HOW TO REDUCE AND GET RID OF PUFFY EYES

Do your eyes look puffy? You’re not alone. Almost 80 percent of women suffer from eye bags and puffiness at some point in their lives. Our eyes are the first thing people notice about us, so it’s natural to want them to look as full of life and beautiful as possible. To find out what causes puffy eyes and how to reduce or get rid of them, read on!

WHAT CAUSES PUFFY EYES?

Puffy eyes usually appear either as a result of the natural ageing process, or due to a build-up of fluid in the thin layers of skin and connective tissue surrounding your eyes. Lifestyle factors, such as how much you sleep and exercise, and what you eat and drink, can have a massive impact on puffiness.

Here are some of the possible causes of puffy eyes, listed:

• Salty foods. Consuming too much salt can lead to fluid retention in the tissue around your eyes as well as the rest of your body.

• Dehydration. Not drinking enough water, or drinking too much alcohol, can also result in puffy eyes, as your body tries to store as much water as possible.

• Fatigue and lack of sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for your skin. If you’re not getting at least seven hours of quality sleep, you have an increased chance of experiencing fluid and blood retention around your eyes, which can cause you to waking up with morning eye bags.

• Allergies. Allergies can cause the release of a chemical called histamine, which leads to inflammation and swelling in the skin around your eyes. This may prompt you to rub your eyes even more, resulting in further puffiness.

• Ageing. Eye puffiness can also happen as part of the natural ageing process. As you grow older, the membrane that’s supposed to hold back the fatty tissue protecting your eyes inside your eye sockets gets thinner and thinner, causing the fat to push forward, resulting in puffy eyes, dark circles, and bags under your eyes.

• Other causes. Other possible culprits include genetics, health conditions like pink eye or thyroid eye disease, stress, crying, too much sun, and sleeping with your contact lenses in.

HOW TO GET RID OF PUFFY EYES

Now that you know the most common causes of puffy eyes, discover what you can do to prevent or reduce them! Read our quick and easy guide and learn how to reduce puffy eyes in just a few steps.

1. Change your diet. Try to cut down on your sodium intake. This means eating fewer processed foods like cured meats, cheese, bread, and instant soups. Instead, try to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Consuming foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, yoghurt, beans, and leafy greens, can also help reduce water retention.

2. Get more sleep. Because lack of quality sleep can make the skin under your eyes puffy, you will want to establish a sleep-nourishing evening routine that can help you wake up well rested. You should try to refrain from drinking caffeine at least six hours before going to bed, have your last meal about three hours before bedtime, finish exercising at least a couple of hours before you plan to go to sleep, and you should stay away from looking at electronic devices like your phone or laptop one or two hours before getting some zs. It’s also a good idea to give yourself enough hours to sleep, and to go to bed and wake up at similar times so that your body gets into a good sleep routine.

3. Drink more water. Drinking enough water is one of the best ways to keep your body from stockpiling fluids and helping to prevent puffy eyes. You should aim to drink at least eight glasses (just a little shy of 2 litres) of water daily to keep your skin well-hydrated and your eyes looking lively.

4. Apply a fresh cucumber eye mask. Cut a couple of slices of cold cucumber and place them over your closed eyes. In addition to being rich in antioxidants (which are great when it comes to reducing irritation), the cold can help reduce the look of under-eye swelling in just 30 minutes!

5. Try an eye cream. Step up your beauty care routine with Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream to help de-puff and minimise the look of dark circles and wrinkles around the eyes. It is super-charged with peptides, vitamins and colour-correcting technology for instantly younger-looking eyes. When applying the eye cream, gently dab it on using your ring finger until it is fully absorbed and avoid tugging at the eye area. Apply a small amount to the under eyes, outer corners and eyelids both morning and evening for best results. For an even firmer, lifted look, make Olay Eyes Firming Eye Serum a regular guest in your night-time skin care routine. Specifically designed for the delicate skin around your eyes, its advanced amino peptide complex formula instantly hydrates your skin, renews its surface, and smoothens your fine lines and wrinkles.

6. Ask for medical help. If you’re experiencing long-lasting puffiness or pain, irritation or severe swelling in the area around your eyes, and you suspect that allergies or a medical condition may be behind your puffy eyes, make sure your contact your doctor for professional medical advice.

THE BOTTOM LINE ON HOW TO REDUCE PUFFY EYES

Although you may experience puffy eyes from time to time for a number of reasons, including fluid retention, allergies and skin ageing, there are things you can start doing today that help tackle this common skin concern. Lifestyle changes together with a helping hand from an effective eye cream like Olay Eyes Ultimate can help you reduce the look of puffy eyes and reveal younger-looking skin and an all-round more glowing complexion.