In the quest for a smoother, brighter complexion, learning how to get rid of eye bags can feel like an intimidating task. You might be wondering if it’s possible to smooth and de-puff eye bags for good, or if alleviating them requires a trip to your dermatologist. The short answer is yes, there are ways to get rid of eye bags fast. With certain lifestyle changes to minimize eye bags, the right products, and the right treatments, smoother and less puffy eyes are possible.
What are the causes of undereye bags?
“For many individuals, undereye bags appear due to the loss of natural volume under the eyes as we age, resulting in puffy eye pockets under the lower eyelid,” explains dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. “This volume reduction is caused by decreased collagen and elastin production as we age, which helps keep skin firm and smooth.” Per Dr. Natasha Sandy, reduced collagen and elastin levels can begin as early as age 25. Experts also cite lack of sleep, genetics, lifestyle, eczema, or allergic reactions as other causes.
Oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton explains that “below the skin surface, there are layers consisting of muscle, connective tissue, ligaments, and fat that all contribute to the changes we see externally.” And although it’s tempting to simply start avid application of the latest undereye cream (and that is one solution!), Dr. Jeanniton adds that “we have to approach the problem from a more holistic perspective.”
Is it possible to get rid of undereye bags?
Like many skin conditions, the answer varies—and oftentimes, it is dependent on how deep your undereye bags are. Generally speaking, Dr. Green says, “There are many non-surgical treatments that can help reduce the appearance of undereye bags and dark circles, although they are not permanent solutions.” She continues that these non-surgical approaches can be long-lasting and are an extremely effective option for those who are not ready for surgery. However, if topical treatments do not work, experts say a surgery called blepharoplasty might be best to get rid of eye bags for good. In any case, always consult with your trusted skin expert (plastic surgeon Dr. Anil Shah advises consulting with both surgical and non-surgical specialists) to determine the right treatment for you. Ahead, we’ve tapped eight of the industry’s leading doctors to detail the best ways to alleviate under-eye bags.
- Eye bags are caused by reduced collagen and elastin levels, but also lack of sleep, certain health conditions like eczema or allergies, and genetics.
- There are many ways to treat undereye bags, including using skincare products, improving your diet, getting enough sleep, and using cold compresses.
How to get rid of eye bags naturally at home
There are a lot of holistic and habitual things you can look at to treat your undereye bags. They include:
Improve your diet
“So, only intermittent eyebags are going to respond to these at-home therapies,” Dr. Shah explains, citing that embracing a healthier, whole food-rich diet is a great first step. Salty foods are “common culprits of water retention,” Dr. Jeanniton says, and water retention is one factor that can affect the appearance of eye bags. “If you have a lot of salt in your body, then the water is going to move towards the area where there is more salt to decrease the concentration of that.” Collagen supplements, any foods with vitamin A, like carrots and peppers, as well as foods rich in vitamin C, are helpful in counteracting this, as they are anti-inflammatory and water-soluble. Pineapples contain Bromelain to “prevent swelling and puffiness,” Dr. Sandy adds. “You can take these things throughout the day in vitamin form in juices, or as whole foods.”
Avoid alcohol
“Drinking alcohol can dehydrate your body, weakening elasticity under the eyes,” Dr. Green explains. “If you suffer with this, you definitely want to decrease your alcohol intake,” Dr. Sandy adds. If you are going to drink, accompany any alcohol with copious amounts of water.
Stay hydrated
“Fluid retention is usually more to blame for undereye puffiness, but dehydration can also play a role,” Dr. Jeanniton says. “Dehydration can make eye bags look worse by amplifying the effects of excess salt, high alcohol, or poor sleep. Maintaining proper hydration enhances circulation, which helps remove excess fluid from the eye area.” Keep a water bottle on your desk or by your bed, and set a goal to refill it multiple times throughout the day.
Get rest
“Develop good sleep hygiene to get a good night’s sleep because it’s one of the best prescriptions to combat eye bags,” says dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi. “Light at night, particularly blue light, is one of the reasons people don’t get enough sleep as it suppresses the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that influences circadian rhythms.” To help this, she recommends using dim red light at night (red light is less likely to shift circadian rhythm and suppress melatonin). “I also suggest sleeping on a couple of pillows if you are prone to eye bags to minimize pooling fluid in the eye area.” Furthermore, Dr. Sandy says that rest can decrease stress levels and, therefore, your cortisol levels, which ultimately prevent eye bags.
Manage stress
Stress levels affect cortisol levels, which, in turn, increase the appearance and intensity of puffiness and bags under the eyes. “That is also why those with high-stress levels experience acne,” Dr. Sandy notes. Meditation is one approach to reducing stress, as is exercise.
Try a cold compress
“Cold compresses are another popular home remedy that works to alleviate the appearance of dark circles and puffiness by shrinking blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the area to lessen inflammation,” says Dr. Green. “An ice pack, a frozen bag of vegetables, and refrigerated spoons are all practical tools that can be applied over the eyes for a few minutes to reduce swelling.” Or, you could pick up a cooling roller to practice a refreshing massage in the morning or whenever you’re experiencing puffiness; it makes for the ultimate undereye depuffer.
Keep remedies in your kitchen
Dermatologist Dr. Suneel Chilukuri recommends applying cold cucumbers over the eyes for five minutes. The cucumber juice and the cold temperature act as anti-inflammatory compresses. Dr. Green adds that tea bags are an effective way to reduce the appearance of dark circles and undereye bags, as they are rich in antioxidants, caffeine and have anti-inflammatory properties that promote blood flow to the skin. Black or green tea is sufficient here. According to Dr. Shirazi, you could even apply chilled cucumbers soaked in tea to reduce eye bags in the a.m. “Cucumbers have a high water content and act like a natural ice pack while the caffeine in black tea helps draw out the excess fluid,” she says. “The tea’s caffeine boosts circulation, soothes the area, and tightens the blood vessels in the under eyes, therefore reducing puffiness and inflammation.
Use the right tools
“Promoting lymphatic drainage is a technique that I teach my patients who are prone to fluid retention in the area,” Dr. Jeanniton says. She recommends a gua sha stone massage to the lower lid, focusing on an upward and outward motion to encourage lymphatic movement. “It’s such a beauty favorite these days, and for good cause: It’s especially beneficial combined with an eye serum or eye cream to the area to minimize unintentional friction to delicate eyelid skin.”
Another option is the ever-popular jade roller to help improve lymphatic drainage, though Dr. Alexiades warns against using it if you don’t know how to do it the right way. “The correct way to do it is to gently roll towards the nose, not away from it,” she says. Consider putting the roller in the fridge first. A lot like putting ice on a bruise for the swelling to go down, a cold compress is essential to tightening up eye bags. “Eye gels are perfect for this,” Dr. Sandy adds. “You can put it in the freezer and then put it on your eyes to decrease the bags and swelling.”
Remove unwanted makeup
Sometimes makeup gets stuck in the corners of our eyes, causing puffiness. That’s why it’s important to “gently exfoliate the eyelids after removing your makeup—every night!” Dr. Sandy suggests. “Very lightly sweep a soft, moist washcloth over the surfaces of your eyelids and through the roots of your lashes. This will lightly remove loose surface cells and prevent buildup on your lash line.”
Avoid certain foods
Marisa Garshick, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, says that eating certain foods won’t necessarily treat undereye bags, but avoiding certain ones can. Dr. Garshick points to foods high in salt as some of the foods that can make your eyes look puffy. “Reducing sodium intake is key,” she says. “Too much salt can lead to fluid retention, making puffiness more noticeable.”