Best Way to Reduce Under-Eye Puffiness

Under-eye puffiness can be triggered by a number of factors, including water retention, allergies, colds, constipation, sleep deprivation, the overuse of eye products and even too much sleep. A damp environment can also exacerbate the problem (the day that I moved out of a damp basement flat my under-eye bags diminished). However, if under-eye bags or puffiness seem to be with you permanently, pockets of fat or slack muscles could be the culprits; short of surgery, there is little that you can do to solve this problem.

Solutions

• Gentle massage around the eye area will help to promote fluid drainage, oxygenate cells and alleviate puffiness. Lightly tap around the eye socket and brow bone daily with your index finger, tapping twenty times on each spot.

• Use an eye gel or balm rather than cream in the mornings, such as Swisscare Pour Givenchy’s Double Sequence Eye Contour Firming Balm, Erno Lazlo’s pHelitone Firmly Eye Gel Mask, YSL’s Smoothing Eye Contour Gel or Synergie’s Eye Gel Bio-Contour.
• For an instant fix, lie down for ten minutes and cover eyes with a cold, refreshing eye mask, such as The Body Shop’s Blue Gel Mask or Borghese’s Eye Compresses. DIY alternatives include cucumber, raw potato slices or chilled tea bags.
• If you think that your puffiness could be due to water retention, cut down on salty, spicy and smoked foods and alcohol.
• Try sleeping either with an extra pillow or with the top of your bed raised a few inches – the elevation will encourage drainage.
• Drink at least two litres of water a day to help your body to eliminate any waste products and toxins that could be provoking the condition; this will also help to prevent water retention.

• Eye products, face creams or make-up could be triggering puffiness. Do not apply products too close to eyes and try switching brands.
• Permenant under-eye puffiness caused by pockets of fat can be effectively removed by lower-eye surgery.