TIRED EYES? EXPERTS SHARE THE INGREDIENTS AND SOLUTIONS THAT ACTUALLY WORK TO REDUCE PUFFINESS

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If there’s one aesthetic concern most of us can say we’ve experienced in our lives, it’s puffy eyes. We're no stranger to waking up with a face plagued with under-eye bags more times than we can count. And as we age, it seems that the puffiness gets harder and harder to get rid of.

Luckily, there are a ton of products on the market that can speed up the process of reducing puffiness. But before we list our top recommendations, it’s important to understand exactly what causes puffy eyes in the first place. Shop TODAY consulted board-certified dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo and medical esthetician Victoria Waked to find out more.

Cause | Solution | Ingredients to look for | Expert and editor faves | More options | How we chose | Meet the experts

Best products for puffy eyes, at a glance

• Best budget-friendly pick: e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Eye Cream, $10
• Best for easy application: Garnier Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller, $12.85
• Best expert-approved cream: 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream, $29.98
• Best eye mask: Florence by Mills Floating Under the Eyes Depuffing Gel Pads, $36
• Best serum: Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum, $64

What causes puffy eyes?

“While this is a problem that worsens with age, it is usually caused by fluid accumulation in delicate, thin eye skin,” says Ciraldo. “Since eye skin is some of the thinnest on our body, the loss of elasticity in both the skin itself and the vessels causes more leakage of fluid out of delicate and aging vessels, and the skin doesn't have the elasticity to resist puffiness from increased fluid caused by vessel leakage.”

Another cause of puffy eyes is the sagging of fat pads around the eyes, which are a genetic issue and often a result of aging. Allergies, lack of sleep and a high-salt diet — which causes fluid retention in the eye area — are also common causes of under-eye bags.

How do you reduce eye puffiness?

There are a ton of products available to help with puffy eyes (more on that later!), but there are also lifestyle changes that can help minimize bags as well. “Sleep on a couple of pillows to promote drainage [from the under eyes],” Ciraldo suggests. “Also, try to follow a low-salt diet for a week to see if this improves puffiness, and massage away excess fluid with a roller.”

Finally, it’s important to ensure your bedroom is free of any potential allergens — especially your bed. “Wash your pillowcase at least every three days and steam your pillow about every two weeks to minimize dust mite accumulation,” says Ciraldo. Dust, a common allergen, can lead to puffiness under the eyes.

Waked adds that adequate sleep, managing stress, staying hydrated and using a cooling eye cream or gel with ingredients like cucumber and aloe vera are all ways to reduce puffiness.

Ingredients to look for in products to reduce eye puffiness

In addition to the cucumber and aloe vera mentioned above, Waked says, "Efficient products for puffy eyes should contain ingredients like caffeine, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to reduce swelling and improve skin elasticity."

She also calls out peptides as an effective ingredient.

Best products for puffy eyes, according to experts and editors

The Detox Market Super Chill Facial Pill

The Detox Market Super Chill Facial Pill

The Detox Market Super Chill Facial Pill $ at The Detox Market

Key ingredients: N/A (must fill with water and freeze before using)

Affordable, yet "effective": Sierra Hoeger, an associate editor at Shop TODAY, recommends this reusable ice mold that's designed to help calm and de-puff sin. She says, "I got this to try during last year’s Beauty Awards and recently started using it again! It’s helped the puffiness underneath my eyes immensely, and helps give me a good boost in the morning when I need a little help waking up."

100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

• Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream $ at Amazon
• Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream $ at Thrive Market

Key ingredients: Caffeine, green coffee, vitamins C and E, licorice root, green tea, rosemary leaf

“Caffeine in skin care will produce some constriction of blood vessels for a temporary improvement in eye puffiness,” says Ciraldo. “This option features caffeine from coffee and green tea mixed with vitamins C and E.”

Florence by Mills Floating Under the Eyes Depuffing Gel Pads

Floating Under The Eyes Depuffing Gel Pads

• Floating Under The Eyes Depuffing Gel Pads $ at Ulta
• Floating Under The Eyes Depuffing Gel Pads $ at Target
• Floating Under The Eyes Depuffing Gel Pads $ at Florence by Mills

Key ingredients: Glycerin, castor seed oil, shea butter, caffeine extract, green tea extract

Hoeger says she fell in love with Florence by Mills when she was in college and needed depuffing and brightening products the most. "Since then I’ve continued to buy these eye masks that truly reduce puffiness and awaken the eyes, thanks to the caffeine. I also appreciate the clean ingredients and the fun shapes the patches come in."

