Waking up in the morning with puffy eyes can ruin your entire day. Though it is frustrating it is also one of the most common problems that we face.
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According to the Mayo Clinic,
“Mild swelling or puffiness under the eyes are common as you age. With aging, the tissues around your eyes, including some of the muscles supporting your eyelids, weaken. Normal fat that helps support the eyes can then move into the lower eyelids, causing the lids to appear puffy. Fluid also may accumulate in the space below your eyes, adding to the swelling.
Bags under eyes are usually a cosmetic concern and rarely a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. At-home remedies, such as cool compresses, can help improve the appearance of bags under eyes. For persistent or bothersome under-eye puffiness, cosmetic treatments are available.”
Causes of puffy eyes
Puffy eyes can be caused by a number of factors, such as,
- Swelling of eyes because of excessive crying
- Excessive stress, physical or mental
- Genetics
- Hormonal imbalance in the body
- Sinus problems
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of proper sleep
- Allergic reactions of various kinds
- Change in weather
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of eye puffiness are,
- Mild swelling
- Saggy skin
- Dehydrated skin
- Dark circles
- Fine lines around the eyes
You should visit the doctor when,
- The swelling is severe and persistent
- The puffiness is accompanied by redness, itching or pain
- Affects parts of your body apart from your eyes, for example the skin on your entire face starts becoming dry and swollen
Suggested read: The complete guide on how to get beautiful, sparkling eyes with home remedies
Our swollen up eyes can make us appear tired and even ill at times. Here are a few home remedies for puffy eyes that can help you take care of the problem, in no time. These remedies are natural, simple, inexpensive and easily available.
Home remedies for puffy eyes
The following ten remedies will help you get rid of the puffiness in your eyes, and give them a healthy sparkle.
1. Water
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One of the best and simplest ways to prevent puffy eyes or fight the symptoms, is to drink adequate amount of water. Our body needs to be well hydrated at all times. The under-eye area lacks sebaceous glands because of which it tends to be drier than the skin covering other parts of our body, and so water gets retained in this area to keep it from drying up further. When we drink a proper quantity of water, there is a less chance of water getting accumulated under the eyes. This, in turn, helps in getting rid of puffy eyes. Water also washes out the toxins of the body, making our eyes look fresher and healthier.
Remedies
- To stay properly hydrated, through the day, drink about 8 to 10 glasses of water, every single day.
- Additionally, reduce the amount of salt you take as that will automatically reduce water retention in the body.
- Furthermore, avoid drinks like tea and coffee and also aerated beverages as they have the tendency to dehydrate our body.
2. Cold Spoons
The other very simple home remedy to help cure puffy eyes is cold spoons. This home remedy not only assists you to get rid of puffy eyes, but also tightens the skin around the eyes. It relaxes the blood vessels in the area, and thus, offers relief to your eyes.
Remedies
- In your refrigerator, chill 6 metal spoons, for about 15 minutes.
- Now use the rounded portion of two of the spoons to cup your eyes. Keep them on for about 2 to 3 minutes or until the spoons become warm.
- As soon as the spoons on your eyes warm up, replace them with the other cold ones from the fridge.
3. Tea Bags
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Tea bags can help soothe puffy eyes. It does not matter whether you use green tea bags or black tea bags, both help to calm irritated eyes.
Tea bags contain anti-inflammation and anti-irritant properties which makes them an ideal home remedy to reduce swelling around the eyes.
Tea bags also provide relief from redness, soreness and inflammation of eyes.
Remedies
- Take two soaked tea bags (green or black) and put them in the refrigerator for half an hour.
- Now lie down and place the cold tea bags over your eyelids.
- Leave them on for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- You need to repeat this remedy at least thrice a day, until you see positive results.
4. Cucumbers
Cucumbers when chilled can be used as a great remedy to cure puffy eyes. Cucumber contains enzymes and works as an astringent to reduce the inflammation and irritation around the eyes. It also tightens the skin around the eyes and helps get rid of fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles that might have occurred prematurely.
