Is the skin under your eyes starting to sag so much that it’s starting to age you? Although under-eye bags are nothing serious, it’s understandable that you may be bothered by them. Not only are under-eye bags hard to hide (your concealer can only do so much), but they also take away that youthful glow.
If you’ve been struggling with eye bags, don’t worry — you don’t have to deal with it forever. Below are the best ways to treat your under-eye area so you can be confidently eye-bag-free again.
What causes eye bags?
When you wake up with eye bags, it can be tempting to blame it on your lack of sleep. But did you know that there’s more than one cause of under-eye bags? Before we dive into how to get rid of eye bags, let’s go over a few of the reasons why they’re there in the first place.
1. Aging
Your twenties are a scary time since it’s when your body’s ability to generate collagen begins to decline. When you lose collagen, the tissue under your eyes loses its elasticity and starts to sag. The fat that once supported your eyes then shifts toward your lower eyelids, making the skin look swollen.
2. Lack of sleep
A good night’s sleep is one of the keys to waking up without under-eye bags, but the reality is that people don’t really get the sleep they need. Sleep deprivation can cause your blood vessels to leak and combine with the fluids under your eyes. When you wake up, you’ll find that your under-eye area appears puffier and darker than usual.
3. Fluid retention
Are you a fan of cheese, chips, and tacos? Salty treats may be to blame for your under-eye bags. When you eat a lot of salty foods, your body becomes more prone to fluid retention. One of the places where the fluid can accumulate? Under your eyes, of course!
4. Sun damage
The sun can cause a wide range of skin concerns such as under-eye bags. Ultraviolet (UV) light can break down collagen and elastin, two essential proteins that maintain your skin’s structure. Excessive sun exposure can also dry out your under-eye area, depleting it of the moisture it needs to stay firm.
5. Alcohol intake
Don’t down too many drinks! Alcohol may be a fluid, but it can actually dehydrate your body. Dehydration causes the skin under your eyes to weaken, which in turn leads to under-eye bags, dark circles, and dryness.
6. Sleeping with makeup on
Completely remove your makeup (particularly eye makeup such as mascara and eyeshadow) to avoid waking up with puffy eyes. If you sleep with makeup on, you risk irritating the skin under your peepers. Before going to bed, remember to wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
How To Get Rid Of Eye Bags
Now that you know what causes eye bags, you may be wondering how you can get rid of them. Get ready to say goodbye to under-eye bags with these at-home remedies:
Get enough sleep
According to the National Sleep Foundation, you need at least seven hours of sleep per night, otherwise, the skin under your eyes will appear swollen and sunken. Lack of sleep can also lead to dark under-eye circles.
Apart from how long you sleep, how you sleep matters, too. Try wedging two or more pillows under your head while sleeping. By elevating your head, you’ll be able to prevent fluid from building up in your eyelids.
Stay hydrated
Since dehydration is a common cause of puffy eyes, the obvious solution would be to drink plenty of water. Adults need to drink around 2.7 liters of water a day to stay hydrated, but be sure to increase your water intake if you’ve had any alcohol.
Another way to keep the skin under your eyes well-hydrated is by using skincare products with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Use an eye cream
Since the skin around your eyes is very sensitive, you’re going to need gentler skincare products specifically made for that area. Seek a product that’s specially formulated for your eyes, such as an eye cream. Eye creams are designed to target common under-eye concerns like dark circles, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
Look for eye creams containing ingredients such as caffeine, peptides, vitamin C, and vitamin K to keep under-eye bags at bay. One of the most powerful ingredients your eye cream can have, however, is retinol — it promotes collagen production and restores your skin’s natural elasticity.
Apply a cold compress
Wondering how to get rid of eye bags in minutes? Apply a cold compress to your eyes. This can reduce the fluid retention that caused the puffiness. All you have to do is dip a clean washcloth in cold water, place it over your eyes, and let it sit there for a few minutes. Your eyebags should already be deflated before you step out of the door.
Alternatively, you can use a spoon to cool your under-eyes. Or if you’re feeling fancy, you can treat yourself to an at-home spa day by placing chilled cucumber slices on your closed eyes.
Practice sun safety
The sun isn’t always on your side. Stay out in the sun for too long and you’ll end up damaging your skin cells. Not only does this lead to the loss of elasticity, but it also causes premature skin aging and puts you at risk of skin cancer.
While it’s standard practice to put on sunscreen on your whole body, remember that your under-eye area is more delicate. Plus, putting sunscreen too close to your eyes can cause irritation. To protect your skin from the sun, be sure to use an eye cream with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30. Other sun protection tips to combat eye bags include wearing sunglasses, donning a wide-brimmed hat, and staying under the shade.
When should you see a doctor?
Under-eye bags are mainly a cosmetic problem and not a cause for concern, but you may consult a doctor if you feel self-conscious about them. A doctor can determine the cause of your under-eye bags, which will help them recommend the most suitable treatment for your situation.
Additionally, if your eye bags are due to genetics, you may need to consider a dermatologist treatment for under-eye bags. Although eye creams can reduce under-eye puffiness, medical treatments and procedures might be able to address them better and even better, eliminate them completely. Your doctor, for example, may recommend a lower eyelid lift or fillers to get rid of under-eye bags for good.
Skincare solutions formulated for your eyes
At PROVEN Skincare, we believe that every woman should have access to skincare solutions that make her feel her best, beautiful self. That’s why we created the Eye Cream Duo — it’s formulated with clean ingredients designed to depuff your under-eye bags, give you back your youthful glow, and ultimately, help you regain your confidence. And if you have other skin concerns such as fine lines and dryness under the eyes, our Eye Cream Duo has got you covered, too.
To get your personalized eye cream, complete our Skin Genome Quiz today. Once we’ve gotten to know your skin, we can create an eye cream formula that’s for your eyes only.
