It’s bad enough struggling with not getting enough sleep, let alone seeing the evidence in the mirror the next day. Puffy eyes are one of the most common skin concerns, and can make your whole complexion look tired.
What causes puffiness around the eyes?
Whether from a poor night’s sleep, allergies, or their skin's natural structure, many people struggle with under-eye puffiness. Understanding what’s actually happening beneath your skin can help you tackle the issue.
As the skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, it contains fewer oil glands. When fluid builds up in this area due to fatigue, slowed lymphatic drainage, or other causes, swelling can occur.
Understanding the potential causes of puffy eyes makes it easier to choose the right solution for you.
1. Retaining fluid
Circulation naturally slows as you rest, and lymphatic drainage is also significantly impacted, making it more difficult for fluid to drain from your face. This can cause temporary swelling under your eyes.
As the skin here is so thin and delicate, any swelling appears much more noticeable than when fluid is retained elsewhere in the body. Factors such as alcohol and salt intake, or dehydration, can increase the fluid retention around your eyes.
2. Not getting enough sleep
Sleep plays a big role in how your skin repairs and regulates itself, and sleep deprivation is a common cause for puffy eyes. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body’s ability to manage your fluid balance becomes less efficient, making it more likely to pool beneath the eyes,
3. Allergies and irritation
If you’re sensitive to allergens like pollen or dust, the histamines your body releases can cause puffy eyes. Your eyes might feel sensitive, and look swollen and red.
Similarly, your eyes might become irritated by harsh skincare products or excessive rubbing of your eyes. We know the skin around the eyes is particularly delicate, so even small amounts of friction can damage tiny blood vessels and worsen inflammation.
4. Natural skin structure and ageing
Natural levels of collagen and elastin in the skin decline with age, which reduces its elasticity and firmness. At the same time, the fat pads that sit under the eyes can shift or become more prominent.
These completely natural changes to your skin can create the appearance of under-eye bags, which can be mistaken for temporary puffiness.
5. Being dehydrated
At first thought, it might seem counterintuitive, but dehydration makes under-eye swelling and puffiness worse.
When the skin lacks water, it can look dull, less plump, and slightly uneven in texture, which can exaggerate shadows and swelling under the eyes. Dehydration can lead the body to retain fluid to try to protect itself, which may add to puffiness.
Puffy eyes vs eye bags: what’s the difference?
Many people confuse puffy eyes with eye bags. Here is the difference:
- Puffy eyes: Usually temporary swelling caused by fluid retention, irritation, or fatigue.
- Eye bags: Changes caused by ageing, genetics, or shifting fat pads beneath the skin.
Puffiness can often be improved quickly by getting a good night’s rest and cooling the skin, while eye bags usually require consistent skincare and lifestyle changes to soften their appearance.
6 ways to relieve puffy eyes
1. Cool the eye area
By cooling your skin, you can encourage blood vessels to temporarily constrict, helping to reduce swelling. It’s one of the quickest ways to alleviate puffy eyes, especially in the morning.
You can try using:
- Chilled eye rollers.
- Cold spoons.
- Refrigerated eye creams.
- A cool compress.
2. Use an eye cream designed for puffiness
As your eye area is so delicate, specially-designed formulas can be really helpful, especially ones including caffeine. Look for ingredients that support circulation, strengthen your skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and provide lightweight hydration.
Product Pick: Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid & Coffee
Key benefits:
- Repurposed coffee extract helps stimulate circulation and reduce puffiness.
- Hyaluronic acid hydrates the delicate eye area.
- Maple bark extract helps improve the appearance of dark circles.
- Lightweight formula suitable for daily use.
3. Encourage lymphatic drainage with gentle massage
Under-eye puffiness can be linked to fluid that hasn’t been able to drain efficiently overnight. A gentle massage can help encourage lymphatic flow and reduce swelling.
Use an eye roller as you apply your eye cream to make this easy. For an extra cooling effect, store the roller in the fridge.
Using a gua sha tool aids lymphatic drainage in other areas of the face, which can help improve puffiness around the eyes. See our guide to using a gua sha tool.
4. Stay hydrated
Being dehydrated can cause your body to hold onto water, which can worsen puffiness around the eyes. This impacts the skin barrier, increasing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and making the area more sensitive.
Drinking enough water throughout the day helps maintain healthy circulation and fluid balance. Topically, using lightweight, hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin can help attract and retain moisture in the skin.
5. Reduce salt and alcohol
Consuming lots of salt encourages your body to retain water in order to maintain the right electrolyte balance. This excess fluid can accumulate in areas where the skin is thinner, such as under the eyes.
Alcohol can have a similar effect on the body. As a diuretic, it increases water loss and contributes to dehydration.
6. Prioritize good sleep
Sleep plays an important role in how your skin can repair itself and in circulation. Consistently getting enough good-quality sleep can make a big difference in reducing under-eye swelling.
The role of caffeine in reducing puffiness
When applied to the skin, caffeine can help improve the appearance of puffiness by:
- Supporting microcirculation Caffeine helps temporarily constrict blood vessels.
- Reducing fluid build-up: By stimulating circulation, caffeine can help minimize fluid retention beneath the eyes.
- Providing antioxidant protection: Caffeine is rich in antioxidants that help defend the skin from environmental stressors that contribute to inflammation.
This is why we include it in our multi-award-winning Eye Cream. If you’d like to learn more about this ingredient, read our guide to the benefits of caffeine for skin and hair.
With caffeine-rich formulas, gentle skincare, and a cooling eye roller, you can help your eye area appear brighter, smoother, and more refreshed.
Shop all of our natural skincare at UpCircle.