Rituals
A party-ready routine featuring the viral K-beauty brand Tirtir
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A common concern, under-eye puffiness can often leave us looking more tired than we feel. While factors like a balanced diet, proper hydration and a full night’s sleep typically keep the under-eye area looking refreshed, there are times when puffiness seems unavoidable. Even with the best habits, facial bloating can occur unexpectedly.
The skin beneath your eyes is particularly thin and sensitive, making it more susceptible to various factors that can cause swelling or dark circles. While genetics and the natural ageing process certainly play a role, environmental factors and certain lifestyle choices can contribute to the concern. And understanding these causes is the first step in managing and reducing puffiness effectively.
Lack of sleep: One of the biggest offenders, poor sleep disrupts blood circulation and causes fluid to accumulate under the eyes, making way for puffiness and under-eye bags. Chronic lack of rest also hinders your body’s ability to repair skin, leading to more pronounced puffiness over time.
Dehydration: When your body is thirsty, it holds onto water, leading to swelling. Dehydration can also cause the skin around your eyes to appear dull and sag, amplifying the effects of puffiness.
Excess salt or alcohol: Too many salty midnight snacks or late nights can cause fluid retention, too. Both salt and alcohol disrupt this balance, causing the skin under your eyes to appear bloated and inflamed.
Allergies: Known to cause inflammation, allergies are your body’s fight response and can affect the under-eye area as well. Allergic reactions increase histamine production, which can lead to fluid retention and puffiness around the eyes.
Hormonal changes: Menstrual cycles or hormonal imbalances can trigger swelling. As the shift increases water retention, it causes your face—particularly around the eyes—to feel puffy and swollen.
Ageing: As we age, collagen production decreases and the fat under our eyes can become more visible. This natural process results in thinner skin and less support for the under-eye area, making puffiness more noticeable.
The good news is that puffy eyes aren’t always permanent. Here are a few easy ways to de-puff and brighten up:
Cooling your skin can work wonders—not just for your eyes but for your whole face. Apply a cooling eye mask or use an ice roller for 5–10 minutes. For added benefits, pair this with a quick gua sha massage or a face-tapping routine to stimulate lymphatic drainage.
Use a targeted serum, like one infused with hyaluronic acid or caffeine, to hydrate and tighten the under-eye area.
Try this technique: Apply a layer of vitamin C or caffeine-infused moisturiser or oil around your eyes. Then, gently sweep your fingers upward along your brow bone, down over your under-eye area towards your temple, and finally down to your neck. This motion helps to flush out and drain any puffiness. Additionally, you can also incorporate retinol in your PM routine as it promotes collagen production and thickens the skin over time. Apply a retinol eye cream before bed to improve the appearance of fine lines and reduce puffiness in the long run.
Sleep is always a game-changer. Hydrate first; and then aim for a full night’s rest. Elevate your head slightly with an extra pillow to prevent any fluid buildup.
The skin beneath your eyes is particularly thin and sensitive, making it more susceptible to various factors that can cause swelling or dark circles. While genetics and the natural ageing process certainly play a role, environmental factors and certain lifestyle choices can contribute to the concern. And understanding these causes is the first step in managing and reducing puffiness effectively.
Lack of sleep: One of the biggest offenders, poor sleep disrupts blood circulation and causes fluid to accumulate under the eyes, making way for puffiness and under-eye bags. Chronic lack of rest also hinders your body’s ability to repair skin, leading to more pronounced puffiness over time.
Dehydration: When your body is thirsty, it holds onto water, leading to swelling. Dehydration can also cause the skin around your eyes to appear dull and sag, amplifying the effects of puffiness.
Excess salt or alcohol: Too many salty midnight snacks or late nights can cause fluid retention, too. Both salt and alcohol disrupt this balance, causing the skin under your eyes to appear bloated and inflamed.
Allergies: Known to cause inflammation, allergies are your body’s fight response and can affect the under-eye area as well. Allergic reactions increase histamine production, which can lead to fluid retention and puffiness around the eyes.
