Say goodbye to puffy eyes

Whether you’re a busy mom with a new baby keeping you awake all night or a woman on the go, getting a solid eight hours sleep may seem like an extravagant luxury. To make matters worse, this lack of sleep can cause your eyes to appear droopy and swollen. Other conditions, like pregnancy or hormonal fluctuations, also may lead to fluid retention resulting in baggy eyes, according to New York Dermatology’s website. Fortunately, there are some tricks that may help prevent, treat, or conceal those sad, puffy eyes so you can look your best in the morning.

Home remedies for puffy eyes

Water

It may seem counterintuitive but, when you become dehydrated, the body responds by retaining water. Unfortunately, the soft tissue under your eyes is a prime location for water storage. Therefore, make sure you drink plenty of fluids during the day but steer clear of water retaining culprits like salty foods and alcohol. Additionally, a diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E also can help maintain healthy, moist skin.

Sleep

To awaken each morning with bright and shining eyes, aim to get seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Interrupted sleep is a major cause of fatigue and swollen eyes. Also, try sleeping with your head slightly elevated on a big, fluffy pillow to reduce the influence of gravity. Sleeping this way discourages the fluids responsible for eye swelling from pooling around your eyes during the night.

Cucumber

Mother Nature has provided a remedy of her own for reducing and soothing tired, puffy eyes. Cucumbers are naturally astringent, which causes the tissue around your eyes to temporarily shrink. So, for quick, yet temporary relief, lie back and place slices of chilled cucumber over your tired eyes for about 10 minutes. The cold temperature of the cucumber also constricts the flow of fluid around the eyes, further diminishing eye puffiness.

Eye mask

A cold eye gel mask is another great tool for diminishing under-eye bags. Similar to cucumbers, the coldness of the mask constricts blood vessels in the eye area, reducing the flow of fluid into your eye tissues.

Product recommendations:

• DuWop Igels – These cool gel discs conform to your eye shape and deliver soothing comfort. The orange igels target dark circles with vitamin K and arnica. The purple igels target fine lines with vitamin C and plant collagen. The blue igels soothes tired eyes with chamomile and yarrow root.
• Skyn Iceland’s Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels – These cooling patches infuse the eye area with ingredients that soothe, tone, and de-puff the skin under the eyes.

Skin care for puffy eyes

To reduce puffy eyes, store a lightweight eye cream or gel in the refrigerator. Apply it at night before bedtime and in the morning. The chilled moisturizer will reduce swelling and prevent dryness around your eyes.

Product recommendations:

• Bliss Baggage Handler Eye Gel – This lightweight eye treatment, with cucumber and cornflower extracts, fights under-eye fatigue.
• Benefit Depuffing Action Eye Gel – This cooling eye gel depuffs and firms the under-eye area with soothing raspberry and chamomile extracts.

Makeup for puffy eyes

Under-eye concealers

Hide under-eye dark circles and the appearance of puffy eyes with a creamy concealer that has moderate to significant coverage. Apply the concealer to the dark circles and gently blend with your fingertips.

Product recommendations:

• Clinique All About Eyes Concealer – This smooth, moisturizing concealer disguises dark under-eye circles with moderate coverage and helps to reduce the look of puffiness.
• Mary Kay Concealer – This creamy concealer provides moderate to almost full coverage and is excellent for covering dark circles.

Eyeliner

To look like you’ve had a full night’s sleep, trace just the lower lash line with a nude colored pencil. Voilà – eyes appear to have an instant lift.

Product recommendation:

• Paula Dorf Eye Liner in Enhancer Baby Eyes – Brighten your eyes with this liner infused with vitamin E.

More tips for healthy eyes

• Dry eye syndrome: Tips to get rid of your dry eyes
• Detecting vision problems
• Get rid of eye redness and puffiness