.gif)
In the quest for a smoother, brighter complexion, learning how to get rid of eye bags can feel like an intimidating task. You might be wondering if it’s possible to smooth and depuff eye bags for good, or if alleviating them requires a trip to your dermatologist. The short answer is yes, there are ways to get rid of eye bags fast. With certain lifestyle changes to minimize eye bags, the right products, and the right treatments, smoother and less puffy eyes are possible.
What are the causes of undereye bags?
“For many individuals, undereye bags appear due to the loss of natural volume under the eyes as we age, resulting in puffy eye pockets under the lower eyelid,” explains dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. “This volume reduction is caused by decreased collagen and elastin production as we age, which helps keep skin firm and smooth.” Per Dr. Natasha Sandy, reduced collagen and elastin levels can begin as early as age 25. Experts also cite lack of sleep, genetics, lifestyle, eczema, or allergic reactions as other causes.
Oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton explains that “below the skin surface, there are layers consisting of muscle, connective tissue, ligaments, and fat that all contribute to the changes we see externally.” And although it’s tempting to simply start avid application of the latest undereye cream (and that is one solution!), Dr. Jeanniton adds that “we have to approach the problem from a more holistic perspective.”
Is it possible to get rid of undereye bags?
Like many skin conditions, the answer varies—and oftentimes it is dependent on how deep your undereye bags are. Generally speaking, Dr. Green says, “there are many nonsurgical treatments that can help reduce the appearance of undereye bags and dark circles, although they are not permanent solutions.” She says that these nonsurgical approaches can be long-lasting and are an extremely effective option for those who are not ready for surgery. However, if topical treatments do not work, experts say a surgery called blepharoplasty might be best to get rid of eye bags for good. In any case, always consult with your trusted skin expert (plastic surgeon Dr. Anil Shah advises consulting with both surgical and nonsurgical specialists) to determine the right treatment for you. Ahead, we’ve tapped eight of the industry’s leading doctors to detail the best ways to alleviate undereye bags.
Key Takeaways
- Eye bags are caused by reduced collagen and elastin levels, but also lack of sleep, certain health conditions like eczema or allergies, and genetics.
- There are many ways to treat undereye bags, including using skin-care products, improving your diet, getting enough sleep, and using cold compresses.
How to get rid of eye bags naturally at home
There are a lot of holistic and habitual things you can look at to treat your undereye bags. They include:
“So, only intermittent eye bags are going to respond to these at-home therapies,” Dr. Shah explains, citing that embracing a healthier, whole-food-rich diet is a great first step. Salty foods are “common culprits of water retention,” Dr. Jeanniton says, and water retention is one factor that can affect the appearance of eye bags. “If you have a lot of salt in your body, then the water is going to move toward the area where there is more salt to decrease the concentration of that.” Collagen supplements, any foods with vitamin A, like carrots and peppers, as well as foods rich in vitamin C, are helpful in counteracting this, as they are anti-inflammatory and water-soluble. Pineapples contain bromelain to “prevent swelling and puffiness,” Dr. Sandy adds. “You can take these things throughout the day in vitamin form, in juices, or as whole foods.”
“Drinking alcohol can dehydrate your body, weakening elasticity under the eyes,” Dr. Green explains. “If you suffer with this, you definitely want to decrease your alcohol intake,” Dr. Sandy adds. If you are going to drink, accompany any alcohol with copious amounts of water.
“Fluid retention is usually more to blame for undereye puffiness, but dehydration can also play a role,” Dr. Jeanniton says. “Dehydration can make eye bags look worse by amplifying the effects of excess salt, high alcohol, or poor sleep. Maintaining proper hydration enhances circulation, which helps remove excess fluid from the eye area.” Keep a water bottle on your desk or by your bed, and set a goal to refill it multiple times throughout the day.
