How to get rid of puffy eyes or eye bags under eyes

Do you think that the eye bags under your eyes are giving you a tired look? Puffy eyes can give you a more aged appearance as they add a drooping look to the whole face.

The good thing is that the problem of puffy eyes and eye bags under the eyes can be resolved or at least reduced to a great extent with proper care and treatment.

However, you really need not to rush to the parlor to get them, you can get the best treatment for your puffy eyes right at your home.

Puffy eyes or eye bags under the eyes often start to appear as soon as you start approaching 35. However, it can be earlier or delayed depending on various factors and your genetics play the most prominent role in that.

The other thing after genetics that you can blame for puffy eyes is your lifestyle and obviously the age factor has plenty to do with it as well.

In this article we will provide you with details on How to get rid of puffy eyes or eye bags under eyes but before we get into the topic, here is a brief on the reasons of puffy eyes or eye bags,

Causes of puffy eyes and eye bags


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Bags under the eyes or slight swelling or puffiness under the eyes start appearing as you age.

With aging, the facial tissues as well as some supporting muscles around the eyelids become weak.

Normally, there are fats around the eyes that support the structure, but due to weakening of the supporting muscles, these fats move to the lower eyelid area making the eyelids look puffy.  Fluids can also accumulate in the area adding to the puffiness.


While puffy eyes and bags under the eyes is a common concern with age, the time of appearance of these bags as well as the extent of the puffiness is often controlled by genetics.

There are people who experience only mild puffy eyes even in their 50s, whereas some might start experiencing prominent eye bags as soon as they reach 30.

Skin disorders

Some skin disorders, such as dermatitis can also be a reason of puffy eyes or under eye eye-bags. These conditions particularly affect the elasticity of the skin which might be the cause of puffy and swollen eyes.

Eye infections and allergies

Eye infections and allergies are often a common cause of puffy eyes and eye bags. If you already have the problem of puffy eyes, an eye infection or allergy can easily add to it.

Otherwise, if puffiness of the eyes has been caused only due to the infection or allergy, it is expected to heal on its own once the infection or allergy has been controlled.

Improper function of tear glands

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Problem of tear glands can lead to accumulation of fluid in the lower eyelid area giving rise to puffy eyes and eye bags.

It is important to treat the problem quickly to get relief and to avoid any major complications.


Problems of thyroid is another common medical cause for puffy, swollen eyes. If you are suffering from hypothyroidism, eye bags can be a symptom of the condition.

Diet and lifestyle

Diet and lifestyle can also work as a reason of puffy eyes and eye bags. High amount of alcohol, salt and fats in diet are sure to add to the problem of fat and fluid accumulation under the eyes.

Improper rest, over straining of the eyes and facial muscles, lack of physical activities are the other lifestyle reasons that can easily add to the swelling of the under eye area.

So, now as you know the common reasons behind puffy eyes and eye bags, the first thing you need to do is to eliminate the root cause, particularly when it is not due to genetics and aging related matters.

However, the conditions mentioned above can make the puffy eyes more swollen. So, even if you have got eye bags under the eyes due to age related reasons, check out to ensure there are no underlying conditions that might be adding to the problem.

Now we will move to a bunch of home remedies that can help you to get rid of puffy eyes or eye bags under eyes,

Cold tea bags for getting rid of puffy eyes

One of the quickest and easiest home treatment for swollen eyes and eye bags is cold tea bags. Be it the green tea or black tea, a cold tea bag can do wonders for your puffy eyes. Soak two tea bags in chilled water for 5 minutes and then place them on your eyes.

Take a short nap of 15 minutes with the tea bags on and then remove. It will not only soothe your eyes but will reduce the under eye swelling considerably.

Potatoes for treating eye bags

Potato has a very soothing effect on the skin as well as on the eyes. It also helps in reducing eye irritation and is effective in controlling inflammation. The toning effect of potatoes also helps in reducing the under eye bags.

Take a potato, wash it clean and grate. Squeeze out the juice and soak two cotton eye pads in it. Place these eye pads on your eyes, covering the sides as well as the under eye area fully. Take a nap for an hour and then remove the cotton pads. Wash off with plain water. Repeat everyday.

Cucumber for under-eye bag treatment

Cucumber is also known for its soothing qualities and it can be an effective home treatment for puffy eyes and eye bags under eyes.

