If the eyes are the windows of the soul, wouldn’t it be great if those windows had nice curtains? But alas, for a host of reasons, our eyes and their immediate surroundings can be quick to show signs of stress and exhaustion. And aside from wanting one’s peepers to look nice and shine brightly, tired puffy eyes simply just don’t feel great.
There are all kinds of very expensive over-the-counter beauty treatments for eyes, but in my experience, few of them are worth it. (Though I did find one that is a bit miraculous, more on that below.) So with all of this in mind, consider these approaches as a first line of defense against puffy and/or dark, tired eyes. Some are novel, some have been used for generations – some will work for some, others for will work others. Take them for a spin and see what happens.
1. Cold compress
Cold things reduce swelling which can be salvation for puffy eyes. Plus, a cold compress on the eyes is very rejuvenating and is almost as good as coffee for waking you up. Use ice wrapped in a soft cloth, a chilled eye mask, a package of frozen vegetables or even a pair of chilled spoons.
2. Chamomile tea
This natural remedy from the granny playbook is a classic one. Has it been proven by science? Not exactly, but chamomile is reported to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and subjecting your eyes to a chilled tea bag gives the benefit of a cold compress as well. I like to brew a cup of tea, remove the bag, chill it, and let it rest on my eyes – if nothing else, it is very refreshing and gives a nice second use to old tea bags. (Keep in mind that some people have allergic reactions to chamomile.)
3. Sliced cucumbers
Is there a stock photo of a woman at the spa without cucumbers on her (already) perfect eyes? I’ve always attributed the power of cucumbers to the cold-compress factor, but it’s possible that there are antioxidants at play, which are thought to reduce irritation – or so notes Huffington Post when they explored the topic:
“If puffiness is accompanied by irritation, home remedies like cucumbers or chamomile tea can help reduce the inflammation and swelling,” says dermatologist Dr. Gregory Nikolaidis. “Cucumbers have powerful antioxidants and flavinoids that are thought to reduce irritation. And they need to be chilled for a reason, as he points out that “cold cucumbers or tea bags also work in part by the cooling effects of evaporation, and are best applied for four to five minutes.”
Note: If you remove the peel first they are more comfortable.
4. Movement
Dr. Nikolaidis also says that temporary eye puffiness around the eyes is often caused by a buildup of lymphatic fluid – in which case encouraging lymphatic drainage through massage or exercise “helps more than cosmetic creams.” Exercise, you know how to do that … but here’s a good tutorial on how to properly massage the eyes.
5. Lifestyle
Here’s the one nobody wants to hear. Eat less salty food, drink more water and less alcohol, don’t smoke, do exercise, don’t skimp on sleep. Yawn, I know, but if fresh bright eyes are important, these steps will help. Plus, they are better for overall health.
