What causes puffy eyes and how to get rid of them?
We have all experienced some form of puffiness around the eyes. While puffy eyes can have a variety of causes, including etiology, skin type, and allergies, there are home remedies and professional treatments that can help with temporary treatment.
For long-term treatment, the underlying cause of the swelling must be treated first. Together, we will find out what causes puffy eyes and how to get rid of puffy eyes.
What are the causes of puffy eyes?
There can be a variety of reasons for puffy eyes. Typically, swelling around the eyes is the result of excess fluid around the skin tissue, known as edema. This swelling can be more noticeable because the skin around the eyes is very thin. There are many factors that can cause swelling, such as:
Inherited facial features. These conditions are easily treatable, some require surgery, and others can be resolved with simple lifestyle changes. In terms of inherited facial features, puffy eyes seem to run in some families, and there is no real cure unless surgery is an option.
As we age, the skin around the eyes lifts the eyelids and the fatty tissue weakens, causing the skin to shift, changing the appearance of the eyes and forming bags under the eyes, which can lead to puffiness.
Why do I have puffy eyes when I wake up in the morning?
Believe it or not, the way you sleep can have a big impact on your eyes. If you sleep on your stomach, fluid can get on your face and settle in the area under your eyes, causing puffiness and dark circles under your eyes.
Sleeping on your back and using a silk pillowcase are some of the simplest ways to change this, which can have a big effect and fight swelling.
Some people may also find that they don’t blink when they close their eyes. By doing this, you can train your eyes by reducing the amount of fluid around your eyes. You will notice that over time, the swelling will subside and you will blink more frequently when you wake up.
Is puffy eyes a sign of a health problem?
Puffy eyes are not usually a sign of a health problem. However, contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: pain, irritation, and severe swelling around the eyes. Persistent puffiness in the eyes that you have never had before.
These symptoms can be signs of more serious problems, such as:
How to get rid of puffy eyes?
There are several ways to treat puffy eyes:
Get enough sleep. The right amount of eyelids can reduce puffy eyes. Good sleep is important for your entire body, not just your eyes. Here are some simple steps you can take to get going.
Avoid caffeine at least 6 hours before bed. Stop exercising 5 hours before bed. Avoid large meals or sugary snacks 3 hours before bed. Avoid alcohol before bed. Turn off all electronic devices 2 hours before bed to avoid blue screens. Drink enough water.
Puffy eyes can be caused by dehydration. Try to keep track of your daily water intake and aim to drink eight glasses of water. Drink a large glass in the morning and a half glass before bed to stay hydrated.
Eat more potassium. Potassium can help reduce excess fluid in the body. Potassium is found in foods such as bananas. You should also talk to your doctor to see if you are getting the right amount of potassium from different supplements you can try, but you must talk to your primary care physician first.
Try eye creams There are a variety of eye creams to choose from, many of which have effective formulas with active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and cucumbers to reduce puffiness. They also contain vitamin C and caffeine to rejuvenate, reduce inflammation, and firm and brighten the eye area. Learn more about how to find the best eye cream in our blog post.
Use cool compresses. Placing a few slices of chilled cucumber on your eyes may have a relaxing effect, but they can actually help reduce puffy eyes. You can also try holding a cool, damp cloth over your eyes to drain excess fluid,
or using a green tea bag. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation and protect your skin.
Eat a healthy diet Reducing your salt and alcohol intake will have a positive impact on your eye area. Too much salt can cause fluid to build up in your body, making eye bags appear more puffy. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits and
Eat vegetables, especially superfoods like spinach and blueberries. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, as it can dry out your skin. Using an eye cream and plenty of water can help keep your eyes hydrated.
Treat allergies If you suffer from seasonal allergies like hay fever every year, consider trying medicated eye drops. Use these over-the-counter drops to moisturize your eyes and relieve irritation from pollen and dust. Talk to your doctor about surgery. There are a number of cosmetic procedures that can help relieve severely puffy eyes. If you find that other treatments haven’t helped, the next step may be to consult your doctor. Surgery. This decision should not be made lightly, and you must take the time to research the doctor and clinic that will best suit your needs. You can suffer from puffy eyes year-round for a variety of reasons. Lack of sleep, a poor diet, and allergies can all affect your eyes. The simplest treatment is to eat a balanced and healthy diet as much as possible, get enough beauty sleep, and be aware of any allergies. As a result, you will notice a significant improvement in the overall appearance of your eyes. If you would like to learn more about how to treat and prevent under-eye wrinkles, you can read our blog post.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
