3 Easy Ways to Reduce Eye Puffiness

Whether they’re the cause of a late night, allergies or genetics, puffy eyes can be hard to hide. To find out how to do the seemingly impossible and make swollen under-eyes less noticeable, we asked Dr. Doris Day, a board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant, for some advice. It turns out that there are a few hacks that can minimize the appearance of under-eye puffiness. Read on and give them a try. 

 

Massage Your Eye Contour

There are loads of massaging tools for your eye area out there, including gua sha,  a traditional Chinese practice known to depuff and sculpt the face. It's a form of tissue manipulation that promotes lymphatic drainage which can directly affect puffy eyes. We like the Mount Lai De-Puffing Rose Quartz Eye Treatment Tool crafted from rose quartz for a soothing, cooling effect on the eye area. Pro tip: You can store the massager in your fridge for amplified cooling benefits. 

Pairing your tool with a serum will take this eye massage up a level by helping it glide across your eye contour effortlessly. Our current fave is Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum which was clinically-demonstrated to help decrease the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, lines, and crow’s feet over an eight-week study.

 

Remove Your Makeup Before Bed and Apply an Eye Cream

Neglecting to remove your mascara, eyeshadow and winged eyeliner can cause the skin around your eyes to look puffy and irritated come morning. Before going to bed, take an extra minute or two to remove your eye makeup and apply an eye cream. 

 

While you may not see any immediate benefits from eye creams or serums, continued use over time can help improve the look of your eye contour.. “Ingredients like niacinamide, caffeine and vitamin C can be helpful,” says Dr. Day. We recommend the Lancôme Advanced Génifique Yeux Eye Cream or Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. Both products are refreshing, hydrating and will leave you with a super smooth finish. 

Protect Your Eyes Against the Sun

Not only can UV rays harm your skin and cause signs of premature aging, but they can also cause you to squint, which can accelerate the formation of fine lines and irritation around the eye. Dr. Day recommends wearing sunglasses outdoors, even when the sun’s not out, along with broad-spectrum sunscreen like the SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50. “If you’re squinting, get your eyes checked out and change your glasses, so you don’t squint,” she says. “Wearing a hat can help give you that protection as well.” You should also pay attention to whether you’re straining to see your computer screen or phone as the same rules regarding squinting apply.

Photo: Chaunte Vaughn 

Read More:

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How to Visibly Reduce the Appearance of Wrinkles Under Your Eyes

Dark Circles 101: The Different Types of Under-Eye Discoloration