In this article, we shall look at easy ways to get rid of puffy eyes. Puffiness under the eyes can make them look tired and droopy. This can give a perception that you look stressed, fatigued, and sometimes, older. Puffy eyes are the common name for the swelling in the tissues around the eyes. This caused by periorbital edema, which is the fluid build-up around the eyes.
Causes for Puffy Eyes:
There can be numerous reasons for puffy eyes. Puffy eyes, while common and harmless, can sometimes be a symptom of a larger problem. Ordinary puffy eyes can be the result of the normal aging process. It is also possible it is a hereditary facial feature. Other reasons can be:
- Fluid retention (perhaps through excess sodium or alcohol)
- Dehydration
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Crying for long hours
- Allergies
Symptoms of Puffy Eyes:
- Swollen periorbital area
- Irritation or itchiness
- Watery eyes, or blurry vision
- Discomfort in the eyes
Remedies for Puffy Eyes:
For ordinary puffy eyes, there are a number of remedies that exist to reduce this swelling. While many under eye creams and hemorrhoid creams have the ability to reduce puffy eyes, they can have harmful effects on our skin. Many of these creams contain steroids, which can trigger diseases such as glaucoma and aggravate or cause cataracts. In lieu of this, there are many home remedies to get rid of puffy eyes naturally.
1. Water to Cure Puffy Eyes
Eyes tend to get puffy due to water retention. Water retention can occur due to many reasons, such as a diet high in sodium. Sometimes, the fluids that are present naturally in our eyes can be pulled down by gravity when we sleep. Due to this the fluids rush into the area below our eyes and cause puffiness. Individuals who sleep on their stomachs are more prone to this. Dehydration is also another cause for puffiness. You can resolve this by staying hydrated and avoiding drinks that are carbonated or high in caffeine.
- Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up. Doing so will reduce the water retention around your eyes. Staying hydrated is necessary to lower the chances for water retention that cause the area under your eyes to swell. Do this by drinking a minimum of 8 glasses of water each day. As an added bonus, drinking more water will help flush any toxins out of the body.
- If you wake up with puffy eyes, wash your face with cold water. Concentrate the water around your eyes and very gently pat it dry.
- Avoid carbonated and caffeine-rich drinks as these serve to dehydrate your body.
2. Cucumbers to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes Naturally
Using cucumbers to reduce and get rid of puffy eyes is a classic remedy. This vegetable has been used in various skin care treatments for its natural enzymes and astringent properties. These help to reduce inflammation and to tighten the skin. Consequently, cucumbers are excellent to cure puffy eyes, as well as wrinkles and dark circles.
- Cut up thick slices of a large cucumber and chill them for 30 minutes in a refrigerator.
- Place the chilled slices over the dark circles and let them sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash this area thoroughly with cool water.
- You can incorporate this procedure into your weekly beauty regime. Make sure to repeat this process twice a day.
3. Treat Puffy Eyes with Egg Whites
Maybe using egg whites seems like an odd solution. But, egg whites act as a natural astringent and helps tighten the skin. In addition, it helps to reduce swelling and even increases the blood circulation under the skin. Increased blood flow also reduces puffiness. Use this classic home remedy to get rid of puffy eyes and beat fine wrinkles.
- Separate the whites and yolks of 2 eggs and place the whites in a clean, dry bowl.
- Whip them very well till you get stiff peaks.
- Using a clean cotton ball, apply this to your lower eyelid and the area below. Let this dry a little and apply a second coat.
- Leave it on to dry for 15 minutes.
- Rinse away with warm water and gently pat dry.
- Repeat this method twice a day for 5 days to see improved results.
(Optional: You can add 2-3 drops of witch hazel into the egg white mix to enhance the skin-tightening and astringent properties)
4. Strawberries for Puffy Eyes Treatment
This delicious seasonal fruit contains a compound known as alpha-hydroxy. This reduces swelling and clears the skin to give it a youthful radiance.
- Refrigerate fresh strawberries for a few hours till they well chilled.
- After a few hours, cut them into thick slices and place over the periorbital area.
- Leave them on for 10 minutes, till the slices are no longer cold.
- Wash the area with cool water and pat dry.
- Repeat this daily for a week or twice a week for a month.
5. Raw Potato to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes
Potatoes, like cucumbers, are an excellent home remedy for puffy eyes. And since it is a kitchen staple, getting your hands on this remedy is easy and inexpensive. The starch present in raw potatoes acts as a natural astringent. This helps to reduce puffiness as well as tighten the skin around the eyes.
- Peel and grate one raw potato. Squeeze out the juice from this and place it into a bowl.
