The Best Ways to Reduce Puffy Eyes

The Best Ways to Reduce Puffy Eyes

We recently got this question from Beth on Facebook: “What is the best way to reduce puffiness under the eyes? I don’t have wrinkles but often am puffy. I have increased water intake.” The list of things that’ll give you puffy eyes is a long one: allergies, staying out too late, watching The Notebook…you get the idea. Thank God there are just as many ways to get rid of them.

Start with one of these at-home remedies, says Michele Green, a dermatologist in New York City and one of the consulting experts behind SkinBetter, our free skin-analysis tool. “The antioxidants in green tea help reduce redness and soothe inflammation,” says Green, who recommends steeping two tea bags in hot water, letting them cool (you might need to give them a squeeze if they’re dripping wet to get out the excess water), and then placing them over your closed eyes. Drape a damp cloth on top and sit back for five to ten minutes. “You could also use cucumber slices,” she says. “It sounds old-fashioned, but it constricts blood vessels, and the cucumber has an astringent property that reduces puffiness.” In a hurry? Swipe on a product that contains caffeine (we like Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller).

If puffy under eye bags are a recurring problem, you may want to take a look at your diet. “Soda makes you dehydrated, and when you eat foods that are high in sodium, your body retains the salt and you get puffy, especially under your eyes,” Green says. Or you may want to invest in an in-office treatment. Green suggests three sessions of eMatrix, a laser treatment for under-eyes, or Restylane Silk, a new one-time injection that goes right into fine lines and under the eyes to help camouflage bags and puffiness.