If straight puffiness is your concern, topical eye products can most definitely help. Gel formulas are your new BFF, since they're more cooling than lotions or creams, says Rouleau. "Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels to reduce swelling and puffiness," she explains. Even better, choose one that contains caffeine: "Not only does caffeine help constrict the blood vessels, it's also a diuretic that helps flush out excess water," Chiu says. One to try: Garnier Skinactive Miracle Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel-Cream, $17. Products with metal applicators are also a smart choice. The metal tip is cooling (espesh if you stash it in your fridge), and using it to massage in the product helps promote drainage. Our go-to: First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy, $36.
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Or DIY
There's a whole slew of product-free ways to tamp down under-eye puffiness too, most of which involve things you already have in your kitchen. The classic trick? Keep two spoons in the freezer and put them on your eyes for five to 10 minutes when you need to de-puff, fast. You can even up the ante by applying two cold-steeped black tea bags underneath the spoons to reap the benefits of the caffeine, adds Chiu.
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Lifestyle Habits Matter Too, Though
It sounds simple, but sleeping on your back with your head propped up on a couple of extra pillows can help ensure that you don't wake up superswollen (if only everything in life was that easy). "Keeping your head elevated promotes drainage so that you don't retain as much fluid in your face," says Rouleau. And if you've ever noticed that your under-eye bags look way worse after a night of drinking adult beverages or noshing on salty snacks, you're totally right. Both salt and alcohol make you retain water and will exacerbate puffiness. We're not saying that you can never go out for chips and margs, but if you know that your eyes are prone to swelling, try to avoid these culprits at least right before bedtime.
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You May Think You Have Bags When You Actually Don't
"Patients complain about bags all the time, but most often they don't have herniated fat pads or puffiness," says Chiu. So what's the issue then? "Some people have hollowing or a deep grove under the eyes, which creates a shadow and makes the area underneath it look poochy and puffy. It's an optical illusion," notes Chiu. When that's the case, she suggests injectable fillers to fill in any hollow spots.