- Soak a cotton ball in this juice and rub it under and around the eyes. Do note to be careful that the juice doesn’t fall inside the eyes.
- Wait for it to dry for 2 minutes and reapply the juice.
- Once it is fully dry, gently rinse the area with cold water.
- Follow this remedy once or twice every day to get rid of puffy eyes.
6. Tea Treatment for Puffy Eyes
Tea is packed with beneficial antioxidants. And the tannin present in tea acts as a powerful natural astringent. This helps to get rid of puffy eyes by reducing fluid retention and by increasing blood circulation under the eyes. The increased blood flow causes the muscles under the eyes to relax, which in turn makes your skin feel refreshed. Green tea is the best for this procedure, but black tea works to give similar results.
- Take 2 used green tea or black tea bags and chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. (Make sure the tea had been brewed in plain water.)
- Place a chilled bag over each eye and leave it for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove afterward and wash it off.
- Repeat this twice every day for 2-3 weeks.
7. Aloe Vera to Cure Puffy Eyes Overnight
Aloe Vera is considered a “miracle plant”, and is used widely to cure various ailments. It is especially relevant in the beauty industry for its various beneficial properties. This antioxidant and Vitamin E rich plant is an excellent home remedy for puffy eyes. Along with these properties, Aloe Vera contains proteins and amino acids necessary for repairing and building up collagen. Therefore, using this will strengthen the skin of the under eye area and reduce wrinkles.
- Cut the Aloe Vera leaf and squeeze out the thick, jellylike gel.
- Apply this gel directly to the affected area.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash the affected area with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this treatment twice every day for 2-3 weeks.
Note: If the Aloe Vera plant is unavailable, you can use aloe vera gel for similar results. Obtain this gel in any natural health store.
8. Ice to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes Fast
A well-known home remedy, ice can be used to reduce almost any type of swelling. The cold from the ice shrinks swollen blood vessels, consequently reducing the swelling of the periorbital area. Use these methods to instantly get rid of puffy eyes:
- Make an ice pack. Do this by placing a few cubes of ice in a plastic bag or by wrapping them in a clean towel. A bag of frozen peas is a good substitute for an ice pack.
- Place the ice pack under one eye and hold it in place for 2 minutes before switching to the other eye. Do this for about 10-15 minutes. At the end of this, you will notice a significant reduction of the puffiness under your eyes.
- Repeat this procedure as and when required.
9. Milk to Cure Puffy Eyes
Pure milk contains natural enzymes and antioxidants that help to reduce swelling of blood vessels. In addition, the amino acids present in milk help in repairing damaged skin tissues as well as making the skin soft and supple. Using milk to cold compress is an excellent treatment method to reduce under-eye puffiness and dark circles.
- Refrigerate milk for at least one hour.
- Soak cotton balls in the cold milk and apply it to the affected area.
- Hold them in place till they become warm and then rinse the area gently.
- Follow this treatment twice every day for 2 weeks.
10. Cure Puffy Eyes with Oil Treatment
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and can help get rid of puffy eyes and irritation. This vitamin is found in many natural sources, like aloe vera. It is excellent to use for skin care as it helps to treat the fine lines and reduce inflammation. You can harness the goodness of this vitamin by using the oil directly. To do this, follow these steps:
- In a clean bowl, take some chilled water and add 3-5 drops of vitamin E oil.
- Stir this well to blend and soak cotton pads in it.
- Close your eyes and place the pads over them. Lay back and relax for 20 minutes.
11. Spoon Treatment to Reduce Puffy Eyes
Another quick and easy method to get rid of puffy eyes are to use chilled metal spoons. This method requires no extra ingredients and can be done at home with absolutely no side effects. It is also a good substitute in case applying ice directly to your face is too uncomfortable.
- Take a glass of ice water and 4 stainless steel spoons. Let the spoons chill in the water.
- With one pair of chilled spoons, place one over each eye. Hold them in place till the spoon is no longer cold.
- Then switch to the other pair, while letting the first pair chill again.
- Repeat this procedure till there is improved results of reduced puffiness.
12. Massage to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes
Exercise will help to get the blood circulation flowing better in your entire body. Take a brisk walk, or go for a short run in the morning. If you don’t have time for this, then try massaging the area under your eyes. Massaging is a relaxing way to get rid of puffy eyes. Doing this will improve circulation. This helps to move the fluids from under your eyes, therefore reducing puffiness.
- With your middle finger, massage the skin under your eyes gently. Move them in a circular motion.
- If you feel your fingers aren’t soft enough, try this with a cotton ball.
- Repeat this procedure in the morning after your wake up.
