Cosmetic dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, concurs, specifically citing “alcohol, a high-sodium diet, not sleeping, or general stress as a whole” as the leading causes. Your body tries to store as much water as possible in response. Hayfever is another trigger as you body releases histamine, which can cause inflammation.
How to reduce under eye puffiness naturally
This depends, as Dr Maryam mentioned, on the cause of the puffiness, but if it’s primarily triggered by fluid retention, these simple measures can be surprisingly effective.
Change your sleep position
Sleeping on your back, with your head slightly elevated, will help to keep the circulation moving freely around your body and prevent fluid from pooling under the eyes. “This reduces overnight fluid accumulation,” says Dr Maryam.
Focus on quality sleep
It’s a simple one but “try to prioritise consistent sleep, as poor sleep can worsen inflammation and fluid retention,” explains Dr Maryam.
One of the oldest tricks in the book for how to decrease puffy eyes is a cold-spoon massage or cold compress. “Apply a cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes in the morning. Cooling constricts blood vessels and can temporarily reduce swelling. This is why eye masks are so popular,” notes Dr Maryam.
“A cold-spoon massage is one of the most simple and efficient treatments to reduce puffiness,” agrees Olga Skydan, a skincare expert and beautician at Luvly Face Yoga. “The coolness of the metal constricts blood vessels, reducing edema and puffiness.”
Simply take two clean metal spoons and place them in the freezer for a few minutes. Once they’re chilled, gently press them to the under-eye area. “Using light movements, move the spoons from the middle of the face outward,” says Olga. “Repeat each movement give times to improve lymph drainage.”
If cold spoons aren’t quite cutting it, you can intensify the cooling effect with ice packs or — in a pinch — ice cubes for puffy eye relief. “An ice pack can work wonders to reduce puffiness,” says Olga. “The cold helps to constrict blood vessels, alleviate swelling, and make your face feel more toned and refreshed.”
Gel ice packs are most gentle on skin, but Olga has an easy alternative. “Simply wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth or use a gel ice pack, and apply it gently to the areas where you’re feeling puffy, like under the eyes, along your jawline, and around the cheeks,” she says. “Hold it for about 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring you don’t apply direct ice to your skin.”
“Perform gentle lymphatic drainage massage around the orbital area to encourage fluid movement,” recommends Dr Maryam.
“This type of facial massage works by encouraging the movement of fluids away from areas where they accumulate, like your cheeks and undereye area,” says Olga. For smooth movements, you’ll want to apply a lubricant like your favourite face oil or moisturiser.
“To do a lymphatic massage, place your fingers gently on the centre of your face, near your nose, and move them outward toward your temples and down along your jawline.” Repeat the outward motion for three to five minutes. Don’t apply too much pressure — otherwise you could irritate your skin even further.
Indulging in alcohol or high-sodium foods can cause dehydration and make your body hold onto extra fluids, which in return leads to puffiness. That’s why it’s important to “stay hydrated throughout the day,” says Dr Maryam.
Beyond just water, Olga recommends drinking herbal teas like dandelion or ginger. “These have natural diuretic properties and help flush out excess fluid,” Olga says. “Electrolyte-infused water is a good option as well because it rehydrates your body while balancing your sodium and potassium levels, which can help reduce water retention.”
Treat allergies
If you have persistent puffy eyes, it may be worth visiting your GP to see if there’s a specific trigger in your environment. “Treat underlying allergies if present,” says Dr Maryam.
The best products that help to decrease puffy eyes
Before you get onto the mode of product (masks, eye creams or mists), there are some core ingredients you should be making sure they contain. Dr Maryam has outlined the most useful topical ingredients for puffiness below.