Hormonal changes: Menstrual cycles or hormonal imbalances can trigger swelling. As the shift increases water retention, it causes your face—particularly around the eyes—to feel puffy and swollen.
Ageing: As we age, collagen production decreases and the fat under our eyes can become more visible. This natural process results in thinner skin and less support for the under-eye area, making puffiness more noticeable.
The good news is that puffy eyes aren’t always permanent. Here are a few easy ways to de-puff and brighten up:
Cooling your skin can work wonders—not just for your eyes but for your whole face. Apply a cooling eye mask or use an ice roller for 5–10 minutes. For added benefits, pair this with a quick gua sha massage or a face-tapping routine to stimulate lymphatic drainage.
Use a targeted serum, like one infused with hyaluronic acid or caffeine, to hydrate and tighten the under-eye area.
Try this technique: Apply a layer of vitamin C or caffeine-infused moisturiser or oil around your eyes. Then, gently sweep your fingers upward along your brow bone, down over your under-eye area towards your temple, and finally down to your neck. This motion helps to flush out and drain any puffiness. Additionally, you can also incorporate retinol in your PM routine as it promotes collagen production and thickens the skin over time. Apply a retinol eye cream before bed to improve the appearance of fine lines and reduce puffiness in the long run.
Sleep is always a game-changer. Hydrate first; and then aim for a full night’s rest. Elevate your head slightly with an extra pillow to prevent any fluid buildup.
The skin beneath your eyes is particularly thin and sensitive, making it more susceptible to various factors that can cause swelling or dark circles. While genetics and the natural ageing process certainly play a role, environmental factors and certain lifestyle choices can contribute to the concern. And understanding these causes is the first step in managing and reducing puffiness effectively.
Lack of sleep: One of the biggest offenders, poor sleep disrupts blood circulation and causes fluid to accumulate under the eyes, making way for puffiness and under-eye bags. Chronic lack of rest also hinders your body’s ability to repair skin, leading to more pronounced puffiness over time.
Dehydration: When your body is thirsty, it holds onto water, leading to swelling. Dehydration can also cause the skin around your eyes to appear dull and sag, amplifying the effects of puffiness.
Excess salt or alcohol: Too many salty midnight snacks or late nights can cause fluid retention, too. Both salt and alcohol disrupt this balance, causing the skin under your eyes to appear bloated and inflamed.
Allergies: Known to cause inflammation, allergies are your body’s fight response and can affect the under-eye area as well. Allergic reactions increase histamine production, which can lead to fluid retention and puffiness around the eyes.
Hormonal changes: Menstrual cycles or hormonal imbalances can trigger swelling. As the shift increases water retention, it causes your face—particularly around the eyes—to feel puffy and swollen.
Ageing: As we age, collagen production decreases and the fat under our eyes can become more visible. This natural process results in thinner skin and less support for the under-eye area, making puffiness more noticeable.
The good news is that puffy eyes aren’t always permanent. Here are a few easy ways to de-puff and brighten up:
Cooling your skin can work wonders—not just for your eyes but for your whole face. Apply a cooling eye mask or use an ice roller for 5–10 minutes. For added benefits, pair this with a quick gua sha massage or a face-tapping routine to stimulate lymphatic drainage.
Use a targeted serum, like one infused with hyaluronic acid or caffeine, to hydrate and tighten the under-eye area.
Try this technique: Apply a layer of vitamin C or caffeine-infused moisturiser or oil around your eyes. Then, gently sweep your fingers upward along your brow bone, down over your under-eye area towards your temple, and finally down to your neck. This motion helps to flush out and drain any puffiness. Additionally, you can also incorporate retinol in your PM routine as it promotes collagen production and thickens the skin over time. Apply a retinol eye cream before bed to improve the appearance of fine lines and reduce puffiness in the long run.
Sleep is always a game-changer. Hydrate first; and then aim for a full night’s rest. Elevate your head slightly with an extra pillow to prevent any fluid buildup.
