No More Tired-Looking Eyes
When it comes to our facial appearance, achieving a flawless complexion is essential. However, if you have bags under your eyes, then this could potentially ruin the look that you’re trying to achieve. Read on to learn about what eye bags are, what causes them and how to get rid of under eye bags.
5 Ways to Get Rid of Under Eye Bags and Puffy Eyes
There are many treatment options that can help you treat bags under eyes, including natural, at-home remedies and products you can purchase from brands and retails.
1. Apply Tea Bags
If you love to sip the tea, then don’t throw away caffeinated tea bags. These contain powerful antioxidants that protect against the anti-aging process and increase blood flow to the skin. This at-home remedy is easy to do, simple and inexpensive. After all, you can buy tea at any price from many grocery stores.
Before applying the tea bags, allow them to brew for three to five minutes, then place in the fridge for 20 minutes. After this time, squeeze out the extra liquid and apply to your under-eye area. Let the bags rest under your eyes for 15 to 30 minutes. However, this technique isn’t ideal if you want instant results.
2. Stay Hydrated
60% of your body is made up of water, so stay hydrated — it’s essential for your health! Dehydration can contribute to the appearance of under eye bags, so increase your intake and make sure you drink eight glasses of water per day. If you don’t like the taste of water, you can infuse your glasses of water with fresh fruit, such as berries or sliced lemons.
3. Take an Antihistamine
Allergies can cause puffy eyes, so try to avoid allergy triggers wherever possible and take an antihistamine to prevent irritating your immune system. You can buy these over the counter at the pharmacy.
4. Use Retinol Cream
The aging process can cause bags under the eyes, so adding retinol to your skincare routine may help. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and can help combat skin issues such as acne, collagen deficiency and psoriasis. However, you cannot use retinol creams if you are pregnant and it’s best to use the product at night. If you use retinol creams during the day, it’s best to use SPF as well.
To start off, try Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream. This product works by softening the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Enriched with antioxidants, natural extracts and grapeseed oil, this cream nourishes and soothes the skin. Best of all, it is cruelty-free, vegan and comes available in sustainable packaging. To use, apply at night three times a week.
5. Wear Sunscreen
Regardless of your skin tone and the climate, you should wear sunscreen every day (SPF30 or more) to protect your skin against the sun’s UV rays and combat premature aging and under eye bags. Try the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Face Sunscreen SPF 60.
This non-comedogenic, oil-free sunscreen is suitable for acne-prone and oily skin, protects the skin from the sun’s rays and contains antioxidants that shield against free radicals. Apply a generous amount 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours. Apply daily and use with vitamin C serum, such as the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum. You can also avoid the sun’s harmful rays by sitting in the shade, wearing protective clothing and avoiding tanning beds.
What are Eye Bags?
According to Mayo Clinic, bags under eyes are “mild swelling or puffiness under the eyes. They're common as you age and the tissues around your eyes weaken, including some of the muscles supporting your eyelids. Fat that helps support the eyes can then move into the lower eyelids, causing them to appear puffy.” Eye bags don’t cause health problems but to some people, they can affect a typical makeup look. (Unless the eye bags are covered up using foundation or concealer.)
What Causes Eye Bags?
There are many causes of eye bags. Age is a big factor for under eye bags, because the tissues around your eyes weaken and the skin starts to sag. Genetics may be another factor as some people find that they are more likely to develop under eye bags in comparison to other people and under eye bags can run in families.
Bodily changes and triggers, such as fluid retention, allergies and medical conditions can cause you to develop bags under the eyes. Lifestyle factors such as smoking and lack of sleep can also cause under eye bags.
How to Avoid Getting Eye Bags
There are many ways to avoid getting eye bags. Of course, there are certain factors you can’t control, such as medical conditions, aging (we’re all going to get older) and genetics. (We can’t help the DNA we’re born with.)
You can prevent or reduce the likelihood of getting under eye bags by following these top tips:
- Control your allergies if possible. For example, if you suffer with hay fever, make sure you take hay fever medication before encountering pollen.
- Stop smoking as it can affect your overall health.
- Consume a healthy, balanced diet.
- Watch your stress levels.
- Get plenty of good-quality sleep every night. You should aim for 7-9 hours per night and practice good sleep hygiene by going to bed at the same time every night.
- Watch your salt intake to prevent fluid retention, which causes under eye bags.
- Watch out for environmental pollutants, which can cause premature aging and various skin issues (such as breakouts). If you live in a highly polluted area, you should wear a ‘city shield’ that contains vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects the skin’s surface from oxidative damage caused by environmental pollutants and UV rays.
- Wear sunscreen to protect the skin and prevent sun damage. Use sunscreen with vitamin C to prevent hyperpigmentation and hydrate the skin.