No matter how healthy or committed to self care we are, most of us have had to deal with a set of seriously puffy eyes from time to time.
It’s hard to avoid the occasional bout of insomnia, indulgence in salty snacks, or bawl-your-eyes-out movies — all of which can leave your eyes looking swollen and tired.
So if you’re wondering how to get rid of puffy eyes or reduce puffy eyes — keep reading, or check out the video below. We’ve got the tips and tricks you need for brighter, more refreshed peepers.
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: In addition to using a good eye cream, there are lifestyle changes you can make to help minimize and prevent the look of puffy eyes, like getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water.
Good to Know: The most common cause of puffy eyes is fluid retention, which can be due to a lack of exercise, too much salt, lack of sleep, and smoking.
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What Causes Puffy Eyes?
Putting aside any medical issues or specific allergies (always check with your doc first!) — temporarily puffy eyes can be caused by an array of different factors, most of which involve lifestyle choices.
Fluid retention is usually the number one issue. This happens when excess fluid builds up inside different areas of the body.
It’s extremely common, and when it’s not related to a medical condition, it typically stems from one of the following causes:
- A lack of exercise. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week or 75 minutes of higher intensity.
- Too much salt. Check your labels and steer clear of processed foods. According to dietary guidelines, we should limit intake to about a teaspoon per day.
- A lack of sleep. Adults need seven to nine hours per night, so get your beauty rest!
- Smoking. Skip the tobacco altogether.
Luckily, temporary puffiness is generally related to lifestyle, which means you can do your best to avoid it. Keep reading to find out how to combat unwanted puffiness under the eyes when it shows up.
How to Get Rid of Look of Puffy Eyes Instantly
As we’ve established, healthy habits can help keep puffy eyes at bay. While you can do your best to avoid them, once the puffiness is there, it’s time to do some damage control.
To get your eyes back to normal, the key is about cooling the skin and reducing the fluid.
Here’s 8 tricks to depuff eyes — from au natural DIY tricks to our favorite eye cream.
Cold cucumber slices or tea bags
Undoubtedly, you’ve heard that cucumber slices can soothe the delicate eye area. But why? Well, they’re made mostly of water, which helps to hydrate your skin. Plus, they’re rich in vitamin C and folic acid, which can help fight environmental toxins. Cooled tea bags are also a great option. Chamomile is your best bet, thanks to the herb’s soothing properties. Green tea is also effective, as the caffeine can help minimize the look of puffy eyes. Steep two tea bags of your choice in boiling water, then squeeze out the extra water and stick them in the freezer for 20 minutes or so. Enjoy your hot cup tea while they cool. When they are ready, put the cooled tea bags over your closed eyes for 15 minutes to a half hour.
Up your H20 intake
Water seems like the answer to everything, doesn’t it? Considering that water makes up to 60% of the contents of your body, we’d say it’s pretty important. Drinking the proper amount of water daily will help you with all aspects of your skin. It’s the key ingredient for retaining hydration, which leads to your skin looking youthful, smooth, and refreshed long-term. Since the cause of puffy eyes is typically fluid retention, it may seem counterintuitive to drink more water — but drinking enough water flushes out the toxins in your system that can cause fluid retention.
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Cut back on sugar and salt
While sugar is pretty tasty (all things in moderation!), it can also cause inflammation, which leads directly to puffiness around the eyes — plus a whole host of other unpleasant issues with your body. Then there’s salt, which (when consumed excessively) makes you retain fluid. Both of these additions should be minimized if you’re dealing with a temporary puffy eye situation.
Prop up your peepers
Keeping your head elevated can be a great way to avoid fluid filling up the eye area. At night, make sure you have a couple of pillows beneath your head and neck. It’ll keep you comfy and make sure the skin on your face stays protected and smooth. You could also consider a special pillow, gentle eye mask, and/or essential oils designed to help you sleep better and stay still.
Use spoons
You’ve probably seen that scene in movies where a tired starlet puts a pair of chilled spoons over her eyes, hoping to reverse the effects of a long evening the night before. Well, guess what--it works! Place a pair of spoons in a cup of ice cold water for several minutes, then place the concave side to the skin under your eyes. The cooling benefits will help reduce the appearance of puffiness.
Exercise your face
A gentle facial massage near the eye area can help reduce the swelling. An acupressure massage will help your eyes recover from any stressors from the day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Rid of Puffy Eyes
What causes puffy eyes?
The most common causes of puffy eyes are a lack of exercise and sleep. You should be aiming for about two and a half hours of exercise per week, and about seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Excessive salt intake and smoking are also huge factors. Eliminate puffy eyes by eliminating the triggering factors.
How to visibly reduce puffy eyes?
Try placing green tea bags on your eyes, as the caffeine can help minimize the look of puffy eyes. Hydration-rich cucumber slices can be placed on your eyes for 15 minutes to soothe and calm. Finally, use an eye cream with caffeine to replenish and energize the fragile skin around your eyes.
What are puffy eyes a sign of?
Puffy eyes could be a sign of a number of things: a lack of sleep, too much salt in your diet, or a bad reaction to a product or your environment.
What foods cause puffy eyes?
Salt is notorious for causing puffy eyes, so the next time you’re reaching for the shaker or packaged food filled with sodium, think it through! Just about any food that causes inflammation can cause puffy eyes, so go easy on things like sugar, dairy, and processed foods.
How do I get rid of puffy eyes?
From DIY remedies to employing an effective eye cream like our Eyes, Eyes Baby eye cream, there are a number of ways to get rid of puffy eyes, including tea bags, cucumbers, and even cold spoons!
Goodbye Dry, Tired-Looking Eyes
There you have it, lovelies! Puffy eyes are an annoyance, but they can be avoided (and relieved) with some simple lifestyle and self-care solutions. So the next time you stay up too late watching your fave sob story, you’ll have the tools to look your best the morning after.