Take a cucumber and make two big but thin round slices of it to cover your eyes completely including the under eye area. Place these cucumber slices on your eyes and take a short nap for 30-40 minutes. Remove and splash some water on your eyes.

Egg whites for treating eye bags

The white of an egg can be highly effective to treat the problem of eye puffiness and eye bags. The egg white provides a toning effect on the skin and can be most effective in treating eye puffiness caused due to normal aging process.

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Take the white of an egg and add a few drops of evening primrose carrier oil to it. Mix well and apply the resulting mixture to the under eye area with a fresh cotton ball.

Let it stand for 8-10 minutes and then remove with a moist cotton pad or towel. Repeat twice a day for quick results. Evening primrose carrier oil is known for its ability to remove under eye wrinkles and swelling.

Aloe Vera to get rid of puffy eyes

Aloe Vera is a great natural source of antioxidants including Vitamin E. It helps in nourishing the skin, rejuvenating its natural repairing mechanism. Moreover, Aloe Vera has a cooling and soothing effect on the eyes.

It is best to prepare fresh Aloe Vera gel at home to treat under eye puffiness. Scrape out the pulp from an Aloe Vera leaf and smash it to make a smooth gel like pulp.

Apply the fresh pulp around the eyes and leave on for 30 minutes or more before washing off with water. Applying Aloe Vera gel under the eyes before going to sleep is most helpful.

Chamomile tea bags for puffy eyes

Chamomile is a herb that is known for its ability to cure mild eye infections and irritations. It also helps in reducing inflammation in general. Chamomile can be effective to soothe irritated and itchy eyes while reducing the eye swelling.

It is best to put in some dried chamomile in a small cotton pouch for using on the eyes. Soak the cotton pouch in warm water for 2 minutes and then let them cool down to a comfortable temperature before placing them on the eyes.

Make sure that the tea bags cover maximum area around the eyes. Take a nap with the chamomile tea bags on for 30 minutes and then remove. Repeat twice in a day.

Cold milk for reducing puffy eyes

Milk helps in soothing the skin and also discourages retention of water. The nourishing abilities of milk also help in rejuvenating the skin which can be naturally helpful to reduce the effects of skin aging around the eyes.

Dip fresh and thick cotton pads in cold milk, squeeze out the pads lightly and then place them over the eyes. Leave on for 20-30 minutes, then remove and wash the eyes with water.

Saltwater for treating eye bags

Saltwater is believed to help the drainage of the accumulated fluid from the under eye area, reducing the puffiness quickly. However, when you are using this treatment, make sure that the water does not get into your eyes.

Take 1 cup of water, heat it with 1/2 spoon of salt. Remove from the heat and let it cool down. Soak two cotton pads in this solution, squeeze out the excess lightly and place them over the eyes, covering the eyes bags completely.

Leave on for 10 minutes, then remove and rinse with normal water.

Cold water compress for quick eye puffiness treatment

If you are in a hurry to go out for the party but you can see some puffiness around your eyes giving you a tired look, a cold water compress can be a quick fix.

Soak a cotton towel in ice water, squeeze out the excess and then cover your eyes and the under eye area with it. Take a beauty nap of 10 minutes and remove.

Oil massage for getting rid of eye bags

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People suffering from puffy eyes and bags under the eyes due to aging can reap great benefits with regular oil massage of the under eye area.

However, while doing the massage make sure that you are working very gently and never continue the massage for more than 2-3 minutes at a stretch.

Take 1 spoon Olive Oil and add 2-4 drops of evening primrose carrier oil with it. Blend the two well and then apply the oil mixture on the eye bags in excess. Use the tip of your index or middle finger to massage the oil lightly into the skin.

Once you are done, remove the excess oil lightly with a moist cotton ball. Repeat this treatment twice a day and you can see results in a few weeks.

Sleep well and sleep right to get rid of eye bags

Inadequate sleep as well as sleeping in a position that deters the normal drainage of fluid from the veins can work as a reason for more puffiness during the morning after getting out of bed.

If you find that your eye puffiness is high in the morning, make sure that you place your head on an elevated surface while sleeping at night. Adding one more pillow under your head can be an easy solution for it.

Take up a healthy lifestyle

Taking a diet that is less in salt and fat content, doing regular exercises to maintain proper body weight can also be helpful to reduce the problem of puffy eyes.

People who drink regularly are more prone to develop under eye bags. The alcoholic fat is often the reason of eye bags. So, stay away from drinking regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle to get rid of puffy eyes and eye bags.