Puffy under eyes are a nuisance, especially when they give off the impression that you're tired even when you're not. Luckily there are some things you can do to keep those bothersome puffs under control - ranging from lifestyle changes to quick tips and tricks. Read on to learn how to ease puffy under eyes for a more wakeful appearance. 

What brings on under eye puffiness?

It’s likely you already know that puffy under eyes can be caused by a lack of sleep, but are you aware of the other reasons that might be to blame? Sometimes getting more sleep just isn’t going to cut it.

Sometimes the reason for puffy under eyes lies deeper.  Puffy eyes may be caused by medical conditions like thyroid issues, allergies, and dietary choices. They can also be caused by alcohol consumption and smoking. 

And sometimes puffy eyes are, to a certain extent, unavoidable. As you age the skin under your eyes naturally sags more due to the muscles weakening which can give off a puffy look. 

 

So how do you get rid of puffy under eyes?

There are two routes you can take when it comes to addressing puffy under eyes. One is centered around addressing the root cause and the other focuses on what you can do about it after the fact. We’re going to discuss both. 

If you don’t know what’s actually causing your puffy under eyes, we recommend taking both approaches. Try out different methods that are targeted to address the route cause as well as remedying it through the tips that help you deal with the after-math of already having puffy eyes.

10 Ways to Reduce Puffy Eyes

1. Reduce your salt intake

Sodium rich diets are so common these days, and this can lead to fluid retention! Unfortunately, your under eyes are a susceptible place for this to show, but the fluid retention will also be happening elsewhere on the face and body. 

Puffy eyes can be noticeable the morning after a salty meal. So if you wake up with puffy eyes, think back to your last meal because it might just be the culprit. 

 

2. Eat more potassium

This one is also linked to salt intake and plays a role with fluid retention too! 

Did you know your body requires a balance between sodium and potassium? 

The ideal ratio is 1:3 sodium-potassium. Infact, experts suggest that the ratio is more important than specifically lowering sodium (however lowering can often help get the ratio right). 

Increasing potassium allows the fluid build up caused by excess salt to subside. So grab that banana and enjoy every bite! Because bananas are high in potassium, it might just do the trick and help depuff your under eyes.

 

3. Get some more shut-eye

Now this one you likely already know, but here’s some science behind it.

When you’re sleep deprived, your blood vessels dilate. This contributes towards the appearance of puffiness as well as dark under eye circles. 

So sometimes your puffy eyes are just because you need to sleep more, and sleeping enough plays a vital role for flawless skin and beauty. 

 

4. Fluid draining massage

An effective way to minimize that fluid build up under your eyes is to manually drain it.

First you need to lubricate your under eyes with a lotion or oil. We recommend our customer favorite Kadee Botanicals Eye Cream.  Then, using the Gua Sha tool found inside the Luxury Jade Facial Massage Roller and Gua Sha kit, take the concaved side and sweep your under eye area outwards. Starting from the inner corner of your eye out towards your temple. 

And make sure you hold the tool at a 15 degree angle to prevent tugging your skin!

Massaging in the recommended direction works with the lymphatic system, rather than against it. The lymphatic system is responsible for removing excess fluid, and it also initiates specific immune response. It’s often referred to as the body's sewer system and its channels work in particular directions like a one way street. 

If you’re not already on the gua-sha bandwagon, you should give it a go! There’s so many more ways to use it. You can sculpt and define your face, drain puffiness, promote blood flow and relieve tension, all with one tool.

Check out 10 Reasons You Need an Eye Massage.

5. Befriend the cold

Applying something cold under your eyes works by shrinking blood flow to the area. This reduces swelling and puffiness. Some people like to use a tool designed specifically for it and some people like to put cold teaspoons under their eyes.

The Magic Ice Globes are perfect for this! They double as a tool for massage whilst providing the cool temperature to de-puff your eyes. Simply roll the ice globes outward under your eyes. 

 

6. Get your allergies under control

Maybe the cause of your puffy eyes is just an allergic reaction. Potential allergens include pollen, dust mites, animal fur, mold and more. Triggers vary from person to person.  

Whilst you may not always be able to control your exposure to the allergen, you can try taking an antihistamine to control your body's reaction to it. Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergic reactions. Speak to your medical professional for advice.

