How To Get Rid Of Puffy Eyes

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. We've got the tips and tricks you need to beat this annoying skin care issue.

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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Knowledge Drop: 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 those z's people!
Smoking. Skip the tobacco altogether.

Luckily temporary puffiness is generally related to lifestyle, which means you can do your best to avoid it! And when that puffiness does pop up — you'll have a toolkit to work with.

Reduce puffy eyes - water and tea bags

How to Get Rid of Look of Puffy Eyes Instantly

As we've established, certain behaviors can really help keep puffy eyes at bay. Healthy habits, people!

And while you can do your best to avoid them, once the puffiness is there — well, then it's time to do 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 personal 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 moisturize. Plus, they're rich in vitamin C and folic acid, which can help fight environmental toxins. Then there are tea bags. Chamomile is your best bet, thanks to the herb's soothing properties. Green tea is also a great option, as the caffeine can help minimize the look puffy eyes. Steep two tea bags of your choice in boiling water, then squeeze out the extra water and stick them in the fridge for 20 minutes or so. When they're ready, put them on your closed eyes for 15 minutes to a half hour.

Up your H20 intake

Water seems like the answer to everything, isn't it? Considering it's up to 60% of the contents of your body, we'd have to suggest that it's pretty important. And drinking more of it will help you with all aspects of your skin. It's the key ingredient for retaining moisture 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 it flushes out your system in all the best ways!

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Cut back on sugar and salt

While sugar is amazingly tasty (all things in moderation!), it can also cause inflammation. And inflammation leads directly to puffiness — plus a whole host of other unpleasant issues with your bod. Then there's salt, which (when consumed excessively) makes you retain fluid. So both of these flavorings, while delicious, are best minimized if you're dealing with a temporary puffy eye situation.

Prop up your peepers

Keeping your eyes elevated can be a great way to avoid fluid filling up the 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 on her eyes, hoping to reverse the effects of a long evening the night before. Well, guess what--it works! Run a couple of metal spoons under the cold tap for a couple of minutes and then place the concave side to the eye. You should see the puffiness start to go down immediately.

Use a cold compress

Don't have spoons? Make a cold compress with a washcloth soaked in cold water and that should probably work, too!

Exercise your face

A little gentle facial massage near the eye area should help start to reduce the swelling.

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. Excess salt and--not surprisingly--smoking will turn your eyes into puff balls as well so try to keep both under control.

How to visibly reduce puffy eyes?

Try placing green tea bags on your eyes as the caffeine can help minimize the look puffy eyes. You can also slice up a couple of moisturizing cucumbers and place on your eyes for 15 minutes. Finally, be sure to use an eye cream with caffeine that will replenish 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.

What foods cause puffy eyes?

Salt is notorious for causing puffy eyes so the next time you're reaching for the shaker or just 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 even tomatoes.

How do I get rid of puffy eyes?

From DIY remedies to finding a good 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 next time you stay up too late watching your fave sob story, you'll have the tools to look your best the morning after.

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