Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCold CompressTea BagsHemorrhoid CreamsApply an Eye CreamUse RetinolSunscreenCaffeineElevate Your Head as You SleepStay HydratedVisit the DermatologistWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cold Compress
Tea Bags
Hemorrhoid Creams
Apply an Eye Cream
Use Retinol
Sunscreen
Caffeine
Elevate Your Head as You Sleep
Stay Hydrated
Visit the Dermatologist
When to Seek Medical Care
Having bags under your eyes is more likely a harmless cosmetic concern than a medical problem. You might haveeye bagsoccasionally simply because you’re stressed out or had a particularly late night.
Butsmoking,allergies,fluid retention, and poor sleep can also cause eye bags. So can a few factors beyond your control, such as the natural aging process and genetics.
This article discusses how to get rid of eye bags andpuffy eyesnaturally, medical remedies, and when it’s time to see a healthcare provider.
Kentaroo Tryman/ Getty Images
Any tea bag can serve as a handy and effective cold compress. After steeping tea as usual, place a couple of tea bags in the refrigerator until morning, then place them on your eyes and relax for a few minutes. Like other cold compresses, this can help reduce swelling and soothe the area around your eyes.
Green teain particular is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Some people usehemorrhoid creamson puffy eyes because they help narrow blood vessels and reduce swelling.
This requires caution, though. Hemorrhoid creams are not approved for this use. They can produce side effects, such as skin and eye irritation. Be sure to read product labels carefully. If you intend to use these creams long term, speak with a healthcare provider to ensure this is safe for you.
Unlike hemorrhoid creams, eye creams are intended to help with eye bags and can provide an effective temporary fix. Look for ingredients such as:
Retinolis a form of vitamin A often used in skin care and eye creams. Research suggests that applying retinoid eye cream every night can improve the appearance of puffiness, lines, anddark circlesunder your eyes. These benefits may be greater if you apply peptide-rich eye cream in the morning.
The skin around the eyes is quite delicate and easy to damage. And ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can lead to premature aging around the eyes, highlighting bagginess and puffiness.
Use broad-spectrumsunscreenwith an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher. Look for sunscreens made specifically for the face or around the eyes.
Some topical eye products contain caffeine because it constricts blood vessels and may improve the appearance of puffy eyes.You can also chill some caffeinated black tea bags and rest them on your eyes for a few minutes.
Since lack ofsleepcan contribute to eye bags, it makes sense that getting enough sleep can help with this issue. And sleeping with your head slightly raised keeps fluids from settling around your eyes during the night.Adding another pillow can do the trick if you can’t raise your bed.
However, try not to drink too many fluids just before bedtime. That, along with too much salt in your diet, can lead to nighttime fluid retention and baggy eyes in the morning.
Adermatologistis a medical doctor specializing in skin, hair, and nail conditions. If the skin around your eyes is persistently baggy or puffy and is causing great concern, it makes sense to visit a dermatologist for advice.
Cosmetic Procedures
Home remedies can work, though the effect is temporary. If your eye bags are due to aging or genetics, it may take something more. Speak with your dermatologist for more information on medical procedures that may help. Some to consider are:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Eye bags, puffy eyes, and dark circles under the eye are generally harmless. Contact a healthcare provider if you get creams or ointments in your eye or if you have:
Summary
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to get rid of bags under your eyes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Bags under the eyes.Pilkington SJ, Belden S, Miller RA.The tricky tear trough.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(9):39-47.Kaufman J, Callender VD, Young C, Jones P, Wortzman M, Nelson DB.Efficacy and tolerability of a retinoid eye cream for fine to moderate wrinkles of the periorbital region.J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(9):932-937. doi:10.36849/JDD.6815Skin Cancer Foundation.The sun & your eyes.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to get rid of bags under your eyes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Bags under the eyes.Pilkington SJ, Belden S, Miller RA.The tricky tear trough.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(9):39-47.Kaufman J, Callender VD, Young C, Jones P, Wortzman M, Nelson DB.Efficacy and tolerability of a retinoid eye cream for fine to moderate wrinkles of the periorbital region.J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(9):932-937. doi:10.36849/JDD.6815Skin Cancer Foundation.The sun & your eyes.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to get rid of bags under your eyes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Bags under the eyes.Pilkington SJ, Belden S, Miller RA.The tricky tear trough.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(9):39-47.Kaufman J, Callender VD, Young C, Jones P, Wortzman M, Nelson DB.Efficacy and tolerability of a retinoid eye cream for fine to moderate wrinkles of the periorbital region.J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(9):932-937. doi:10.36849/JDD.6815Skin Cancer Foundation.The sun & your eyes.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to get rid of bags under your eyes.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Bags under the eyes.
Pilkington SJ, Belden S, Miller RA.The tricky tear trough.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(9):39-47.
Kaufman J, Callender VD, Young C, Jones P, Wortzman M, Nelson DB.Efficacy and tolerability of a retinoid eye cream for fine to moderate wrinkles of the periorbital region.J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(9):932-937. doi:10.36849/JDD.6815
Skin Cancer Foundation.The sun & your eyes.
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