How to Shrink Puffy Eyes

A number of factors including age, heredity, diet, lack of sleep, or allergies, may cause puffy eyes. It is normal to wake up with swollen eyes; however, when the condition lingers on for several hours it may be necessary to find an effective way in which to deal with it. Remember that the eye area is very delicate and must be treated gently.

Choose one of the naturally-proven methods of reducing puffy eyes or purchase a popular eye cream that contains specific ingredients that also work well:

• Try splashing cold water on your face when you wake up in the morning. Cold water dilates the blood vessels and shrinks pores immediately to reduce the swollen area around the eyes.


• Apply cool, moist tea bags on the eye area for a few minutes. Caffeine is known to draw water away from the skin giving it a tighter appearance and reducing puffs.


• The age-old remedy of applying cold cucumber slices to the eyes is worth a try, as cucumbers contain ingredients that reduce inflammation. Slice a cucumber and store in a baggy in the fridge for emergencies. The veggie is composed of 90 percent water for an instant cooling effect as well.


• Witch hazel is quite effective with its natural skin tightening properties. Simply soak two cotton pads in witch hazel and apply to closed eyes for about 5 minutes.


• Give yourself an eye massage. This method is used with professional facials for increasing circulation and drawing water away from the eye area. It is most effective when puffy eyes are caused by lack of sleep or allergies.


• No need to spend a lot of money on expensive beauty products; low-cost eye creams with a natural herbal base of rosemary or mint gently reduces puffy eyes, as well as eye patches or masks that contain ginseng or retinol.