Oh, puffy eyes—the bane of mornings and way-too-early Zoom calls. We’ve all been there: waking up, catching a glimpse in the mirror, and wondering who swapped our eyes for two little pillows overnight. The good news? Puffy eyes aren’t permanent, and with a few tweaks, they’re totally manageable!
In this guide, we’ll uncover what causes puffy eyes, pinpoint sneaky habits making them worse, and explore science-backed, acne-safe solutions to keep your eyes looking bright, refreshed, and AWAKE.
From game-changing skincare tips to life-saving matcha eye patches (yes, they’re as amazing as they sound!!), we’ve got everything you need.
What Causes Puffy Eyes?
We need to understand what’s happening beneath the surface to tackle puffy eyes. Puffy eyes happen when fluid builds up in the tissues around your eyes (orbital area). Several factors can trigger this retention, including:
1. Poor Sleep Habits
Your body regulates fluid balance and lymphatic drainage while you sleep. Not getting enough rest causes excess fluid to accumulate, leading to morning puffiness. Sleep is also essential for skin repair, lack of it can make your under-eye area look dull, swollen, and tired.
PRO TIP: Prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep and try PILLOWTIME-MAG, our magnesium-rich sleep supplement for deeper, more restorative rest.*
2. Diet Choices (Salt + Alcohol = Swelling!)
High-sodium foods (chips, takeout, processed snacks) and alcohol dehydrate your body, forcing it to hold onto excess water, especially around the eyes.[1] Ever wake up puffy after sushi and cocktails? That’s why!
Try balancing sodium intake with potassium-rich foods like bananas, avocados, and spinach, which help flush out excess fluid.
3. Allergies
Allergies can trigger inflammation and histamine release, causing redness, swelling, and watery eyes.[1] Even skincare products with irritating ingredients can contribute to puffiness.
Switch to acne-safe, non-comedogenic skincare and use allergy-friendly bedding to minimize irritation.
4. Genetics (Thanks, Fam!)
If your family has naturally thinner skin or a tendency to retain water under the eyes, you may be more prone to puffiness.[1] While you can’t change genetics, you can manage it with cooling skincare products with caffeine and peptides to depuff naturally.
5. Aging
As we age, collagen and elasticity decline, making under-eye puffiness more noticeable (even if fluid retention isn’t the main issue). Fat pads under the eyes may shift or sag, increasing puffiness. Support collagen with hydrating eye treatments, peptides, and antioxidant-rich skincare.
Surprising Everyday Habits That Worsen Puffy Eyes
Sometimes, even small daily habits can unintentionally exacerbate puffiness. Let’s spill the tea on the most common habits that might be sabotaging your eye game:
1. Sleeping with Makeup On
Leaving mascara or eyeliner overnight can clog pores, irritate the skin, and even cause under-eye swelling. Use a gentle cleanser to remove every trace before bed!
2. Skipping on H2O
Dehydration tricks your body into holding onto water, causing fluid retention in areas with thinner skin—hello, puffy eyes.[1] We recommend drinking 2-3L of spring or mineral water daily to flush out toxins and excess salt.
3. Sleeping on Your Stomach
Gravity isn’t your friend here. Sleeping face down causes fluid to pool under your eyes. Even side sleeping can create asymmetrical puffiness. Try flipping onto your back with a slightly elevated pillow or use a silk eye mask (100% Mulberry silk is best).
4. Consuming excessive salt
While it’s okay to indulge in a snack, eating too many foods high in sodium can lead to fluid retention and swelling around your eyes. Balance your diet by incorporating foods high in potassium to counteract the effects of sodium.
How to Prevent Puffy Eyes
Ready for brighter mornings? Here’s how to keep puffiness away:
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Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Quality rest allows your body to recover, regulate fluid retention, and support lymphatic drainage. Trust us, better sleep prevents puffy eyes (and acne) like magic. Try PILLOWTIME-MAG to improve sleep quality.*
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Adjust Your Diet: Reduce sodium, limit alcohol, and eat more potassium-rich foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, and spinach.
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Stay Hydrated: Drink 2-3 liters of spring or mineral water daily to support natural detox and hydration.
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Upgrade Your Skincare Routine: Look for non-comedogenic skincare products with ingredients like caffeine, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and depuff.
4 Best Solutions to De-Puff Eyes Fast
If puffiness does strike, don’t stress—it happens to all of us! The good news is there are acne-safe, effective solutions that can quickly help calm and refresh your under-eye area. Here’s how to get those bright, awake eyes back in a blink:
1. Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is a tried-and-true method to reduce puffiness as it constricts blood vessels, reducing swelling instantly.[1] Use a chilled spoon, gel ice pack, or cucumber slices for 10 minutes.
2. Eye Masks
Eye masks hydrate, brighten, and depuff, especially our best-selling MATCHA EYE PATCHES, packed with acne-safe peptides and antioxidants.
PRO TIP: Store them in the fridge for an extra cooling effect!
3. Massage for Lymphatic Drainage
A gentle under-eye massage boosts circulation and reduces fluid retention.[1] How? Use your ring finger or a gua sha tool from the GLOW + SCULPT Set to ensure deeper absorption and promote lymphatic drainage.
4. Supplements for Skin Hydration
Puffy eyes can sometimes be a sign of dehydration or poor nutrient balance.[1] A well-balanced supplement like GOOD SEEDS softgel provides omega fatty acids and antioxidants to help reduce inflammation and support skin health.*
The Best Skincare Routine to Combat Puffy Eyes
A consistent skincare routine can do wonders for preventing puffiness, especially when it’s tailored to acne-safe practices. Here’s an easy, effective regimen to keep your eyes looking fresh and vibrant:
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Cleanse: Use a hydrating, SLS-free cleanser to remove dirt and oil without stripping skin.
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Apply Eye Patches: Clinical active ingredients like caffeine and peptides in MATCHA EYE PATCHES work to depuff and hydrate instantly.
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Tone: Choose an alcohol-free toner with aloe vera or green tea extract.
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Apply an Eye Cream: Use BRIGHTEYES to reduce puffiness and brighten.
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Moisturize: Lock in hydration with a non-comedogenic moisturizer.
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SPF (AM only): Mineral-based SPF prevents sun damage & under-eye thinning.
Pro Tips for Long-Term Puffiness Prevention
To take your eye-care game to the next level, here are a few additional tips:
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Invest in silk pillowcases to reduce skin irritation and puffiness.
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Sleep elevated to prevent fluid buildup under the eyes.
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Use non-comedogenic to avoid pore-clogging and inflammation.
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Double-check if your products contain any acne-causing ingredients by using our Pore-Clogging Ingredients Checker.
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Limit salt and alcohol as they majorly impact your skin’s hydration levels and puffiness.
Final Thoughts
By making simple lifestyle adjustments and using acne-safe solutions, you can wake up looking refreshed, radiant, and ready to take on the day.
A little effort goes a long way, and with the right tools and habits, you’ll wake up looking radiant, refreshed, and ready to take on the day. You’ve got this!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
SOURCES:
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Puffy Eyes: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment - Leightons Opticians
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Cigna Healthcare. What Causes Bags and Dark Circles Under Eyes?
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Under-Eye Swelling: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments - Healthline
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How to Get Rid of Bags Under Your Eyes | Johns Hopkins Medicine
