How to get rid of puffy eyes

Puffy eyes can make you look terrible – especially in the morning when you ought to look younger and fresher than when you went to bed.  Even if your puffy eyes aren’t quite as bad as Rocky’s – it’s really not a look you want.

There can be a range of causes – the most common is toxic build up from poor lymphatic drainage and sluggish circulation.

Whatever the cause – you want those puffy eyes gone.  Not only do you look terrible but puffy eyes stretch the delicate under eye skin and cause wrinkles. Here’s our evening and morning routine to get rid of your puffy eyes for good.

Night time tips to banish puffy eyes

Aid lymphatic drainage by raising your head higher than your body when you sleep – use two pillows if necessary.

Boost your oxygen intake – sleep with the window open.  Breathing in stale air (yours or anyone elses!) is bound to make your puffy eyes worse.

Remove your eye make up – every scrap – or puffy eyes will surely follow.  Use an effective but gentle eye make up remover.  Try Ahava Gentle Eye Make Up Remover which gets everything off effortlessly and soothes the delicate under eye skin with chamomile extract.  Another favorite is  True Essential Gentle Eye Make Up Remover which has a silky feel so all traces of mascara and shadow glide off easily without irritation and pulling.

Avoid over rich eye creams.  Use an ultra light eye cream  like Skin Medica TNS Night Eye Repair which is specially formulated for overnight application and apply it sparingly.

Don’t drink water immediately before going to bed.  You need water during the day – around 8-10 large glasses – to flush out salts and toxins from your system.  Salt in particular is a big factor in fluid retention and a major cause of puffy eyes.  But you should cut right back on water intake as bed time approaches and stop completely about 2 hours before you hit the sack.  Drinking too much water too late in the night is a contributor to puffy eyes.

Morning tips for puffy eyes

Get your circulation moving as soon as you wake up. Take 10 good slow deep breaths and then jump around the room for several minutes (both feet off the ground like you’re on a pogo stick) until you feel your pulse rate rise and your skin is flushed.  Sounds ridiculous but it works!

Drink a glass of water first thing to eliminate toxins – puffy eyes are a sign your lymphatic system isn’t working as well as it should.  Follow with some fresh apple juice at breakfast – one of the best natural detoxes there is.

Stimulate the lymphatic system with at least 2 minutes tapping massage around the eye socket area. With one hand over each eye use the middle or third finger to tap firmly and rapidly around the whole of the eye socket. Press your thumbs under the brow arch in the inner corner of the eye to drain the lymph system and hold for a minute.

Lie on the bed and apply a cool compress for at least 10 minutes with your eyes closed. Use two cold wet tea bags (store them in the fridge) or cotton pads soaked in eye lotion

Apply an under eye treatment formulated for puffy eyes and give it plenty of time (at least 5 minutes) to sink in before applying any make up.  Try La Roche Posay Hydraphase Eyes which has caffeine to reduce puffiness.  Revale Skin Replenishing Eye Therapy uses coffee berry to eliminate puffiness and lifts and tightens the eye area.

That’s it – you should be well on the way to eliminating those tiresome bags and you won’t have to see Rocky in your morning mirror!

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