The eyes may be the window to the soul, but it’s tough to focus on what’s going on when puffiness clouds the view. And if you’re looking for ways to depuff eyes—that go beyond the traditional cucumber slices—you’re in the right place.
The specific causes of tired-looking, puffy under eyes can be hard to pinpoint. However, we have a good idea of the suspects: “Increased fluid accumulation from lack of sleep, unhealthy diet, age, and genetics play the biggest role in under eye puffiness,” says dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D.
But no matter the official culprit, our Jelly Skincare serums are clinically proven to reduce the look of puffiness (and—even better, suitable for sensitive skin). Read on to see how they can be used with other methods so you know how to get rid of puffy eyes fast.
1. Use caffeine eye treatments
You already know caffeine is a morning routine staple. Not only is it a key ingredient in your coffee, but its anti-inflammatory properties also make it a popular skincare treatment for depuffing under eye bags.
“Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, which means it constricts the blood vessels around the eyes to reduce fluid and discoloration,” says Dr. Gohara. Our Milk Makeup Cooling Water Stick contains caffeine and helps reduce the appearance of puffiness, even when you’re still feeling sleepy.
2. Grab a jade roller.
These tools are more than just pretty vanity decor. “I love tools like jade rollers because they help lymphatic drainage without dragging your skin around,” says dermatologist Anna Guanche, M.D. Pushing fluid away from your under eye area will give your eyes a much-needed boost. That being said, the skin there is naturally thin and delicate, so when you use a jade roller for eye puffiness, be gentle and massage with care.
“A jade roller goes smoothly over your skin, so you don’t risk rubbing and pulling,” says Dr. Guanche. For even more slip, first apply our Cooling Water Stick or Cooling Water Jelly Ice Serum, then carefully glide your roller from the inner corner of each eye out to the sides of your face, then downwards to drain any excess fluid away.
3. Reduce under-eye swelling with cold.
You’ve probably seen influencers on social media giving themselves “ice face baths”—a skincare trend where people dunk their faces in ice cold water. And there’s a method to the madness: Applying anything cold to the skin under your eyes can help reduce puffiness by constricting your blood vessels so your skin looks tighter and more awake, says Dr. Gohara.
If you don’t want to start your day with your head submerged in freezing water (understandably so), a quick home remedy is to put a spoon in the freezer overnight, then place the convex side under your puffy eyes in the morning. Make sure to let the cold spoon thaw slightly, so that you don’t irritate your skin with extreme cold. Products like Cooling Water Jelly Ice and Cooling Water can also be kept in the fridge for energized-looking under eyes.
4. Apply an under eye brightener.
In a time pinch, the quickest way to treat your eye bags is to conceal them. Our Future Fluid Concealer contains plant extracts and caffeine, which can help reduce the appearance of puffiness and soothe under-eye swelling, while brightening dark circles and making your eyes look instantly more refreshed.
5. Increase hydration.
Dehydration can affect your overall health—including your skin. “Keeping your skin hydrated helps to plump it up and minimize the appearance of dark circles,” says Dr. Gohara. In addition to drinking water, hydrating eye products can help your under eyes look plump and soothed.
Our Future Fluid Concealer contains hyaluronic acid so you can get that deep hydration. For a makeup-free look, our Watermelon Jelly Hydrating Brightening Serum contains matrixyl, a plant-powered peptide that helps smooth the look of fine lines and evens out skin texture.
6. Get your beauty sleep.
Our clean, vegan, cruelty-free beauty products are a great substitute when you don’t get enough sleep, but it’s important to make sure you’re getting your recommended eight hours of sleep each night. Your skin, body and mind will thank you!
The next time you wake up with swollen under eyes, caffeinate, chill your skincare products—and maybe sneak in a power nap, too.
Meet the Experts:
Mona Gohara, M.D. (she/her) is a dermatologist in Connecticut. After graduating from medical school with AOA honors, she did her dermatology training at Yale New Haven Hospital, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Gohara continues to teach at Yale where she holds a faculty appointment as an associate clinical professor.
Anna Guanche, M.D. (she/her) is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon specializing in cosmetic procedures. Her practice is Bella Skin Institute in Calabasas, CA, where she cares for all types of skin conditions with a special emphasis in the areas of cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery.
"
