Slideshow: Banish the Bags Under Your Eyes
Curb the Salt
Put down that salt shaker! Water will always find its way from parts of your body that are low in sodium to those that have the most. The area around your eyes is a prime example. That’s why a dinner loaded with salt often results in morning-after puffiness.
Manage Your Allergies
Allergy season and watery, puffy eyes go hand-in-hand. Here’s the good news: Those over-the-counter medicines that you take for your allergies, colds, or sinus infections can dry up your puffy eyes -- along with your runny nose.
Use a Neti Pot
Try a neti pot. Use this gizmo, which looks like a small teapot, to pour salt water into one nostril and let it drain out the other. It sounds weird, but it might help flush out all that extra moisture in your sinuses from seasonal allergies, colds, or infections.
Switch Your Sleep Position
Are you a side or stomach sleeper? Gravity causes fluid to collect under your eyes, which might explain those pesky bags. Try to sleep on your back and add an extra pillow under your head.
Take Your Makeup Off Before Bed
Don’t hit the hay with your eye makeup on. It can make your eyes water, and cause a case of morning-after puffiness. Wash off the gunk with soap and water, or use a remover every night.
Go Easy on the Alcohol
A glass of wine is fine, but don’t overdo it. Why? Booze can pull the water out of your skin. Once you weaken the delicate area around your eyes, it's more likely to sink into a pouch. If you do tie one on, drink water before you go to bed and use a moisturizer around your eyes.
Protect Your Eyes From UV Rays
You do a lot to protect your body from sunlight. Are you doing the same for your face? Too much sun can make the skin around your eyes sag or wrinkle. Use sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats to protect your face from harmful rays.
Don’t Smoke
Want another reason to kick the habit? Smoking can dry and weaken the skin on your face. Say no to smokes and save yourself from wrinkled, droopy eyes.
Give Your Eyes a Cooldown
Got swollen eyes? Chill them out! A cold compress can ease puffiness. Try chilled spoons, cucumber slices, or tea bags. What you use doesn’t matter -- the low temperature does the work.
Consider Eye Cream
Store shelves groan under the weight of creams and lotions made to reduce puffy eyes. Try them out to see if one works for you. Here's one product to avoid: Don’t use old-fashioned hemorrhoid cream. It can irritate the skin around your eyes. Try a retinol eye cream instead.
Cover Up
Are dark circles a problem? You can often hide them with concealer. Choose one that matches your skin tone. Apply it by lightly patting it on -- don't try to rub it in.
Sources Medically Reviewed on 12/17/2020 Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on December 17, 2020
IMAGES PROVIDED BY:
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3) Thinkstock / Jim Mills / iStock
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7) © Michael Keller/CORBIS
8) Getty Images /Adam Gault OJO Images
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SOURCES:
Kimara Ahnert, makeup artist and owner, Kimara Ahnert Makeup Studio, New York.
Joseph Eviatar, MD, surgical director of cosmetic care, Chelsea Eye & Cosmetic Surgery, New York.
Valerie Goldburt, MD, PhD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology, NYC Langone Medical Center.
Mayo Clinic: “Allergies: Treatments and Drugs.”
Brent Moelleken, MD, Moelleken Plastic Surgery, Beverly Hills, CA.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: “5 Things To Know About Complementary Health Approaches for Seasonal Allergy Relief.”
Skin Cancer Foundation: “Protect Your Eyes: Everyday Steps to Sun Safety.”
SmokeFree.gov: “18 Ways Smoking Affects Your Health.”
Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on December 17, 2020
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.