We've all been there — waking up with puffy eyes (or even a puffy face) the morning after a night of crying or an overly salty dinner. But those aren't the only common culprits; they can also be brought on by allergies, eye rubbing or even medical causes. Though having puffy eyes can sometimes feel uncomfortable, there are plenty of solutions to treat them. Between eye creams and undereye patches, you can kick puffy eyes to the curb in no time.
Nothing makes you appear exhausted like those telltale puffy eyes. Improve pesky undereye bags and look refreshed no matter how long your days are with secrets from GH Beauty Lab experts, dermatologists and an aesthetician. Ahead, we've broken down all things puffiness — from the causes of puffy eyes, best ways to get rid of puffy eyes instantly, best products to treat puffy eyes and even some at-home remedies that you can try with items in your kitchen — so that you can de-puff as easily and quickly as possible. Plus, read on to learn how to remove eye bags permanently.
Jump to:
- What causes puffy eyes?
- What causes puffy eyes in the morning?
- How to get rid of puffy eyes instantly
- Products that can help get rid of puffy eyes
- Can you remove eye bags permanently?
What causes puffy eyes?
Sometimes, lack of sleep is enough to cause puffy eyes. Other times, it may be a sign your body is trying to tell you to drink more water or consume a lower salt diet. There are many different possible causes, but here are some that experts say may be causing your puffy undereyes.
- Medical conditions: Some autoimmune disorders, infections and inflammatory issues may lead to chronically puffy eyes, including thyroid disease, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B, Lyme disease and Lupus, says Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey-based board-certified dermatologist Naana Boakye, M.D., M.P.H. Contact your physician if you have concerns.
- Salty food: "Eating foods with excess salt can cause you to retain fluid, leading to puffy eyes," says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and Associate Professor of Dermatology and Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
- Allergies: Rashes or allergic reactions, such as "contact dermatitis from skincare products, eye drops and eye makeup," may also trigger puffiness, Dr. Boakye says. These allergies "can cause blood vessels to become leaky, leading to swelling," Dr. Zeichner adds.
- Dehydration: Insufficient hydration, especially along with a high-salt diet, can make eyes puffy, Dr. Boakye says. When you're dehydrated, salt can become concentrated in the body, which pulls in water around eyes, Dr. Zeichner adds. To stop swelling, drink more water and reduce salt intake.
- Crying: Conversely, "eyes become puffy when there's excess fluid [like tears] in skin," Dr. Zeichner says. "This happens when fluid builds up or doesn't drain normally."
- Face anatomy: Fat compartments under eyes can create a puffy look, says Dr. Zeichner: "With age, fat pushes closer to skin's surface, making it more visible."
- Rubbing eyes: "Frequently rubbing eyes or aggressive eye makeup removal can cause low-grade trauma," Dr. Zeichner says, bringing on puffiness.
What causes puffy eyes in the morning?
Puffy eyes are common in the morning due to "reduced blood flow and lymphatic drainage around the eyes," says Dr. Boakye. In other words, this means that your blood hasn't been flowing as much while you've been still and sleeping, causing some puffiness.
How to get rid of puffy eyes instantly
From cold therapy to strategic use of cosmetics, a few smart tricks and home remedies can deflate bags in (almost) no time. Here are four ways to instantly revitalize eyes:
- Chill out. Applying an ice pack to the area will "constrict blood vessels and remove excess fluid to improve puffiness quickly," Dr. Zeichner says. For a similar effect, glide a skincare tool like an ice roller — or even a clean spoon chilled in the freezer — under eyes, advises GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. Eye treatments with metal
rollerball applicators, like her go-to Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller, can also cool and depuff. - Try cucumber slices. This spa secret "can help calm puffy eyes," says Genalyn Staines, an aesthetician at NakedMD Med Spa in Newport Beach, CA. Place a chilled cucumber slice over each closed eye until the slices feel warm. Or, stick on undereye patches (like GH Beauty Lab Test winner Patchology Rejuvenating Eye Gels), which are formulated to depuff eyes by delivering active ingredients, Dr. Zeichner says.
- Turn to tea bags. The classic remedy helps reduce puffiness thanks to the caffeine in the tea, which constricts blood vessels, Dr. Boakye says. Place cooled, steeped caffeinated tea bags over closed eyes while lying elevated on a pillow, Staines recommends.
- Cover carefully. Concealer can hide bags — if used correctly. "Choose a matte formula that matches your skin tone," advises Jenny Patinkin, a makeup artist and founder of the eponymous brand in Chicago. "Shades that are too light and the reflective finish of a radiant concealer can make you look more swollen." Try GH Beauty Lab test winner Benefit Cosmetics Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer.
Products that can help get rid of puffy eyes
Products with ingredients like green tea and caffeine can help get rid of puffy eyes, says Dr. Boakye (GH staffer favorite Olay Super Eyes Daily Eye Serum contains caffeine to help puffiness, plus other powerhouse ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide and more).
Alternatively, try one of our GH Beauty Lab top-tested eye revivers. These treatments noticeably quelled puffiness and reduced bags:
Speedy depuffer Mary Kay Instant Puffiness Reducer works like magic: This cream forms an invisible film to smooth bags rapidly. In Beauty Lab testing, before-and-after imaging showed an instant 27% decrease in puffiness, Lab analysis confirmed.
Tightening Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum firms up slack eye area skin with this "light" formula. It increased skin firmness by 33% and visibly improved undereye bags after four weeks of use, according to Lab testing.
A tester favorite, smoothing RoC Skincare Multi-Correxion Even Tone + Lift Eye Cream was a winner in Lab eye cream tests for reducing bags and lines. Users gave it the top score for diminishing puffiness, and it upped firmness by 19% after four weeks in Beauty Lab testing.
Can you remove eye bags permanently?
Yes, but there's a price. Lasting eye bag reduction requires professional treatments. Injectable fillers can improve the look of puffy undereyes, Dr. Zeichner says. Filler can be injected in the area between your undereye and the top of your cheek, "smoothing the area and hiding the puffiness," he says.
Another treatment option is PRF (platelet-rich fibrin), based on a healing and regenerating substance produced by the body. "During this procedure, a small amount of blood is drawn and processed to extract platelet-rich fibrin, which is then injected into the undereye area to stimulate collagen and elastin production," Staines explains. "This results in a more refreshed appearance, reducing dark circles and wrinkles." This treatment can be helpful, but results may be mild and often take multiple treatments over time, explains Dr. Zeichner.
In some cases, the only solution is a blepharoplasty, a "surgical correction, often performed by plastic surgeons, in which the fat compartments [under skin] are removed or repositioned," Dr. Zeichner says. If you have chronic or pronounced undereye puffiness or bags, consult a physician to identify the best treatment for you.
In the meantime, if you're not ready for permanent options, you can keep using eye creams and cooled skincare tools to decrease puffiness.
Catharine Malzahn
Beauty Assistant
Catharine (she/her) is the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.