The skin around the eyes is very thin, rich in tiny blood vessels and can be prone to puffiness, dryness and sensitivity. Read on and discover natural eye care tips to help reduce tired and puffy eyes, and help you look less tired.
What causes tired and puffy eyes?
Fluid retention in the tissues under the eyes is one of the most common causes of puffy eyes. If this fluid builds up, the eyes may appear swollen or puffy. But while fluid retention is a common cause of swollen eyes, it is not the only reason why your eyes might look a little puffier than usual.
Other factors than can cause swollen, puffy eyes include:
- Hormonal changes
- Dehydration
- An allergic reaction
- Lifestyle changes, such as increasing your alcohol intake or not getting enough sleep
Tired, puffy eyes need products which:
- Soothe and calm
- Hydrate and cool
- Deliver anti-inflammatory action
- Support skin elasticity
How to get rid of puffy eyes quickly
If fluid builds up overnight and your eyes look puffy in the morning, you can quickly calm the swelling by applying a cold compress, such as an ice cube wrapped in a paper towel, over closed eyelids. If you prefer, you can soak cotton pads in a bowl of iced water, then rest the dampened pads over close eyes.
Once the eyes are dry and cool, apply a hydrating, anti-inflammatory eye cream for sensitive eyes. Our favourite anti-inflammatory active for sensitive, puffy eyes is Perilla oil. Exceptionally nourishing, Perilla oil has a repairing, soothing action and this natural ingredient helps our Scent Free Anti-Ageing Eye Cream to bring quick relief to puffy sensitive eyes.
Scent Free Eye Cream 10ml
A soothing, ultra-gentle & anti-ageing eye cream for very sensitive skin
£16.00
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Top Tip: For an extra cooling eye cream effect in the morning, store your eye cream in the fridge overnight!
Often puffy eyes will not pose a problem, but if your eyes feel red, itchy or sore, we recommend speaking to your pharmacist or GP for advice on managing puffy and uncomfortable eyes.
If puffy eyes appear after applying a skin care product around the eye area, you may be sensitive to one of the actives in your eye cream. In this instance, it is best to stop applying the product immediately.
Beauty tips for tired puffy eyes
You might not realise it but everything from the way you cleanse to the beauty products you use can affect your chances of experiencing puffy eyes.
If you are prone to puffy eyes, you might find the following increase your likelihood of puffy eyes:
- Leaving make-up residue on the eyes overnight
- Neglecting to nourish and hydrate the skin around the eye
- Exposing the skin around the eye to skin irritants such beauty products made with skin-drying alcohols and synthetic fragrance
Try making these changes to your beauty routine and see if you can reduce your chances of experiencing puffy and uncomfortable eyes`:
- Double cleanse after wearing eye make-up
- Keep the skin around the eye well-nourished with a hydrating daytime eye cream
- Hydrate the skin around the eyes at night with an elasticity-boosting night eye cream
- Reduce your use of eye care products containing skin-drying alcohol
- Keep your eye creams in the fridge
Older skin can also be more prone to puffy eyes. This is because a decline in skin elasticity increases the likeliness of fluid building-up around the eyes.
Elasticity starts to decline from the early twenties, so it is a good idea for those wishing to avoid puffy eyes to consider incorporating an eye cream into their routine which is rich in anti-inflammatory actives and supports the elasticity of the skin around the eyes.
The best eye creams for tired puffy eyes
The best eye serum for instant firming
AGE DEFY+ LINE ERASER SERUM
We use plant cell technology from Sea Holly Stem Cells to give this elasticity-boosting eye serum a powerful skin-firming effect that starts within 15 minutes of application. A 28-day trial using the ingredient showed that with consistent use, skin hydration increased by 95%, smoothness by 38% and tightness increased by 27%.
Age Defy+ Line Eraser Serum 10ml
Plant Stem Cell technology to target wrinkles around the eyes and lips
£25.00
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The best eye cream for morning
FIRMING EYE SERUM
This refreshing eye cream combines skin-firming Chicory with plant actives that help to reduce puffiness . Enriched with Marshmallow Root extract it soothes skin, calms inflammation and replenishes dry, tight uncomfortable eyes.
Firming Eye Serum 10ml
A refreshing, anti-ageing eye serum to tone, firm and reduce puffiness
£17.00
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The best eye cream for sensitive eyes
Made without fragrance and skin-drying alcohol, our Scent Free Anti Ageing Eye Cream is a saviour for sensitive puffy eyes. Enriched with gentle plant-actives including Baicalin, Squalane, Green Algae and Avocado, it delivers a hit of hydration whilst gently encouraging skin elasticity.
Scent Free Eye Cream 10ml
A soothing, ultra-gentle & anti-ageing eye cream for very sensitive skin
£16.00
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Gua sha for puffy eyes and eye bags
If you are prone to puffy eyes it is a good idea to invest in a soothing eye cream that’s made with natural actives that soothe, firm and support the skin around the eyes. You may also benefit from incorporating facial massage techniques into your beauty routine for puffy eyes.
Gently massaging the upper and lower eyelids can help push the excess fluids away from the eye area. You can also try using Gua Sha for puffy eyes and under eye bags.
Gua Sha is an ancient facial massage technique that helps to reduce tension and puffiness from the face and is a cheap and effective home-facial technique. Once purchased, your Gua Sha tool should last you a lifetime and can be used every day to gently drain puffiness away through the lymphatic system.
Using a Gua Sha for puffy eyes and eye bags is easy. Create slip with a scent-free facial oil, then gently sweep the Gua Sha under both eyes, taking care not to press on the skin too hard.