Is it just us, or do puffy eyes and under-eye bags have a way of showing up when they’re least welcome? While they’re certainly not the end of the world, puffy eyes can be a cue to take care of yourself.

That said, puffiness under the eyes doesn’t have a singular cause. If anything, “there are a variety of factors behind puffy eyes, many of which are a combination of genetics and environment,” says NakedPoppy skin specialist Tara Parenti. 

The bright side? The solution is delightfully straightforward.

But first, here’s a cheat sheet to all things puffy:

  • Puffy eyes are most often caused by genetics, lack of sleep, and changes in skin that happen naturally over time
  • To get rid of puffiness in the morning, blink a few times, cool the area, and apply eye cream with caffeine
  • To prevent puffy eyes, stay hydrated and use a dedicated eye cream

Keep reading for all the deets on what causes puffy eyes — and how you can shrink them.

What causes puffy eyes?

First, puffy eyes usually result from two things: fluid buildup and thin skin. “Swelling around the eyes is caused by an accumulation of fluids, like water or blood, in the surrounding skin tissue,” says NakedPoppy research scientist Marisa Plescia. “It can be caused by a combination of reasons — genetics, lack of sleep, allergies, diet, aging, and even crying.” (Note that in some rare cases, puffy eyes can be a symptom of a medical issue. It’s worth consulting your doctor.)

Here, a look at the three most common culprits, and what to do about them.

Natural changes in the skin

First, the structure of your face changes over time, and that includes your eyes. “Over time, the muscles that support our upper lid weaken and fat deposits to the lower lids, causing it to bulge out and look puffy,” explains Parenti. 

Not only that, but the notoriously delicate skin around the eyes doesn’t help matters. “Because the skin around the eyes is already very thin, this can make the swelling appear prominent,” says Plescia. In fact, skin only gets thinner with age, exacerbating the puffiness.

Lack of sleep

Sleep next to a serial snorer? They might be the source of your puffy eyes. “Studies of sleep deprivation have found increased swollen eyes with increased fatigue,” says Plescia [1]. “Lack of sleep tends to increase the retention of blood and fluid around the eyes.” A good night’s sleep is key to healthy skin, so consider this as yet another reason to turn in early (or invest in earplugs).

Genetics

Genes determine a ton of physical traits, and puffiness is no exception. “Puffy eyes are hereditary, meaning in some but not all cases, they’re a physical trait passed down from your family,” says Plescia. “Some people genetically have more fat pads beneath their eyes, leading to the appearance of puffy eyes.”

Allergies

If your puffy eyes come with a side of sneezing, allergies might be to blame. “The histamine released to fight off allergens can cause sensitivity, resulting in eye puffiness,” says Parenti. The good news? If it’s a seasonal thing, your eyes might be back to normal by summer. But maybe you don’t want to spend a whole season with puffy eyes — if that’s the case, scroll on down to learn how to get rid of puffy eyes.

How do you get rid of puffiness under the eyes?

The good news is, shrinking puffy eyes is often a matter of understanding the physiology of the skin (and what’s going on underneath it). Here are a few science-backed ways to de-puff:

Blink. Seriously. Doing so gets the fluid build-up under the eyes to get moving. 

“When you sleep, your eyes are closed and non-blinking eyelids during sleep can retain fluid and swell,” Plescia says. “When you wake up and start blinking, the action moves the retained fluids and these can be absorbed back in circulation.” Easy enough, right?

Cool it down

Not only do cold temps help reduce inflammation, but it can also reduce swelling by restricting the blood flow to the area. 

The mode of cooling doesn’t really matter — a cold compress, refrigerated spoon, or even chilled cucumber slices can work, as can a refrigerated gua sha tool or face roller (which can also help manually get fluids moving). “You only need a minute or two to see the effects and revitalize the eyes,” says Plescia. 

Go for joe

Caffeine really is a morning must-have, even for your eyes. “Caffeine is a natural, but mild vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows blood vessels,” explains Plescia. “This can help reduce the appearance of dark circles or puffy eyes as there is less potential for fluid or leakage into the vessels, leading to less visible swelling.” 

You could soak actual (caffeinated!) tea bags in water, chill them, and then apply them to closed eyes for a few minutes for a one-two punch of cold and caffeine. 

Or, of course, certain eye creams contain caffeine-rich ingredients, such as green tea — as is the case with KYPRIS Ad Astra Nighttime Eye Cream.

How to prevent puffy eyes

An eye cream is always a good idea, as we’ve said before, since the fragile skin around the eyes deserves extra TLC. And for puffy eyes, it’s no exception. Odacité Baobab Sarsaparilla Eye Serum Concentrate pairs nourishing baobab oil with a blend of botanicals that work to de-puff eyes, improve dark circles, and tackle fine lines, while Indie Lee Restorative Eye Cream offers a hydration boost with hyaluronic acid. And don’t forget, when you take the 3-min NakedPoppy assessment, you’ll get matched with the perfect eye cream for you.

A few tweaks to your lifestyle habits could also go a long way. “Try to get adequate sleep, increase water intake to maintain cellular hydration, support gut health to encourage consistent regularity and excretion, minimize alcohol consumption and salt intake, and avoid or minimize exposure to allergens,” says Parenti.

Proper hydration — we’re talking good old H2O — should be high on your list. Adding more water may sound counterintuitive, since water retention leads to puffy eyes, but it’s really a matter of balance. “When fluid levels in your body are low, your body tries to retain as much fluid as possible,” explains Plescia. “So, if you are dehydrated, this could trigger fluid retention and can cause your eyes to become puffy and swollen.” That’s why alcohol and excess salt intake, both of which are naturally dehydrating, can also cause puffy eyes.

But remember, says Parenti, “some people are just genetically prone to puffy eyes.” So a glass of rosé with dinner or binge-watching a new show at night may not necessarily make or break it. Anyway, puffiness or not, a little indulgence is almost always worth it.

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References

[1] Studies of sleep deprivation have found increased swollen eyes with increased fatigue:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3738045/