“Develop good sleep hygiene to get a good night’s sleep because it’s one of the best prescriptions to combat eye bags,” says dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi. “Light at night, particularly blue light, is one of the reasons people don’t get enough sleep, as it suppresses the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that influences circadian rhythms.” To help this, she recommends using dim red light at night (red light is less likely to shift circadian rhythm and suppress melatonin). “I also suggest sleeping on a couple of pillows if you are prone to eye bags to minimize pooling fluid in the eye area.” Furthermore, Dr. Sandy says that rest can decrease stress levels and, therefore, your cortisol levels, which ultimately prevents eye bags.
Stress levels affect cortisol levels, which, in turn, increase the appearance and intensity of puffiness and bags under the eyes. “That is also why those with high stress levels experience acne,” Dr. Sandy notes. Meditation is one approach to reducing stress, as is exercise.
“Cold compresses are another popular home remedy that works to alleviate the appearance of dark circles and puffiness by shrinking blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the area to lessen inflammation,” says Dr. Green. “An ice pack, a frozen bag of vegetables, and refrigerated spoons are all practical tools that can be applied over the eyes for a few minutes to reduce swelling.” Or, you could pick up a cooling roller to practice a refreshing massage in the morning or whenever you’re experiencing puffiness; it makes for the ultimate undereye depuffer.
Dermatologist Dr. Suneel Chilukuri recommends applying cold cucumbers over the eyes for five minutes. The cucumber juice and the cold temperature act as anti-inflammatory compresses. Dr. Green adds that tea bags are an effective way to reduce the appearance of dark circles and undereye bags, as they are rich in antioxidants and caffeine and have anti-inflammatory properties that promote blood flow to the skin. Black or green tea is sufficient here. According to Dr. Shirazi, you could even apply chilled cucumbers soaked in tea to reduce eye bags in the a.m. “Cucumbers have a high water content and act like a natural ice pack, while the caffeine in black tea helps draw out the excess fluid,” she says. “The tea’s caffeine boosts circulation, soothes the area, and tightens the blood vessels in the undereyes, therefore reducing puffiness and inflammation.
“Promoting lymphatic drainage is a technique that I teach my patients who are prone to fluid retention in the area,” Dr. Jeanniton says. She recommends a gua sha stone massage to the lower lid, focusing on an upward and outward motion to encourage lymphatic movement. “It’s such a beauty favorite these days, and for good cause: It’s especially beneficial combined with an eye serum or eye cream to the area to minimize unintentional friction to delicate eyelid skin.”
Another option is the ever-popular jade roller to help improve lymphatic drainage, though Dermatologist Dr. Macrene Alexiades warns against using it if you don’t know how to do it the right way. “The correct way to do it is to gently roll toward the nose, not away from it,” she says. Consider putting the roller in the fridge first. A lot like putting ice on a bruise for the swelling to go down, a cold compress is essential to tightening up eye bags. “Eye gels are perfect for this,” Dr. Sandy adds. “You can put it in the freezer and then put it on your eyes to decrease the bags and swelling.”
Sometimes makeup gets stuck in the corners of our eyes, causing puffiness. That’s why it’s important to “gently exfoliate the eyelids after removing your makeup—every night!” Dr. Sandy suggests. “Very lightly sweep a soft, moist washcloth over the surfaces of your eyelids and through the roots of your lashes. This will lightly remove loose surface cells and prevent buildup on your lash line.”
Marisa Garshick, MD, a New York City–based board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, says that eating certain foods won’t necessarily treat undereye bags, but avoiding certain other ones can. Dr. Garshick points to foods high in salt as some of the foods that can make your eyes look puffy. “Reducing sodium intake is key,” she says. “Too much salt can lead to fluid retention, making puffiness more noticeable.”
Foods that can support hydration and decrease inflammation are good to incorporate into your diet, she says, if you’re looking for extra help with eye bags. She lists foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries and leafy greens, that can help with inflammation, while water-rich foods like cucumbers and watermelon can help with hydration.
