10 Ways To Beat Puffy Eyes

Waking up with puffy eyes can be, well, deflating. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to fight back against the folds, reducing the appearance of bags and giving your face the fresh, I-slept-enough look that you seek. We’ve put together a list of the 10 best ways to get rid of puffiness, and there’s sure to be at least one lifestyle change that will make your peepers look more refreshed than ever.  

• Sleep More

You probably know this already, but it doesn’t hurt to reiterate: You probably need 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night to give your body time to rejuvenate itself, eyes included.

• Drink More Water

Although your puffed-up eyes appear fuller than you want them to be, they could be a sign of dehydration. That’s because your body starts to hold onto water when it thinks a shortage is on the horizon. Therefore, make it a point to drink water as soon as you wake up in the morning and continue throughout the day. There are plenty of ways to get yourself to sip more often, too, including setting up a reminder on your phone or work desktop.

• Drink Less Alcohol 

After reading tip No. 2, you can probably guess why alcohol causes puffy eyes: it’s dehydrating. On top of that, it expands blood vessels in the face and blocks salivary ducts, both of which contribute to swelling of the face. The physical effects of alcohol reach far beyond your eyes, too, which means you’re better off laying off if you want to look fresh the next day.

• Get High

No need to turn yourself into the heroine from “The Princess and the Pea,” but sleeping with your head elevated can help your body drain the fluids that cause puffy eyes. All you have to do is sleep.

• Slice a Cucumber

It’s an iconic image of relaxation – no spa day would be complete without cucumber slices on your eyes – but they serve a greater purpose. Cucumbers are packed with antioxidants and flavonoids that naturally soothe redness and swelling. By placing a pair on your closed eyes for 30 minutes, you’ll feel relaxed and the puffiness will subside. That sounds like a win-win.

• Splash Some Cold Water

It might be this simple. For some people, puffy eyes signify a slow circulation system that’s stalling on its removal of fatty fluids. A splash of cold water will make your blood vessels constrict, which kick-starts circulation once more.

• Massage It Out 

As we’ve established, fluid buildup is often the culprit behind puffy eyes. You can help fluids find their way out with a gentle, 10- to 15-second massage of the affected area. Use your ring finger to massage in an arc shape that extends from the inside corner of your eye to the outside.

• Slip on Your Shades

Sunglasses equipped with the proper UV coatings do wonders to protect your eyes, since they shield them from absorbing any harmful rays from the sun. Sunglasses also keep irritants like dust and wind away from your eyes that can cause irritation and, therefore, puffiness.

• Say No to Sweeteners …

The pros and cons of artificial sweeteners have been debated for years, and most of the arguments have revolved around whether or not they’re good for your health. In the realm of skin health and eye puffiness, some studies have implied that artificial sweeteners can promote water retention, which is one of the leading causes of extra fluid lingering beneath your eyes. Try cutting out or swapping your artificial sweeteners to see if it makes your eyes more dewy.

• … and Salt, Too

One of the biggest culprits in water retention is excess sodium intake. To keep your body from retaining too much liquid, cut down on your consumption of salty foods. If you must indulge in a big, cheesy slice of pizza, partner it with a tall glass of water to flush it all out.

For some readers, it might be one trick that helps deflate puffy eyes. For others, it might take a special combination of, say, sleep and morning eye massages to flatten their facades. Once you find the routine that works for you, you’ll be walking out the door each morning with enviably bright, non-puffy eyes.