How to Reduce Puffy Eyes
Puffy eyes, as opposed to dark circles or bags, are caused by fluid retention, which can be exacerbated by allergies, sinus conditions, premenstrual syndrome or even excess salt intake, as salt also causes water retention.
Most people have puffy eyes when they wake up in the morning because fluid pools in the areas under the eyes during sleep. While this is very normal and usually goes away with time, under eyes puffiness can be troublesome when you want to look your best.
Fortunately, there are many things that can be done to combat puffy eyes both before, during and after sleep.
First, drink plenty of water. While this may seem contradictory, drinking plenty of water helps ensure that your body will flush out unwanted toxins and salts, and can actually keep you from retaining water. Also, avoid processed and fasts foods, which are very high in sodium and other unnatural ingredients that the body can't easily process. Do eat foods containing potassium, such as bananas and raisins, which will help eliminate water retention.
Count the ways
There are may ways to reduce puffy eyes. To ward off eye puffiness while you sleep, lie on your back with you head elevated on one or two pillows. This will keep fluid from pooling under your eyes.
If you still wake up in the morning with puffy eyes, don't be alarmed. You can target your under eye puffiness by applying a cold compress, a refrigerated cooling mask, or by tapping lightly on the area under your eyes from the inner corners to the outer corners. You can also apply slices of cucumber or cold tea bags directly to the eyes, but you should be aware that when you lie down to do this, you are actually inhibiting drainage.
The easiest way to combat under eye puffiness in the morning is by applying an eye serum, which will quickly cool the area under the eyes by constricting the blood vessels, helping to reduce the flow of water from the capillaries into the tissue under your eyes - much in the same way an ice pack reduces swelling.