Are you tired of people asking you if you got enough sleep last night? Some people are prone to puffier eyes or bags under the eyes. Fortunately, a few simple tricks can get the upper half of your face looking bright and youthful again.

Even better, if you’re not a reading kind of person, this will save you some time. Tap down below to shop our Energizing Eye Tool to help with puffy eyes!

Why Do I Wake Up With Puffy Eyes?

Credit: Men's Health

Some people naturally have puffier eyes due to genetics. Another factor can include aging. As you get older, the tissues in your skin begin to break down. This makes them not as elastic as they once were, causing the skin underneath your eyes to sag.

Outside of that, swelling around the eyes tends to occur due to the accumulation of fluids in the skin tissue. The skin underneath your eyes is thinner than skin elsewhere on the body. This means any swelling or discoloration becomes far more prominent than you might expect.

Certain actions that can result in swelling include:

• Crying
• Experiencing too much stress
• Consuming too much salt
• Having sinus problems
• Not getting enough sleep

How to Treat Your Puffy Eyes

For most people, puffy eyes are a temporary condition. If you stayed up all night, you may just need to wait for it to go away. But if you can’t wait, there are some steps you can take to reduce those under-eye bags in no time. 

5. Apply a Cold Compress

As mentioned above, puffy eyes are often a result of swelling, which restricts blood flow. If you apply something cold to the area, it lessens the swelling, making it easier for blood to get moving again.

You should keep an ice pack in the house. In the event you don’t have something, a frozen bag of vegetables or some chilled cucumber slices work in a pinch. Just keep the frozen object over your eyes for a few minutes at a time.

Speaking of chilled cucumber slices, this can actually help your skin even if you don’t have puffy eyes! Cucumbers are extremely good for your skin and will leave your skin and pores youthful. It may not be bad to have puffy eyes after all! Overall, just keep the frozen object over your eyes for a few minutes at a time.

4. Massage the Swollen Area

In lieu of a cold compress, you can massage the area around your eyes. Since the swelling limits blood flow, a good massage gets it moving again. Giving your skin massages is also a great thing to do in general as it helps and promotes blood flow!

You can always use an eye roller or gua sha to help with this. Your hands and fingers of course will do the trick as well. For an added bonus, you should drink plenty of water. It helps prevent dehydration and any further swelling.

3. Apply Face Cream or Serum

If you’re particularly prone to bags under your eyes, consider investing in a high-quality cream or serum. Numerous over-the-counter products are available designed to make your skin look its best. 

And it may sound a little weird, but some people use anti-hemorrhoid cream for around the eyes. Be careful not to get any in your eyes, but these products are designed to narrow blood vessels to eliminate swelling.

2. Use Eyedrops to Get Rid of Eye Redness

Sometimes, allergies result in swelling and redness in and around the eyes. Been around a ton of pollen lately? Maybe a cat? That’ll do it, my friend. For this, you’ll want to use eye drops. 

Ultimately, any saline solution can reap benefits. It’s just a matter of getting rid of the material you’re allergic to from such a sensitive area.

1. Apply Tea Bags to Swollen Area

Caffeine restricts blood vessels, and many over-the-counter eye creams contain caffeine to reduce puffiness. As it turns out, you can use tea bags to your advantage here. 

After chilling the bags, preferably caffeinated black tea, you should place them over your closed eyes. This hopefully gets the blood moving again. Be sure not to put scorching hot tea bags on your eyes as this can leave permanent damage.

When Should You See an Eye Doctor? 

Credit: Swagel Wootton Eye Institute

Normally, puffy eyes aren’t an emergency. They are merely unsightly, but if they genuinely start causing you health problems, you shouldn’t hesitate to make an appointment, especially if the swollenness lasts for extended periods of time.

It's worth noting that puffy eyes may not be an issue, but swollen eyelids are a whole other problem. It could be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as thyroid eye disease. A doctor will be able to tell you what you have and what the best course of action is.

References:

Desai, Shaun C. M.D. “How to Get Rid of Bags Under Your Eyes.” John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/how-to-get-rid-of-bags-under-your-eyes

Cronkleton, Emily. “How to Use Tea Bags for the Eyes.” Healthline, 2 Mar. 2018. https://www.healthline.com/health/tea-bags-for-eyes