Skip to main content

BlissMark may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Puffy eyes? Why it happens, and our best remedies

Waking up with puffy eyes is, unfortunately, a part of life. While it might not be every day, we’ve all experienced looking at the mirror in the morning and seeing a horror film antagonist staring back at us.

If this sounds familiar, don’t grab those sunglasses just yet. We’ll go over how to reduce this puffiness and prevent it from occurring in the first place.

Face rollers and under eye masks laid out on a table.
Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels

Why your eyes swell in the morning

Your skin reacts quite quickly to any irritants, allergens, and stress. If your eyes keep swelling in the morning, there’s a good chance your skin is trying to tell you something about its needs.

Whether your lack of sleep is due to a late-night Netflix binge or last-minute exam prep, poor sleep quality can cause the vessels around your eyes to expand, leaving them inflamed and discolored. The position you sleep in may contribute to this puffiness, as well. Sleeping on your stomach, for example, causes blood and fluid to pool in the space under your eyes.

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle, as it enhances memory, the strength of the immune system, focus, energy, and so much more. If that doesn’t convince you to set your bedtime a few minutes earlier, maybe waking up with a fresh face in the morning is enough of an incentive.

Alcohol consumption, salt intake, allergies, and a sedentary lifestyle can all cause under-eye puffiness as well. Basically, anything that dehydrates or irritates the eyes is a surefire way to find yourself with facial inflammation, so stick to a healthy, balanced diet that promotes overall skin health. Staying hydrated and reducing your intake of salty, fried foods keeps your skin elastic and moisturized, thus preventing inflammation and discoloration.

NAS CREATIVES/Shutterstock

What to buy

Even if you’ve integrated these preventive techniques into your lifestyle, there’s still a chance you may experience swelling around the eyes every now and then. Luckily, there are a few products and techniques that will reduce swelling so you don’t have to hide behind those sunglasses at Sunday brunch.

Facial massages promote a youthful glow by stimulating blood flow around the face. While you can give yourself a massage with your fingers, it’s more hygienic and effective to invest in a jade roller. We previously mentioned that puffiness can be the result of fluid buildup under the eyes. Facial massages break up this fluid to decrease swelling in the short term. Be aware, however, that this treats the symptoms, not the cause of puffiness, so keep up your daily skincare routine and balanced diet to keep swelling at bay in the long run.

With the Deciniee Jade Roller and Gua Sha Set, you’ll receive a double-ended facial roller and one gua sha massage tool. The roller works best for your eyes, face, and neck, while the gua sha is best for massaging your jawline and other curves of the face. For best results, put the roller in the freezer because ice and cold temperatures significantly decrease inflammation.

Eye creams, gels, and masks all add a dose of hydration to the sensitive undereye skin, preventing dryness and irritation that can contribute to redness and inflammation. The BRIGHTJUNGLE Under Eye Masks have overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon, so we recommend starting your eye care journey with this fan-favorite product. These are especially great if you don’t have a lot of time to get ready since these pads only need 30 minutes to work.

Your eyes are very sensitive, and they need a lot of love and attention to keep them looking bright, focused, and downright gorgeous. By living a healthy lifestyle with adequate hydration and nutrition you can prevent puffy eyes from taking over your mornings. If you still find yourself swollen in the morning, try a few facial massages, moisturizers, and masks to bring your skin back to its former glory.

BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle has written for various websites, online magazines, and blogs. She loves everything celebrity and her favorite…
5 fantastic foundational tools for at-home nail care
the best nail files file

Heading to the salon for a manicure and pedicure can be a luxe experience. Close your eyes, lean back in the massage chair, and tune the world out while a nail technician gives your hands and feet a little extra love.
Though it’s nice to have someone else trim fingernails and toenails, it’s not always feasible. You may have gotten a last-minute invitation to happy hour, and your nails leave something to be desired. Perhaps you’re having a busy week at work and simply don’t have time. Whatever the reason, you don’t need all the bells and whistles to get your nails to look like they’re in tip-top shape. These basic tools are perfect for quick at-home nail care.

It can be fun and relaxing to go to a salon to get a manicure and pedicure. If you’re short on time, but your nails need some serious maintenance, skip the bells and whistles and get the job done at home. You don’t need a ton of tools. Files and clippers will get nails short, smooth, and perfect shaped. If you want to cut your cuticles, you’ll want to spring for a pair of clippers. The cuticle skin is delicate, so find one that is easy to hold and maneuver. At-home nail maintenance can be quick and painless. Bonus: You’ll save money you can use at happy hour or dinner instead.

Read more
5 essential beauty tools for your self care routine
the best feminine wash

Practicing self care is an important part of encouraging health and wellness mentally, physically and even spiritually. A common way that many people exercise self care is through pampering themselves with a spa day at home. This can include lighting a scented candle, turning on some calming music or meditating in a warm, bubble bath. For many people, recreating a spa-like environment at home provides a calm, serene frame of mind without the hefty prices that you’d typically find at a beauty parlor. You can transform your living space into a sanctuary with the help of some essential beauty tools that are available on Amazon right now.
Here are five essential tools to use for your self care routine:

Indulging yourself with these five beauty products can help you turn a boring beauty regimen into an extravagant spa experience. Let's face it, from daily work commutes to heating up frozen dinners after a long day, our every day routines can sometimes become monotonous and lackluster. It's important that we take special care of our mental and physical wellbeing so that we can tackle the highs and lows of life. Something as small as treating yourself to a pretty, glass nail file or applying a nutrient-rich face mask can brighten your mood. Participating in self care has been shown to provide ample health benefits as well as reduce the risks and effects of anxiety and depression. Set aside some time to celebrate yourself with these purposeful beauty tools for the perfect self care day.
 
 
 

Read more
5 ways to revamp your beauty routine
A woman applying a skin care product

Adding changes to your beauty routine can be a great way to keep you feeling fresh and rejuvenated. Our skin can thrive when we introduce new products, especially as the weather changes throughout the year. These six tools are great additions to your beauty routine, and can help improve your skin health!

Changing up your beauty routine can be a great way to improve skin health and help you feel fresh. It can also be a great way to practice self care, by setting aside the time to take care of your skin everyday. Over time, and with consistent use, you’re sure to notice improvements.

Read more