Skin care that helps reduce eye bags
Your daily skin-care routine will help reduce (and prevent) the appearance of eye bags; you just need the right ingredients. Experts recommend the following ingredients to use:
“Skin-care products do a better job of preventing undereye bags than treating them once they have already formed,” says dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose. “Hyperpigmentation and vascular congestion are the causes of eye bags that are the most likely to be improved by skin-care products.” Retinol is the first ingredient our experts cite to look out for. “Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that works to exfoliate the skin, promoting cell turnover to reveal healthy, new skin cells,” Dr. Green explains. “[It] also inhibits melanin and encourages collagen production to soften dark undereye circles and improve fine lines and wrinkles.” Dr. Murphy-Rose is a fan of First Aid Beauty’s elixir, which treats the undereye through a blend of retinol, hyaluronic acid, oatmeal, and aloe.
“Additionally, products containing vitamin C can help protect the skin from excessive sun exposure, reduce signs of premature aging, and stimulate collagen to restore skin firmness,” Dr. Green mentions of the next ingredient to incorporate. Dr. Murphy-Rose adds that products featuring the ingredient “should be stored in the refrigerator to prolong potency.” Her favorites? Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream and Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme.
Experts say your daily caffeine isn’t just for energy: “Topical caffeine is a game-changer since it can constrict blood vessels and help expedite swelling,” says Dr. Shah. To give the ingredient a try, consider Clinique’s All About Eyes Serum, which Dr. Shirazi notes “hydrates instantly, making the skin appear smoother.” Then there’s the Pause Well-Aging Eye Renewal Treatment, which leads with caffeine and ginkgo biloba leaf extract to increase circulation and depuff, per Dr. Murphy-Rose. “Phylloquinone (a.k.a. vitamin K) is an antioxidant that helps to reduce inflammation, and acetyl tetrapeptide reduces undereye swelling while firming, hydrating, and smoothing the skin’s surface.”
Every now and then, you might stumble upon a quick fix that temporarily tightens the undereye to reduce the look of bags in seconds. Remember when Peter Thomas Roth’s Instant FirmX gel went viral on TikTok in 2020? Well, Dr. Shirazi still gives it her stamp of approval. “[It] uses sodium silicate, an inorganic salt that leaves a thin film on the skin,” she says. “When that film dries, it pulls the loose skin tight temporarily. The effects last for several hours.” Park Perfection’s serum has a similar skin-tightening effect. “It uses pullulan olivine extract, also found in breath strips, a polymer that forms a sheer film and pulls the skin tight for an instant cosmetic effect. This, plus sodium silicate, temporarily provides an instant skin-tightening effect as it adheres to the skin, making eye bags nonexistent.” Just remember that these treatments only last a few hours, and might be tricky under makeup.
Dr. Alexiades stresses the importance of wearing sunscreen on a daily basis and encourages patients to wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays, which age the skin faster. “The eye area is also often neglected when people are putting on sunscreen,” Dr. Sandy says, adding that one should use at least an SPF 30. “UVA and UVB rays can not only cause skin cancer, but they can also cause wrinkles and aging as the sun breaks down collagen and elastin, leading to eye bags and sagging, puffy skin.”
Apart from the fun and aesthetically pleasing designs for those selfies, eye masks make for great treatments for puffiness. Dr. Garshick says they may help, as long as you find the right ingredients. She says to look for eye masks that have caffeine, hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide, and antioxidants to hydrate, brighten, and boost collagen production. Pro tip: She says to keep them in the refrigerator to keep them cool and enhance their depuffing effect. As mentioned above, if you’re looking for a DIY option, she says you can use items like chilled cucumbers or cooled green tea bags as cold compresses.