 

7. Use an eye cream

This one especially relevant when the puffy under-eye appearance is actually due to your skin's natural aging! As mentioned earlier, the skin under your eyes sag as your muscles weaken. 

Although eye creams do not work instantly, over time they can help improve and tighten the skin under your eyes. Regardless of your age, It’s worth starting now, prevention is key!

The Kadee Botanicals Eye Cream is natural and effective. Inside you’ll find Kakadu Plum - an Australian native plant potent in vitamin C to help boost collagen production. The jojoba oil and cucumber oil help hydrate your skin and smooth out fine lines. And lilly pilly fights off free radicals thanks to its antioxidant rich qualities!

 

8. Reduce Smoking

Smoking contributes towards the appearance of puffy eyes in a variety of ways. One reason is the fact that smoking increases inflammation in the body, and under eyes are a sensitive place for this change to become visible. 

On the other hand, nicotine impairs collagen production by inhibiting fibroblasts, the collagen production factories. Collagen is crucial for skin elasticity and healthy joints. It prevents skin from sagging, which can cause a puffy look.

Reducing nicotine consumption will help your under eyes, over-all appearance and health. It’s a worthwhile pursuit! And remember, there’s plenty of support out there to help you along this journey.

 

9. Minimize alcohol consumption

As enjoyable as a good night out is, and some wine to wind down… unfortunately this could be the culprit for your puffy eyes. 

Alcohol is a toxin that can lead to inflammation and swelling throughout your face and body. And unfortunately, your under eyes are a sensitive place to show these fluid changes. 

Dehydration is another contributing factor for puffy eyes! When your body is dehydrated, it can hold on to water as a means of preservation, in fear that it won’t receive water for a while.

With all of the above said, the best thing you can do is reduce your alcohol intake and drink lots of water. Water retention caused by alcohol usually subsides within 12-24 hours.

 

10. Seek out a medical professional

If you’ve tried reclaiming the power over your puffy eyes, but can’t seem to shake them off, it may be time to consider the possibility of an underlying medical condition. Whilst puffy under eyes are usually perfectly fine from a health point, sometimes they’re signaling that something deeper is going on.

Thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause fluid retention around the eyes as well as other places. Other conditions that can cause puffy eyes are kidney disease, liver disease, dermatomyositis, as well as some others.

 

So now you know!

Puffy eyes can come on due to a variety of reasons, ranging from short term causes like a poor night's sleep, and long term causes like a health condition. 

Chronic eye puffiness is more likely to be linked to a health condition, whereas puffy eyes that go away after a few hours in the morning might have just been a lack of sleep, or a salty meal last night. 

Remember that puffy looking under eyes can come on due to your body's natural aging, so don’t freak out if they’ve gradually come on over the years. 

We hope the information provided will drive you to make the changes necessary to de-puff your stuff! Regardless of the cause, if you’ve found your eyes in a puffy state, the tools below can help you.

Product Recommendations 

The Luxury Jade Facial Massage Roller and Gua Sha duo is an all rounder. Roll the jade roller against your skin for a gentle massage to promote blood flow. And Sculpt and define your face with the Gua Sha tool. Both tools will assist you to drain puffiness and relieve tension on your face. This matching kit is adorable and feels luxurious!

 

The Magic Ice Globes help relieve puffy under eyes thanks to the cooling sensation and they double up as a massage tool too! Simply roll the ice globes outward under your eyes to reap the benefits. Choose from a selection of different styles and colours to find the look you love. 

The Kadee Botanicals Eye Cream is natural and effective. Inside you’ll find Kakadu Plum - an australian native plant potent in vitamin C to help boost collagen production. The jojoba oil and cucumber oil help hydrate your skin and smooth out fine lines. And lilly pilly fights off free radicals thanks to its antioxidant rich qualities!

The  Brightening LED Eye Massager can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and boost skin elasticity, giving you a more youthful appearance. Relax and soothe eyes with the high frequency vibration massage, vibrating at 11,000 times per minute. Tighten pores and stimulate your skin’s natural production of collagen with the use of red light therapy.

 

 

The Luxurious 4D Eye Massager is like next level bliss, utilizing soft airbag pressure and heat to relieve tension and stress. This massager is also foldable so you can easily tuck it away and take it with you on holiday for added luxury. It even doubles as a bluetooth speaker so you can add relaxing tunes to the immersive experience.