Under-eye bags are a common insecurity, but combatting them is easier than you think.
Many factors, from sleep habits to diet, could contribute to those pesky bags under your eyes.
These beauty secrets to banish under-eye bags once and for all:
Stay Hydrated
If you struggle with under-eye bags, make sure you’re drinking enough water. Staying hydrated has many health benefits, including promoting skin health.
Dehydration can make you look swollen since your body is trying to hold onto as much water as possible. Drinking more water will improve your circulation so fluid doesn’t pool around the eye area.
Massage Your Face
Massaging your face not only feels good but is also beneficial for your skin. Gentle facial massages promote circulation and drain excess fluids.
Start with a moisturizing facial oil or serum, and use your hands or a roller to apply light pressure to your eye area for about a minute. Avoid rubbing your under-eyes too hard so you don’t damage the fragile skin.
Apply Makeup
Under-eye concealer can make a world of difference in a pinch. While makeup isn’t a permanent solution for your under-eye bags, it can instantly minimize their appearance when you’re short on time. Strategically applying a brightening concealer product around the eyes can blur bags and dark circles so you look younger and healthier.
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
Harmful UV rays can damage your skin, worsening the circles and bags in your eye area. As a result, it’s essential to wear sun protection daily. Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 in the mornings to prevent sun damage and premature signs of aging.
Reduce Your Sodium Intake
Eating foods high in salt can lead to swollen bags under your eyes. Sodium causes your body to retain more water, leading to puffiness. Monitoring the amount of salt you consume daily can help minimize your under-eye bags.
Add a Retinol Cream to Your Skincare Routine
Retinol is an excellent treatment for bags under your eyes. It’s rich in vitamin A and boosts collagen, keeping your skin plump and elastic. Many eye cream products use retinol to effectively target under-eye bags.
Use Caffeine On Your Under Eyes
Caffeine is a surefire way to treat under-eye bags at home. GoodRx explains that it constricts the blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the eye area to make it appear less swollen.
Many eye creams contain caffeine to combat puffiness under the eyes. You can also achieve the same effect by placing caffeinated tea bags on your eyes for several minutes.
Remove Makeup Gently
Since the skin in your eye area is so sensitive, it’s crucial to remove your makeup carefully at the end of the day. Use a gentle cleanser to clean away products like eyeliner and mascara. Maintain light pressure as you massage the makeup remover across your eyes so you don’t cause damage or irritation.
Get Enough Sleep
Adequate sleep is essential to preventing dark circles and under-eye bags. Your skin repairs and maintains itself as you sleep by generating new cells.
The skin around your eyes is quite fragile, so depriving yourself of rest makes it look dull and tired. Aim to sleep for seven to nine hours nightly for a well-rested appearance.
Eat Collagen-Rich Foods
What you eat can significantly affect whether bags develop under your eyes. Consuming more collagen can directly aid skin health.
WebMD recommends foods like chicken, fish, and eggs to boost collagen intake. A collagen-rich diet will strengthen the skin around your eyes, reducing the likelihood of bags and dark circles.
Cool the Skin Under Your Eyes
One of the best ways to reduce the bags under your eyes is by cooling the skin. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, cold compresses are effective because they reduce inflammation. At home, you can use ice packs, cold cucumber slices, or refrigerated spoons to target under-eye bags.
Cut Back on the Alcohol
Your nightly glass of wine could be causing the bags under your eyes. Alcohol dehydrates you and darkens your delicate under-eye skin. Limit your daily alcohol intake and drink plenty of water to counteract its adverse side effects.
Elevate Your Head While Sleeping
Consider slightly elevating your head at night if you’re prone to under-eye bags. If you sleep completely flat, fluid may pool around your eyes, making them look puffy. Propping yourself up by a few inches aids circulation so your under-eyes don’t swell.
Take Allergy Medicine
Combatting under-eye bags can be as simple as taking allergy medication. Inflammation and congestion are common allergy symptoms. Antihistamines can reverse these side effects so your eyes don’t look swollen and puffy.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
