eye, the body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which can cause you to hang on to more fluid.
What foods to avoid for puffy eyes
Limit your intake of salty foods (think fries, sushi and soy sauce), fast food and processed meats at night. Also limit your alcohol consumption as it can cause dehydration and inflammation.
Any quick fixes for puffy eyes before an event?
- Cold spoons, icepacks and ice cubes wrapped in a clean cloth.
- Drinking herbal teas like dandelion or ginger as they have natural diuretic properties to help flush out excess fluid.
- Caffeine-infused eye creams - better still, store them in the refrigerator.
- Cooling under-eye patches.
Cold compress vs warm compress for puffy eyes
A cold compress will take down swelling and kickstart the circulation. A warm compress helps with eye conditions such as conjunctivitis.
A version of this article originally appeared on GLAMOUR (US).
