Puffy eyes? Here's how to get rid of them
I never used to have this problem. Nowadays it's simple: a night of too much of this and that, and the next morning I literally have to push myself back in. Because that's actually what you want with puffy eyes: not to flatten them, but to push them back. The good news is that there is quite a bit you can do about it, as long as you know where the swelling comes from. Eating salt as the culprit, for example, I never had on my radar.
Where do puffy eyes actually come from?
Dermatologist Shereene Idriss from Idriss Dermatology lexplains at SheerLuxe that bags under the eyes roughly fall into two categories. One is swelling or fluid under the skin, the other consists of hardened fat deposits that are related to age and hereditary predisposition. There are people who really seem to be unable to do anything about their bags, and those are the people who struggle with fat deposits. Our skin relies on collagen and elastin, both of which weaken with age (which I wouldn't want to add to). Because the skin sags, fluid has an easier chance to accumulate around the eyes.
What actually causes the swelling?
Sleep is perhaps the biggest culprit, I suspected that already but it's nice to see it confirmed. A lack of rest slows down blood circulation around the eyes, causing fluid to linger and inflammation to be exacerbated. Dehydration also plays a role: your body starts to retain water as soon as it gets too little, and you see that first in thin skin like around the eyes. Crying a lot is of course also not really good for a fresh look. Tears are salty and therefore, if you cry a lot, the salt can retain moisture around your skin. You also often rub your eyes when you cry because you want to wipe away the tears or stop them, which only makes the swelling worse.
Eating salt and drinking alcohol right before bed causes fluid retention under the eyes. Aha, I had Thai food yesterday and drank a glass of chardonnay with it, so I feel that all day in my eyes now. Processed sugars can also play a role. Allergic reactions trigger the production of histamine, which causes swelling, and rubbing your eyes only makes it worse. a glass of chardonnay How do you recognize your own triggers?.
Experts recommend keeping track of patterns. If you notice that your face swells after a night of heavy drinking or eating salty food, then you know enough. If the swelling is worse after a bad night, then that's also a clear signal. Now, little alcohol and plenty of sleep are of course good for you anyway, we already knew that. A simple adjustment that really works: sleep temporarily with your head a bit higher, with an extra pillow, so that fluid doesn't accumulate in your face while you lie flat.
What helps in the short term against puffy eyes?.
A cold compress remains the quick fix. Fab explicitly calls it a quick fix and not a structural solution, but it does work for temporary swelling. Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, so a frozen tool or ice cubes in a washcloth can provide a tighter, fresher appearance.
Which ingredients really make a difference in the long term?.
For structural improvement, look beyond the cold compress. SPF is essential, especially because the skin around your eyes is thin and contains little collagen and elastin, making UV damage hit harder here. Retinol in an eye cream is another recommendation; apply it with your ring finger for the softest application.
Caffeine works according to Idriss because it temporarily constricts blood vessels, and an easy home trick is to use cooled, used tea bags with caffeine on your eyes. For those looking for long-lasting effects, she mentions arnica, which has anti-inflammatory properties, stimulates blood circulation, and helps move the accumulated fluid.
How do you prevent puffy eyes in the future?.
The basics remain unglamorous simple.
, watch your salt intake, never sleep with makeup on, and handle contact lenses carefully to avoid irritation. A good night's sleep plays the biggest role because too little sleep causes blood vessels to dilate, which contributes to that dark, swollen appearance. In short: the real answer to puffy eyes is not in a jar, but in the night before. Drink enough water, A woman with blonde hair is lying on a couch and looking at the camera, while bright sunlight and shadow fall across her face.
