7 Expert-Approved Ways to Beat Puffy Eyes

Puffy eyes can happen to anyone.

Tatiana Bido

Updated: Apr 30, 2024

Yana Iskayeva / Getty Images

Puffy eyes can happen to anyone, whether it’s from a sleepless night, stress, a high-salt diet, or simply aging. But don’t worry—these simple remedies can help you de-puff, tighten and rejuvenate the skin around your eyes. We’ve gathered advice from top experts to guide you through four effective ways to reduce puffiness, no matter what caused it.

Featured Experts

Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD is a board-certified facial platic surgeon based in New York
Jeffrey Antimarino, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Pittsburgh, PA
Lee Ann Klausner, MD is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon based in New York
James Gordon, MD is a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon based in New York
Tracie Martyn is a celebrity aesthetician and skin-care expert based in New York

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Cool Them Down with Cold Spoons

A classic method to reduce puffiness is the cold spoon trick. Place two spoons in the freezer for about 20 minutes, then press them gently over your eyes until they’ve warmed up. According to Martyn, “Using cold spoons may help tighten the skin around the eyes by increasing circulation.” A cooling eye gel, like the No7 HydraLuminous+ Cooling Eye Gel ($20) can also work to depuff with 3-in-1 technology: 2 percent hyaluronic acid and 5 percent niacinamide.

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Load Up on a Caffeine or Peptide-Packed Eye Cream

Caffeine has a tightening effect that can reduce puffiness. According to New York facial plastic surgeon Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD, a cause of puffiness is a buildup of fluid that accumulates overnight, leaving you with bags and puffiness come morning. Many eye creams containing caffeine come with a rollerball or metal applicator, adding a cooling effect for extra de-puffing. Peptides are also a great option. Beekman 102’s Mushroom Milk 5% Hexapeptide Better Aging Eye Cream ($50) uses the combined power of five mushrooms and 5 percent hexapeptide to lift, firm, and smooth the under-eye area, reducing fine lines and crow’s feet in just 5 days, as demonstrated in clinical studies.

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Drink More Water

One of the simplest ways to combat puffy eyes is to stay hydrated. If you’ve indulged in salty foods, increasing your water intake can flush out toxins that contribute to swelling. Try to avoid coffee and caffeine, as they can dehydrate the area. “As we age, the fat that protects our eyes protrudes into our eyelids, causing bags under our lower lids. The skin around our eyes also loses elasticity and develops wrinkles,” says New York oculoplastic surgeon James Gordon, MD. While it’s hard to prevent bags from forming, hydration helps smooth the area so the puffiness isn’t as much of an issue.

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Conceal with a Good Concealer

A good concealer can work wonders for under-eye puffiness. Martyn recommends choosing one with vitamins and antioxidants to nourish your skin while it camouflages. For a brightening effect, Caliray’s Hideaway Brightening + Hydrating Under Eye Color Corrector Concealer ($28) is designed to deliver a lightweight, serum-like texture that conceals dark circles and redness without caking or creasing. It hydrates and smooths fine lines with hyaluronic acid and tetrapeptide, offering a brightening and plumping effect. Dr. Gordon advises choosing an oil-free concealer to avoid causing irritation that can lead to bags forming.

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Stimulate with Microcurrent Technology

For those seeking a tech-savvy approach to reducing under-eye puffiness, combat puffy eyes and sagging skin with FOREO Bear 2 for Eyes and Lips ($199), a noninvasive microcurrent device that tightens around the eyes using lifting microcurrent, tapping microcurrent and T-Sonic massage for an instantly refreshed look. The tool helps improve lymphatic drainage, which helps to reduce fluid retention and eliminate toxins for less puffiness.

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Revitalize with Targeted Radio Frequency

Radio frequency (RF) technology offers a minimally invasive option to tighten and rejuvenate the delicate skin under the eyes. Pittsburgh, PA plastic surgeon Jeffrey Antimarino, MD explains, “We’ve been targeting the crepey skin and herniated fat in the lower eyelids, achieving amazing results using Virtue RF exact.” This technique is ideal for addressing fine lines and tightening without significant downtime. Dr. Antimarino adds, “It’s amazing what you can treat now with just 20-25 minutes and almost no recovery time.”

Carlos Barquero/Getty Images. Image Used for Illustrative Purposes Only.

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Refresh with Lower Eyelid Surgery

For a more permanent solution to under-eye puffiness, a lower blepharoplasty may be the answer. According to New York facial plastic surgeon Lee Ann Klausner, MD, the procedure can be useful for those with “extra skin or fat” in the lower eyelids. She explains that this type of surgery generally requires IV sedation for patient comfort and better control during fat removal. Dr. Klausner notes that the operation usually takes “about an hour per eyelid,” resulting in a more youthful and refreshed appearance.

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