This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
Waking up with puffy under-eyes, dark eye circles and dehydrated skin can be daunting, and sometimes, covering this up with makeup can become a difficult task.
With that said, we reached out to a skincare and health expert for three timeless tips to provide instant relief to swollen under-eyes, no matter what the cause of the redness or inflamed skin is. The best part? You never have to leave your home to try them!
Read on for suggestions and insight from Dr. Cameron Rokhsar, MD, FAAD, FAACS, double board-certified dermatologist and laser skin surgeon at New York Cosmetic, Skin & Laser Surgery Center.
3 At-Home Ways To Soothe Swollen/ Puffy Under-Eyes:
1. Use Rose Water For Dark Eye Circles
One natural and easy DIY way to make your dark eye circles look less apparent is to whip up homemade rose water, Rokhsar explains. "To treat dark circles, one can use rose water, which can be made at home by adding rose petals to water until the petals lose their color, then straining the liquid and storing it in a jar," he says.
Rose water, he notes, contains vitamin C and A and "acts as a natural astringent with anti-inflammatory properties." A mixture of lemon juice and fresh tomato juice can also be used to massage the eye area daily, "leaving it on for about 20 minutes before washing it off with coconut water," he advises.
2. Apply A Cool Compress To Treat Puffy Eyes
A cool compress such as cucumber slices or cold tea bags can help reduce puffiness, Rokhsar says. "Green tea bags are particularly nice because they contain antioxidants that can help firm the skin around the eyes." He recommends "elevating your head with a couple of extra pillows to prevent fluid from collecting under your eyes at night," as this may also "help with puffiness."
"One can use a cool compress made from a clean washcloth dampened with cool water and placed over the eyes for a few minutes while sitting upright," he continues, adding that this can be repeated as needed. "Additionally, applying cold spoons, small bags of frozen peas, or ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth to the eye area for 5 to 10 minutes can also significantly reduce puffiness," he stresses. "Drinking plenty of healthy liquids, especially water, can help prevent puffy eyes and keep overall skin tone firm and full," Rokhsar points out.
3. Moisturize & Hydrate The Eye Area To Prevent Dehydration
Rokhsar suggests applying a good daily moisturizer to keep skin looking healthy and less dehydrated, "just choose a gentle formula for use around your eyes," he instructs. This, he says, helps to prevent dehydration and keeps the skin around the eyes firm and elastic. "Remember that the skin around the eyes is delicate, so be gentle when applying any products or remedies," he emphasizes.
"The area under the eye is extremely susceptible to dehydration, so it's essential to drink enough water throughout the day," Rokhsar adds, stressing that no matter how much you might have heard this advice, it's vital and worth repeating. "Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day, he concludes, as drinking enough water can "do wonders" for under-eye skin. "Cut down on fluids before bedtime and limit salt in your diet. Eating a lot of salty foods causes you to retain water and leads to swelling," Rokhsar points out. Noted!