Korres Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel

Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel

• Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel $ at Ulta
• Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel $ at QVC
• Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel $ at Korres

Key ingredients: Caffeine, glycerin, coffee seed extract, cucumber, jojoba, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, sunflower seed oil

Senior SEO editor Jess Bender says she never had to deal with eye puffiness or dark circles until last year and, while she was on the hunt for a solution, knew she didn’t want to add yet another cream to her morning skin care routine.

“I’ve heard many people sing the praises of caffeine for the eye region, so this easy-to-navigate gel roller from Korres (a brand that I’ve loved for a long while) spoke to me and my lazy girl beauty routine. The instant massage the applicator provides does wonders for whatever puffiness I may be feeling in the morning. Plus, I’ve seen a bit of reduction in my under-eye darkness over the span of the last month.”

Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx Eye

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye

• Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye $ at Amazon
• Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye $ at Sephora
• Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye $ at Ulta

Key ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol

Associate editor Lauren Witonsky tried this viral eye cream over the weekend and says it "really does have an instant tightening effect that you can feel seconds after you apply." She notes that it only took a small amount to see a difference and warns against using too much because it can be irritating.

Dermelect Revitalite Professional Eyelid & Dark Circle Corrector

REVITALITE PROFESSIONAL Eyelid & Dark Circle Corrector

REVITALITE PROFESSIONAL Eyelid & Dark Circle Corrector $ at Dermelect

Key ingredients: Haloxyl (peptides), Eyeseryl, Sesaflash

"A little goes a long way!" says Lauren Witonsky, an associate partnerships editor at Shop TODAY, about this product. She tells us, "I’ve been on the fence about whether eye creams were worth up until I tried this one. I can’t speak to the long-term benefits since I just started using it this week, but I swear after the first application my under eye area looked brighter and more lifted."

Witonsky continues, "The metal applicator feels soothing to apply during my nighttime routine, and I use my ring finger to dab any excess product over my eyelids."

Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum

A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum

• A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum $ at Ulta
• A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum $ at Sephora
• A-Shaba Complex Eye Serum $ at Drunk Elephant

Key ingredients: Retinol, caffeine, peptides, glycerin, ceramides. hyaluronic acid

Hoeger is also a fan of this serum from Drunk Elephant (despite saying she feels like a 12-year-old whenever she's in that section of Sephora; IYKYK). "This is the only eye cream I’ve found that works to reduce bags and puffiness for me. It truly does last a long time (I’m still on my first bottle from three months ago!) and it has a light texture that doesn’t leave any sort of residue."

Clinical Skin Collagen Boosting Complex

Collagen Boosting Complex

Collagen Boosting Complex $ at Clinical Skin

Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, peptides, lactic acid

Annie Shigo, an editorial assistant at Shop TODAY, recommends this collagen-boosting complex by Clinical Skin. She tells us, "I use this in the morning right when I wake up and it provides instant moisture and really wakes up my skin."

Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum

Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum

• Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum $ at Ulta
• Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum $ at Sephora
• Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum $ at Nordstrom

Key ingredients: Caffeine, shea oil, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid

This is a personal favorite of mine (Kamari). I've been using it for years and I can never sing its praises loud enough. The serum is light but effective and the metal applicator provides a cooling boost to start your day.

More products for puffy eyes

e.l.f. Cosmetics Holy Hydration Illuminating Eye Cream

Holy Hydration Illuminating Eye Cream

• Holy Hydration Illuminating Eye Cream $ at Target
• Holy Hydration Illuminating Eye Cream $ at e.l.f. Cosmetics
• Holy Hydration Illuminating Eye Cream $ at Ulta

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin E, jojoba, cucumber, glycerin, sunflower seed oil

“Eye masks and eye patches can help depuff,” notes Ciraldo. Infused with vitamin E, jojoba and cucumber, this cream instantly soothes stressed-out eyes. Simply dab this on after your normal morning skin care routine and your eyes will slowly depuff before you head out the door.

Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller

SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller

• SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller $ at Walmart
• SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller $ at Walgreens
• SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller $ at Amazon

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, mint, caffeine

This affordable option is perfect for depuffing on-the-go — simply toss it in your bag and apply it whenever you need a quick refresh. Not only does the formula contain caffeine for tightening, but the rollerball within the packaging helps to drain fluid from under your eye as it’s rolled across your skin.

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Under Eye Cream

Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Under Eye Cream

• Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Under Eye Cream $ at Amazon
• Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Under Eye Cream $ at Target
• Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Under Eye Cream $ at RoC Skincare

Key ingredients: Retinol, glycerin, panthenol

Retinol is one of the latest skin care ingredients people can’t stop talking about. Its anti-aging properties are designed to help reduce dark circles, wrinkles and puffiness around the eyes. This option has over 18,000 verified five-star ratings on Amazon.

“I have literally tried 50 different eye creams to help smooth the crepe-y skin around my eyes and help reduce puffiness before I put makeup on. The RoC retinol cream is the first product that almost immediately diminishes the bags under my eyes as it hydrates and tightens my skin,” one reviewer wrote.

Dieux Forever Eye Mask

Dieux Forever Eye Mask

Dieux Forever Eye Mask $ at Dieux

Under-eye masks are an easy and low-maintenance way to take care of your eyes, especially if you’re traveling. Dieux describes this eye mask as “the last eye mask you’ll ever need” since it’s completely reusable and beloved by shoppers everywhere (including Cosmo’s beauty director!). The eye masks are made from non-porous silicone and are easy to use. Simply apply your favorite eye product and place the eye masks over the product. You can even put them in the fridge or freezer for an added cooling effect!

LilyAna Naturals Eye Cream

Naturals Eye Cream

• Naturals Eye Cream $ at Amazon
• Naturals Eye Cream $ at LilyAna Naturals

Key ingredients: Aloe vera, rosehip seed oil, rosemary leaf extract, sunflower seed oil, niacinamide, panthenol, vitamins A and C

This anti-aging moisturizer with rosehip and hibiscus has more than 20,000 verified five-star ratings on Amazon. “My eyes are no longer puffy, and although I still have crow’s feet (bad genes), they are remarkably less noticeable,” one shopper shared after using the cream for three months. Others noted seeing a difference as soon as a few days of consistent use.

Tula Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm

Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm

• Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm $ at Ulta
• Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm $ at Nordstrom

Key ingredients: Aloe vera, glycerin, caffeine, fruit extracts, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid

Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, probiotic extracts and several fruit extracts are just a few key ingredients in this brightening eye balm. One Ulta reviewer said they said a difference after using it for just two weeks.

Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage

All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage

• All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage $ at Sephora
• All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage $ at Ulta
• All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage $ at Nordstrom

Key ingredients: Glycerin, rosemary extract, hyaluronic acid, fruit extracts

If you’re a fan of rollerball products but have more mature skin, this option is ideal. Antioxidants, caffeine and soothing botanicals tackle both puffiness and fine lines along the eye area. Skin is visibly smoothed after every use. Pro tip: Toss this product in the fridge for an extra cooling effect when using.

StriVectin Intensive Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles Plus

Intensive Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles Plus

• Intensive Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles Plus $ at Amazon
• Intensive Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles Plus $ at Ulta
• Intensive Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles Plus $ at Sephora

Key ingredients: Glycerin, caffeine, rosemary leaf extract, hyaluronic acid, panthenol

According to the brand, this bestselling eye cream by StriVectin works to achieve younger-looking eyes in just five days. Horse chestnut flower extract hydrates the under eyes, while micro-algae extract diminishes the look of puffiness.

How we chose

While finding the best products to get rid of puffy eyes, we at Shop TODAY spoke with two medical experts (a board-certified dermatologist and a medical esthetician) about what usually causes puffiness and how to treat it. We included a few of their go-to products, as well as favorites from the editors on our team. We even added multiple items for puffy eyes that are popular amongst shoppers.

Meet the experts

• Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist that has been practicing for over 40 years.
• Victoria Waked is an advanced medical esthetician and the U.S. head of training at Dr. med. Christine Schrammek.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com

2023-03-15T23:26:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd