Introduction
You wake up in the morning and look in the mirror only to find that you have bags under your eyes. Many things from stress and lack of sleep to your diet and genetics can contribute to this. Although they are usually harmless, this condition can be cosmetically unappealing making you look tired, and a little bit older than your age. If you’re looking for effective ways to reduce the puffiness under your eyes, you came to the right place. Here are several home remedies that can help you get rid of bags under your eyes.
Use Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress to your eyes can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and constrict blood vessels around the eyes. To create a cold compress, soak a soft cloth in ice-cold water then wring out the excess water. Place the cloth over your closed eyes for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a chilled teaspoon or a gel-based eye mask. Reuse the remedy several times a day whenever needed. One precaution to keep in mind when using this remedy – avoid extreme cold temperatures as it can cause blood vessels to constrict even more.
Get More Sleep
Getting a full 7-9 hours of sleep is an effective way of preventing and reducing bags under the eyes since sleep deficiency can make your skin look pale and sallow. A good night’s sleep helps improve blood circulation, provides your skin more oxygen, and gives your skin a brighter hue. To optimize your sleep, set a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule, ease into bed every night to reduce stimulation, and limit exposure to screens before bedtime.
Reduce Salt Intake
A high-sodium diet can cause fluid retention, which can in turn result in puffiness under the eyes. To combat this issue, avoiding processed food, salty snacks, and adding you take in less than 2300 mg of sodium every day. Instead, incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet as they are natural diuretics.
Use Tea Bags
Tea bags are rich in antioxidants and tannin content making them a helpful remedy for reducing swelling and tightening skin. To use this remedy, soak the tea bags of your choice in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Allow the tea bags to cool then place them over your eyes for 10-15 minutes. After removing the tea bags, rinse your eyes with clean water and apply a moisturizer. Black tea bags and green tea bags work just fine. However, people swear by chamomile tea due to its anti-inflammatory benefits.
Drink more Water
Dehydration can lead to puffy eyes, and hence, it’s important to keep yourself adequately hydrated. Drinking a minimum of 8-10 glasses of water in a day is an efficient way of ensuring that you are staying properly hydrated. Furthermore, drinking sufficient water every day also helps flush out harmful toxins from your body, consequently aiding in removing the appearance of eye bags.
Apply Retinoid Cream
Retinoid cream is an excellent way of treating bags in the long term. These topical forms of vitamin A can help stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture, and strengthen the skin’s elasticity. Regular use of retinoid cream can minimize the appearance of bags under your eyes. Be sure to use it as directed by your doctor and to not overuse it to avoid excessive dryness.
Try Facial Exercises
Facial exercises firm up your facial muscles, which in turn helps to reduce the appearance of bags under your eyes and promote complexion. There are many different exercises you can try, including the puff, which involves closing your mouth, and then holding the air inside your cheeks. Hold it for two seconds, then blow it out. Repeat that for ten times to firm up the buccinators or cheek muscles.
Conclusion
When it comes to reducing bags under the eyes, you don’t have to spend a lot of time and money on high-end cosmetics or procedures. Instead, home remedies such as using a cold compress, getting more sleep, reducing salt and increasing water intake can provide prompt relief. However, for long-term benefits, try incorporating facial exercises and beauty creams such as retinoid cream. Just keep in mind that these remedies require patience and consistent practice, and be sure to consult with a doctor before incorporating retinoid cream into your skincare routine or if the condition persists despite intensive efforts.