Remedies
- Wash a juicy cucumber and cut it into thick slices.
- Now place the slices in the refrigerator and allow them to chill for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Once chilled, place these slices on your eyelids.
- After 10 minutes, or once the slices become warm, replace them will cold slices from the fridge.
- You need to repeat this remedy at least a couple times a day, until you see desired results.
Suggested read: 9 essential daily eye care tips for clear and beautiful eyes
5. Egg Whites
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Egg whites help drive out under-eye bags and prevent wrinkles and fine lines. It also tightens the skin around our eyes giving them a younger-looking glow. Most importantly, however, egg whites help get rid of puffy eyes.
Remedies
- In a bowl, separate the whites from 2 eggs.
- Whip the egg whites, using a blender, so that it is thorough.
- Once the consistency is stiff, add about 5 to 6 drops of hazel, which acts as a skin-tightening astringent.
- Now, using a brush or a soft cloth, apply the whites under your eyes.
- Allow the paste to dry.
- After around 15 to 20 minutes, wash your eyes with lukewarm water.
- You need to perform this once a day until your eyes feel better.
6. Potatoes
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Like cucumbers, potatoes too help get rid of puffy eyes. This is because of the starch present in potatoes that gives them an anti-inflammatory property. As a result, potatoes work as effective remedies for puffiness around the eyes, and also help prevent dark circles.
Remedies
- Peel a medium-sized potato.
- Now wash the potato and let it dry.
- Once dry, grate the potato into fine shavings and place the shaving in a clean washcloth.
- Place the cloth on your eyes, and lie down for about half an hour.
7. Cold Water
If you are an insomniac and that is the reason behind your swollen eyes, the cold water therapy can help you treat the puffiness. This is because cold water constricts our blood vessels, which in turn, lessens the swelling.
Remedies
- Every day, rinse your eyes with splashes of ice-cold water.
- You need to do this at least three times a day.
- You may also fill a small bag with ice, and place it on your eyes. You should repeat it two to three times a day for best results.
8. Salt Water
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Hot saline water can work wonders on puffy eyes. This simple yet effective home remedy cures swelling under the eyes, in no time. Salt gets rid of the fluid retained around the eyes, by process of osmosis.
Remedies
- In a bowl, take 4 cups of water.
- Now add half a teaspoon of salt and mix.
- Heat the water but do not make it too hot.
- Now, soak clean cotton balls into the saline water and prepare eye pads of it.
- Place these pads on your eyes, and lie down from 10 minutes.
- You need to repeat this several times a day for best results.
9. Strawberries
Strawberries contain hydroxyl acid which can smoothen the skin around our eyes and reduce under-eye puffiness, irritation and swelling.
Remedies
- In a bowl, drop some clean strawberries.
- Place the bowl in the refrigerator for half an hour.
- Now cut the strawberries into thin slices.
- Place the slices on the eyes and lie down for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- You need to repeat this remedy once every day, until your eyes start feeling better.
Suggested read: The ONLY 9 strawberry face mask recipes you need for soft, glowing skin
10. Aloe Vera
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Aloe Vera contains antioxidants and vitamin E, which is really effective in getting rid of puffy eyes. Also it tightens the skin around our eyes, and makes it free of wrinkles and fine lines.
When you apply aloe vera gel around the eyes, it also improves the circulation of blood in that area, by flushing out hoarded water and fluids from around the eyes. This, consequently, reduces swelling.
Remedies
- Extract the gel from a freshly obtained aloe vera leaf.
- Now apply it around your eyes.
- Be very careful during application because it can harm your eyes if it enters them.
- Also, if you cannot get pure aloe vera gel, use a skincare product that has aloe vera as its base.
Finally, in case you have puffy eyes again, you can use these home remedies to get rid of the same. However, if the puffiness around your eyes is accompanied by itchiness and blurry vision, you need to consult a doctor, immediately.
That is a wrap on home remedies for puffy eyes. Was this guide helpful? Let us know in the comment section below.
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