Consider medical history
Another thing to consider with the bags under your eyes is your medical history. “If someone notices sudden or persistent undereye swelling, especially with other symptoms, it’s important to see a health care provider,” says Dr. Garshick. Two things to pay attention to include:
Believe it or not, many underlying health issues can cause eye bags, which is why it’s important to check with a health professional to ensure they aren’t related to a larger issue. “In particular, making sure that the thyroid function is balanced and that sinus dysfunction is not to blame is important,” Dr. Jeanniton says. “These conditions cause inflammation that can manifest as fullness under the eyes. Seeking treatment for the underlying condition is the first step to addressing the appearance of swollen eyes.” Although your menstrual cycle is not a health “issue,” it is important to take into account that your period can play a huge part in undereye puffiness as well.
“A lot of people have allergies and don’t even realize it,” Dr. Sandy says. “Even without having the itchiness that comes with allergies, or if you’re using contacts, it can sometimes irritate the eyes and cause fluid to build up under the eyes, creating the appearance of puffiness.” After consulting a doctor, she suggests antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin for those who have seasonal allergies to help decrease allergy-induced eye bags. Antihistamine eyedrops are also helpful when it comes to the bags and puffiness surrounding the eyes. Dr. Green recommends that those struggling with allergies see an allergist for medical advice. She notes to use an OTC antihistamine like Zyrtec during the day, or Benadryl at bedtime.
In-office treatments
Dr. Chilukuri uses aesthetic procedures such as Exilis Ultra and Botox to help stimulate collagen production and keep the skin firm and healthy. Dr. Alexiades likes to use a combination of the Vbeam Prima laser, which is a pulsed dye laser that constricts vessels and reduces both vascularity and puffiness, and Pico Genesis FX, which works to tighten the tissue, build collagen, and reduce both pigment and vascularity. “It is a winner for the undereye,” she says. Dr. Sandy adds that you can do an erbium laser treatment around the eyes, which works to make the skin look more youthful due to its ability to lessen the appearance of wrinkles and other skin issues.
You could also go the surgery route: “Blepharoplasty is the only great solution for undereye bags when they are caused by herniation of fat pads or significant excess skin,” Dr. Murphy-Rose notes. “Blepharoplasty is a same-day surgical procedure performed by plastic surgeons, oculoplastic surgeons, and dermatologic surgeons. The bags will be corrected in a quick surgical procedure. Once stitches are removed and swelling has subsided, the undereye bags should be gone.”
How to prevent eye bags from coming back?
Dr. Garshick says that eye bags are mostly considered genetic. But there are some lifestyle factors, at-home products, and in-office treatments that can help prevent them from coming back. “Getting adequate sleep, keeping the head elevated to reduce fluid buildup, limiting salt intake, and maintaining hydration can all help to prevent undereye bags,” says Dr. Garshick. “Treating any allergies can help to reduce swelling, and using cooling tools or chilled eye masks can also help to reduce puffiness.”
And the same ingredients and in-office treatments used to decrease the appearance of puffiness can also help prevent eye bags from occurring in the first place. She says to look for ingredients like caffeine and peptides to help improve the appearance of undereye skin and use sunscreen daily to protect from the sun s harmful UV rays. In-office treatments like laser resurfacing and microneedling can help boost collagen production and firm up the skin.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Macrene Alexiades is a double board-certified dermatologist in the European Union and US, clinical professor at Yale University School of Medicine, and founder of her Park Avenue private practice.
- Dr. Suneel Chilukuri is a Houston-based board-certified dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, as well as nonsurgical facelifts.
- Dr. Michele Green is a New York City–based and board-certified dermatologist whose practice offers state-of-the-art cosmetic dermatology.
- Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton is a board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon based in Brooklyn and founder of Epi.logic Skincare.
- Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose is a New York City–based board-certified dermatologist who specializes in facial rejuvenation techniques and noninvasive body contouring.
- Dr. Natasha Sandy is a board-certified physician with specialist training in dermatology who looks to help patients glow from the inside out.
- Dr. Anil Shah is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in all things face and is cofounder of Aesthetic Skin Chicago.
- Dr. Azadeh Shirazi is a California-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology.
- Dr. Marisa Garshick is a New York City–based board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.