causes of puffy eyes and how to get rid of it.

What Causes Puffy Eyes?

To understand how to treat puffy eyes, it’s important to look at the root of what might be causing it. There are many reasons for puffy eyes, but according to healthline, one of the most common reasons is aging. As our skin ages, it becomes increasingly more thin and weak, which can cause fat in your upper eyelid to fall and rest in your lower eyelid. It’s also more common for fluid to become trapped in the lower eyelid area as we age.

In addition to aging, a few other primary causes of puffy eyes include genetics, allergies, lack of sleep, fluid retention, sun damage and an unhealthy diet.

Evaluate Your Sleep Habits

Ensuring that you are getting enough sleep on a regularly basis can make a major difference when it comes to puffy eyes. According to sleep experts, adults need around 7 to 9-hours of sleep each nigh

If this isn’t the amount of sleeping you’re currently getting, it may be time to reevaluate some of your habits and lifestyle factors.

 To get a good night’s sleep, Mayo Clinic suggests creating a sleep schedule, turning off devices 1 to 2-hours before sleep, avoiding caffeine 6-hours before sleep, avoiding alcohol close to bedtime and finishing exercise several hours before bedtime.

Check Your Water Intake

Dehydration can lead to a long list of health issues and can also further contribute to puffy eyes. To keep your skin healthy, the general rule of thumb is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.

To encourage more water intake, you could always infuse your water with fruit to give it some flavor. You could also set up a system on your phone to remind you every hour to drink water, or purchase a water bottle that tracks your water intake throughout the day.

Use a Cold Compress

There are many beauty tools on the market that help to counteract puffy eyes, but if you don’t have any of these available to you, one of the most simple ways to reduce puff is to use a cold compress or cold spoon. This cooling effect can drain excess fluid from the eyelid area to help depuff.

Another simple at-home remedy is to use green or black tea bags. The tea bags contain antioxidants and caffeine which can reduce inflammation and constrict blood vessels to reduce puffiness.

Try an Eye Cream

The products you apply to your skin on a daily basis can have a significant impact on the appearance of your eyes. Many eye creams contain ingredients that help to counteract puffiness and are a helpful tool to add into your beauty routine, especially in the mornings.

A few ingredients to look for in an eye cream include cucumber, chamomile and arnica, which are known to help reduce inflammation, soothe and tighten the eye area.

Prop Yourself Up

Since fluid retention is a potential cause of puffy eyes, try propping yourself up at night to counteract this effect. You could try sleeping with a few pillows to keep your head upright and to avoid fluid settling around your eye area while you rest.

There are specific pillows, called wedge pillows, that can help you stay propped up while you sleep, or you could simply stack a few pillows under your head for a similar effect.

Reduce Sodium Intake

Intaking too much sodium can result in inflammation and fluid retention in the body, which can contribute to the appearance of puffy eyes. It can also lead to serious health conditions such as heart issues and stroke.

Make a conscious effort to limit your salt intake if you’re experiencing puffy eyes and you might be surprised at the results. A few foods that are high in sodium that you should try to avoid include instant soups, cured meats, cheese, breads, and other processed foods. Instead, try to add more whole foods such as fruits and vegetables into your diet.

Increase Potassium Intake

Potassium is known for its ability to rid the body of excess fluid. Next time you experience puffy eyes, try increasing your potassium intake and see if this works for you. A few examples of foods with high potassium include bananas, beans, yogurt, and leafy greens.

If you find that you already consume a lot of potassium and aren’t seeing much change, you could also discuss with your doctor about incorporating a potassium supplement to your daily routine.