Let’s face it, eye bags are one of the hardest things to get rid of. They could be on the same level as dark spots and acne. But as with any facial blemish, there’s always hope to fix them.
Before anything else, you need to know what causes eye bags in the first place. There are several reasons. Here’s a list of the common causes:
- Aging
- Allergies
- Genetics
- High-salt diet
- Medical conditions
Whichever is creating your eye bags is no cause for worry. Read on to learn some tips on how to reduce the puffiness and darkness under your eyes.
1. Apply Eye Cream
The go-to solution for many people with eye bags is an eye cream. Eye cream is readily available in most drug and department stores. Price ranges vary, from USD$10 to USD$175 and up.
But there’s most likely a product out there that fits your budget. Should you want a more effective product though, you may have to splurge.
Because of the many eye creams out in the market these days, finding one might be a struggle. Don’t worry. It wouldn’t be a problem once you remember these ingredients.
Make sure to pick a product with the following:
- Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA)
- Caffeine
- Ceramides
- Chamomile
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
- Ferulic acid
- Hyaluronic acid
- Niacinamide
- Peptides
- Retinoids
- SPF
- Vitamins C, E, and K
People prefer eye cream over other methods because of its accessibility and easy application. For cases of eye bags and dark circles, simply apply an under eye cream on the affected areas.
All you need is a pea-sized amount dabbed in tiny dots under your eyes. Use your ring finger when you do this since this finger is the weakest among the five. Then pat the cream into your skin. Be careful not to drag or rub.
There are also specific eye creams made to use during different times of the day. Take note of which type of cream to apply on when.
- Morning. Lightweight eye creams with SPF are the way to go. They’ll feel weightless under your makeup and protect your skin from wrinkle formation.
- Evening. Apply heavier creams with no SPF and more hydrating ingredients before you sleep. Your skin will absorb the healing properties throughout the night.
- Morning and evening. For better results, apply eye cream after you wake up and before you go to bed. Remember to use products suitable for these respective times.
2. Use Coffee and Tea Under-Eye Masks And Patches
These two are great as beverages, but did you know these may also be effective in removing eye bags? You’ll surely have either of these two in your cupboard. If not, then it’s about time to do some groceries.
They’re affordable and easy to apply.
Coffee
Who knew coffee not only smells amazing but may also work well as a remedy for eye bags? Try a mask made of coffee grounds mixed with honey for softer skin too.
Or mix one egg white into coffee grounds. The egg white may help tighten up any wrinkles you might already have.
To apply, dip two fingers into the mix and spread gently under your eye. Start from the inner corner going out. Close your eyes to avoid getting any grains getting into them.
Then wash it off with facial tissue or a clean cloth soaked in warm water after 15 minutes.
Tea
Right after you’ve brewed your afternoon tea, don’t throw away the bag just yet. Squeeze out its excess liquid and let it cool down to a bearable warmth. You can also leave it in the fridge for 10-20 minutes to turn it into a cold compress.
When ready, place the tea bags on your closed eyes and leave them on for 15-30 minutes. Repeat this process as often as you need to. Or whenever you decide to have some tea.
3. Hydrate Yourself
Don’t just rely on tea or coffee though. Get some more water in your system! Dehydration is also one of the causes of eye bags and dark circles. Stay hydrated every day to keep your body weight in check.
If you’re not a big fan of plain water, you can substitute this with sparkling water or fruit-infused water. Remember to take around 9-13 cups of water a day.
Your eyes and the rest of your body will thank you for it.
4. Increase Your Vitamin C Intake
One of the ingredients in an eye cream is vitamin C and it’s there for a reason. Vitamin C helps in minimizing dark circles and rids free radicals. If you’d rather have a more direct approach to your eye bags, you can apply pure vitamin C instead.
Though you need to be careful not to put too much. Vitamin C can dry the skin, so it’s recommended that you apply it with hyaluronic acid or tri-peptide complex.
Vitamin C also produces collagen that may help strengthen your skin, making it more resilient. Food rich in vitamin C boosts the circulation of your blood.
With better blood circulation comes brighter skin and a healthier you. You can read more about the benefits of vitamin C for your body here.
5. Take Antihistamines For Allergies
As mentioned earlier, allergies can be a cause of eye bags. Even if you don’t experience that itchy feeling that often comes with allergies, they can still irritate your eyes. The irritation is what causes the fluid to build up under them, giving you puffy under-eyes.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, it’s best to get checked up by your doctor. They’ll suggest antihistamine tablets for you to take. These are available over-the-counter and won’t cost much.
Ask a pharmacist if they have any antihistamine eye drops too. These can also help decrease the puffiness around your eyes.
6. Get More Sleep
This is probably one of the more obvious ways to remove eye bags. Lack of sleep makes the blood vessels around your eye leak. These mix with the fluids that settle under your eye when you sleep.
To have some sort of control over the movement of fluids, try sleeping on your back. Fluids will naturally follow gravity and move to your lower eyelids if you sleep face-down.
An irregular sleep pattern also hinders your body from repairing itself. Keep track of your sleep schedule and follow a fixed pattern as much as possible. It’s recommended that you get around 7-8 hours of sleep.
If you have trouble falling asleep, you can check out these tips for more restful nights and brighter under eyes.
Brighten Up
When you first notice those dark bags under your eyes, don’t think that it’s the end of the world. A lot of people have them. Close friends and family may do too.
You shouldn’t see it as a sign of ugliness but rather, a sign that you’re alive and living life to the fullest. But if they do bother you, don’t hesitate to try out the tips above.
The end goal is always to look and feel happy in your own way.
Lauren Gamble is an author, mompreneur, co-founder of Naturally Made Essentials. She is on a mission to help thousands of women across the world achieve a healthy, happy lifestyle through teaching natural health practices.