Best puffy eye treatments

As the old proverb says: the eyes are the window to the soul. Unfortunately, swollen eyelids can sometimes block the view, shuttering the blinds on your beauty. But you don’t have to stand for swelling. Fight puffiness and let your soul shine through with these simple tips.

TOPICAL TREATMENTS

Many under eye creams require weeks to see results. But if you’re reading this article because you woke up with puffy eyelids, you can’t find your favorite shades and you have a pool party to be at in 20 minutes, don’t get your bikini in a bunch. We have some solutions for you.

Face lift in a bottle

You read that right—such magic does exist. But like Cinderella’s carriage, the effects are only temporary, so make sure to stash some in your purse and reapply lest you turn into a pumpkin. Many supermarkets carry some variety of instant face lift cream, but your local cosmetic store is sure to have it, and if not, it’s easy to find online.

Cold compress

If you don’t have time to run to the store, try a simpler solution, such as a cold compress. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy—a couple of spoons set in the freezer door for a few minutes will do. As John Hopkins Medical University helpfully states, the cold causes the blood vessels to constrict, temporarily reducing swelling. Another popular home remedy involves freezing tea bags. The reasoning is that the caffeine and antioxidants contained in tea help improve circulation and overall complexion. Many under eye creams list caffeine as one of the active ingredients.

HOLISTIC TREATMENTS

There are also many lifestyle changes you might consider to help reduce water retention in your body overall.

Anti-edema diet

It’s a well-known fact that salt can lead to excess water retention. That’s why you feel so bloated after binging on a full bag of chips and washing it down with a soda. But did you know that there are other dietary imbalances that are just as likely to cause swelling?

For instance, diets deficient in protein or vitamin B1 (also known as thiamin) are more likely to cause edema. Most meats, fish, eggs, dairy are good sources of protein, but lentils and legumes are popular proteins for those who prefer to avoid animal products. Harvard School of Public Health has compiled good list of foods high in B1, including brown rice, flax seeds, lean pork and salmon. If you’d prefer, you can also find B1 supplements at your local grocery store.

Get things flowing

For some, edema may be caused by long periods of sitting or standing. This is why security guards, desk workers, and others with similar

Puffy pills

If you’ve noticed a sudden, rapid change in eyelid puffiness and you’ve just started a new medication, the pills may be to blame. According to Mirwat S. Sami, M.D. and Charles N.S. Soparkar, M.D. Ph.D. periorbital edema (the scientific name for puffy eyes) can be caused by a long list of medications, some for common diseases, like diabetes and hypertension. Even such common over-the-counter drugs as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen have been associated with eyelid swelling. You might want to read the fine print on your pill bottle and ask your doctor if any of the medications you’re taking may lead to excess water retention or eyelid puffiness.

Sleeping posture

Getting a good night’s sleep is vital to ensure a smooth, even complexion in the morning. This is primarily due to the fact that skin regeneration and restorative processes are most active during sleep. But even if you’re getting a full dose of ZZZs, you may still be waking up with a puffy face if you’re sleeping in the wrong posture. Sleeping on your stomach or side with improper support leads to pinched vertebrae and reduced blood circulation, in turn causing fluids to pool in various areas throughout the body.

The best sleeping pose for your health and beauty is on your back. But very few people can fall asleep on their backs and spend the whole night in the same position without rolling over. In fact, a study done by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology suggests that most people spend less than 40% of their sleeping time on their backs.

But with the right anatomical pillow, you can sleep soundly in any position without worrying about morning puffiness. If you’re ready to commit to full-time back-sleeping, try a training pillow, such as the Aula. The high side bolsters and slight indent in the center will gently hold your head in place, preventing you from tossing and turning in the night, while the massage elements in the neck support area provide complete relaxation.

If you still want to side sleep some of the time, try the Omnia instead. The range in thickness across the bottom neck and shoulder area provides support while sleeping on your side or on your back. The cradles on each side frame your face, preventing skin distortion from contact with the pillow.

And all pillows in the Sleep&Glow line are designed with a slight height difference between the upper and lower bolsters, creating a slope that promotes fluid drainage and proper blood circulation.