How to get rid of puffy eyes, according to experts

We have all been there — waking up with puffy eyes the morning after a night of crying or an overly salty dinner. But sometimes, puffy eyes (or even a puffy face) are more than just an inconvenient side effect of the night before: They can be brought on by various infections, allergies or other medical causes.

Though having puffy eyes can sometimes feel uncomfortable, there are plenty of solutions to treat them. By using eye creams and undereye patches, you can kick puffy eyes to the curb in no time. Ahead, with the help of skin-care experts, we have broken down everything so you can de-puff as easily and quickly as possible.

WHAT CAUSES PUFFY EYES?

Sometimes, lack of sleep is enough to cause puffy eyes. Other times, it may be a sign that your body is trying to tell you to drink more water or consume a lower-salt diet. There are many possible causes, but here are some that experts have said might cause puffy undereyes.

— Medical conditions: Several infections, autoimmune disorders or inflammatory issues may lead to puffy eyes. These could include Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B, Lyme disease, lupus or thyroid disease, dermatologist Naana Boakye said. Contact your physician if you have any concerns.

— Salty food: “Eating salty food can cause you to retain fluid, leading to puffiness,” said Joshua Zeichner, dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

— Eye rubbing: “Frequent eye rubbing or even aggressive removal of eye makeup can cause low-grade trauma,” Zeichner said. That persistent rubbing can, in turn, create puffy eyes.

— Allergies: Allergic reactions, rashes or bites may also cause puffiness, such as “contact dermatitis to facial creams, eye drops and eye makeup,” Boakye said. These allergies “can cause blood vessels to become leaky, leading to swelling and puffiness,” Zeichner added.

— Dehydration: Yes, dehydration can cause puffy eyes. A high-salt diet, especially in combination with an insufficient amount of hydration, can create puffiness, Boakye explained. Simply put, “drink plenty of water,” she said.

WHAT CAUSES PUFFY EYES IN THE MORNING? Puffy eyes are common in the morning, as a result of “stasis of blood flow and lymphatics around the eyes,” Boakye said. In other words, this means your blood has not been flowing as much while you have been still and sleeping, causing some puffiness.

WHAT CAUSES PUFFY EYES AFTER CRYING?

If you have experienced puffiness in your eyelids or general orbital area after crying, you are not alone. “Eyes become puffy when there is excess fluid in the skin,” Zeichner said. “This can be caused by extra fluid buildup or when fluid does not drain the way it normally does.” Essentially, this means your eyes’ drainage system may be clogged after crying as a result of the extra fluid (tears).

HOW TO GET RID OF PUFFY EYES INSTANTLY

Cool temperatures are the name of the game if you want to reduce puffiness instantaneously. An easy solution that Zeichner recommends is using an ice pack, which will “constrict blood vessels and remove excess fluid to improve puffiness rapidly,” he said.

If you are looking for another quick fix, invest in a skincare tool. “I personally use a jade roller that I keep in my freezer, but you can also use an ice roller,” said Danusia Wnek, Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab senior chemist.

Changing your lifestyle habits can also help. For quick results, Boakye advised getting enough sleep and decreasing your salt intake.

PRODUCTS THAT CAN HELP GET RID OF PUFFY EYES Products with ingredients such as green tea and caffeine can help get rid of puffy eyes, Boakye said. Wnek said she loves the Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller.

Eye creams and undereye patches can also work over time. Try the Good Housekeeping Seal Star Mary Kay Timewise Age Minimize 3D Eye Cream, a winner in the lab’s eye-cream test. This product won the top score among testers for de-puffing and diminishing undereye bags, as well as firming the undereye area. If you prefer an undereye patch, try lab-test winner Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels, which testers found to have a pleasant fragrance, stay put easily and hydrate skin. Lab results also showed these gels diminish fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes.

Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winner Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum is a great multitasking option. Another winner in the lab’s eye-cream test, this serum earned top scores in consumer and in-lab testing for de-puffing and getting rid of undereye bags. Thanks to the inclusion of retinol, this product also tackles crow’s feet at the same time.

AT-HOME REMEDIES FOR PUFFY EYES

— Reach for a spoon from the utensil drawer. Using a cold tool on your eyes feels great on the skin and helps de-puff. “If you don’t want to spend extra money on a new tool, you can use a spoon,” Wnek said. “Keep it in the fridge or freezer before use. I recommend having a separate spoon for this.”

— Head to the fridge. “Sliced cucumbers can help,” said Genalyn Staines, a licensed esthetician at NakedMD Med Spa in Newport Beach, California. Place the chilled slices on your eyes until the cucumbers start to feel warm.

— Grab some tea from the pantry. Green tea, which Staines deemed “the magical bag,” helps with puffiness under the eyes. She recommended placing the cooled, steeped teabags on your eyes while lying elevated on a pillow. Plus, caffeine can help with vasoconstriction (the constriction of blood vessels) as well, Boakye noted. Dark circles under the eyes can appear reduced.