Don’t let your eye bags weigh you down. Methods like cold therapy, sinus rinses, and gua sha may help reduce their appearance.
Whether you just stayed up too late watching TikToks or have a chronic dark circle issue, it’s understandable if you want to look a little more rested. Here are some great strategies to send those eye bags packing.
Eye bags or dark circles can be caused by a number of factors like:
- genetics
- thin skin
- aging
- allergies
- sinus issues
- low iron or B12
- chronic fatigue
- eczema
- sun damage
- smoking
- fluid retention
What works best to treat yours will depend on the cause of your prob.
If you have visible veins under your eyes, aim to constrict blood vessels and thicken the skin. If you have puffy eyes, focus on reducing inflammation. If your under-eye skin is darker, your goal will be to correct hyperpigmentation.
Now that you understand the root of your undereye struggles, here’s how to tackle it.
It’s true: The old cucumber or cold spoon trick really works, at least temporarily. Cold therapy in the morning for about 10–15 mins can work to de-puff the area and constrict blood vessels that may be contributing to a raccoon look.
It’s not a permanent fix, but it should stave off any “you look tired” comments for at least the remainder of the day.
Certain skincare ingredients can help improve the appearance of eye bags, including:
- Retinol works to increase skin elasticity, reduce hyperpigmentation, and boost collagen production
- Hyaluronic acid works to hydrate and plump the skin
- Vitamin C reduces inflammation, reduces hyperpigmentation, and improves elasticity
- Lactic acid treats hyperpigmentation and firms the skin
- Hydroquinone treats severe hyperpigmentation (but is only available via prescription)
Using a nasal irrigation device (like a NetiPot or NeilMed Sinus Rinse) may help reduce undereye inflammation caused by sinus issues. Sure, it might feel uncomfy to shoot a saline solution up your nostrils, but some people swear by it.
Pro tip: Be sure to use the device as instructed. To avoid serious health problems, use sterilized or distilled water.
Allergies can sometimes cause puffy or itchy eyes and dark circles. If you think that’s your issue, you may want to talk to your doc about taking OTC allergy meds like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec).
A 2019 study suggests that being low in iron or vitamin B-12 may contribute to the appearance of eye bags. If you think you may be low in either of these, you may want to talk to your doc about improving your diet or taking supplements.
There’s a reason so many eye creams contain caffeine. The antioxidants in green tea and coffee have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. This can help reduce undereye swelling as well as protect those precious undereye skin cells from future damage.
Whether you apply a green tea bag directly on the skin or use a caffeine serum, the de-puffing action should last all day.
If your issue is mostly puffiness, you can totally gua sha or jade roll it out. According to 2022 research, these techniques (including facial massage) improve blood flow and aid in lymphatic drainage.
Grab your fave serum and gently smooth it into the skin. Keep your gua sha or jade roller in the freezer for extra depuffing power.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help your under eyes and overall appearance fresh. For example, drinking plenty of water and reducing sodium can curb puffiness-causing fluid retention. Exercise boosts circulation while a well-rounded diet reduces inflammation.
Meanwhile, kicking a cig habit will prevent further collagen loss and result in a brighter complexion.
Wearing sunscreen to prevent skin damage, washing and moisturizing your face 2x a day, and generally maintaining a legit skincare routine can help reduce the appearance of eye bags in the long run.
When your skin is hydrated, protected, and healthy, your dark circles should be less visible.
When in doubt, talk to a derm about your dark circles. There are more invasive methods to treat eye bags, including laser resurfacing and microdermabrasion that can be very effective.
To zap eye bags fast, try methods like cold therapy or jade rolling. Consider using skincare ingredients like retinol and vitamin C for long-term improvement. If you have allergies or sinus issues, antihistamines or nasal rinses may help.
Methods like microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing can also work super well. Talk to a derm to see if they’re right for you.
