Puffy eyes can be frustrating to deal with, especially when you’re not quite sure what’s causing them. While lack of sleep and allergies are common culprits, the foods and drinks we consume can also have an impact on the delicate skin around our eyes.
We’ll be diving into two high-sugar drinks that doctors and skincare experts say can often cause and exacerbate puffy eyes: energy drinks and soda. We’ll explore the effects that these drinks can have on our skin, and what you can do to mitigate them.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Cheryl Rosen, Director of Dermatology at BowTied Life, Dr. Jose Mier, Founder of Heliotherapy Research Institute and skin health expert, and Dr. Nadir Qazi, DO, a board-certified physician, cosmetic dermatology surgeon, and owner of Qazi Cosmetic Clinic.
2 Beverages That Often Lead To Puffy Eyes:
1. Energy Drinks
A high consumption of energy drinks can "cause eyelid spasms and dry the inner area” of the eyes, Mier says.
He also explains that energy drinks are often linked to dehydration since they "force the brain to stay alert," leading to poor sleep and puffy eyes, and "thin under-eye areas are prone to hyperpigmentation and itchiness."
Mier points out that caffeine often found in energy drinks inhibits the body's ability to remove fluid from tissues, and fluid builds up in tissues under the eyes— causing them to swell.
The caffeine also constricts the blood vessels in that area, he says, which increases blood flow and even more swelling. While some people may not be affected by caffeine, experts say, others are particularly sensitive to it.
2. Soda/ Soft Drinks
Soda and soft drinks, Rosen says, are like energy drinks in that they also contain "high levels of caffeine," which has a diuretic (water-losing) effect.
Ultimately, this means that sipping on soda frequently can leave you feeling and looking dehydrated, especially the skin around and under your eyes as it puffs.
"Chemicals like phosphorus, potassium, and caffeine leach minerals from the bones and can damage the cells in the body," she notes. She adds that the sugar in soda is one of the "leading causes of diabetes, which can also lead to premature aging."
Rosen stresses that because of its caffeine content, soda can "dehydrate you, which can further damage your skin" and "make it more susceptible to wrinkles," as well as puffiness. Drinking soda with lots of sugar may also result in acne, she suggests.
What To Drink Instead For Brighter Eyes
To avoid eye irritation, puffiness and swelling caused by these drinks, these doctors recommend avoiding them as much as possible, especially if you've noticed their effects on your skin. Instead, Qazi says, it's essential to drink at least eight glasses of water per day (or gradually get there by drinking more than you're used to).
If combating the urge to sip on energy drinks and soda is your goal and you want a little more flavor, he also suggests reaching for coconut water, instead. "Coconut water is rich in Vitamins C, K, and A which are all great for the skin," he explains.
"Although coconuts do provide a moderate source of naturally occurring sugar, it's the refined sugars that steal the skin's elasticity and provide the harmful toxins." Good to know!
