Pillowy under-eyes are complicated, but if baggage is a concern, two main culprits—fat tissue and lymphedema—are likely to blame, says Dr. Barbara Sturm, who specializes in non-surgical skincare treatments. The former, "appears when the muscles around the eye are weakened and tissue moves lower," Sturm explains, whereas the latter, lymphedema, is often triggered by sleep deprivation, hormonal imbalances, high sodium food and genetics. In terms of prevention, Sturm cautions against eye-rubbing and recommends sleeping face up, which reduces nighttime water-retention. For a quicker fix, we polled dermatologists for their most effective semi-instant under-eye remedies. From Preparation H to black tea, here's what really works.
Slip Silk Pillowcase
Under-eye fluid retention is real, but sleeping on your back can reduce morning puffiness, according to Dr. Sturm.
Slip Silk Pillowcase, $79; sephora.com SHOP
Dr. Barbara Sturm Eye Cream
"Be careful how you apply cream around the eyes; gently pat it in," says Sturm, who recommends a cooling, lifting eye cream like her eponymous formula for non-invasive de-puffing.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Eye Cream, $140; molecular-cosmetics.com
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NYDG Skincare Re-Contour Eye Gel
When it comes to targeting under-eye puffiness at home, New York City dermatologist Dr. David Colbert advises looking for products with gentle ingredients–chamomile, algae extract, liquorice root, hyaluronic acid and oils like argan, pomegranate, or marula. For a quick fix, Colbert's eye gel combines hyaluronic acid with aloe, horse chestnut, and mulberry to calm puffiness and minimize dark circles.
NYDG Skincare Re-Contour Eye Gel, $60; mrporter.com
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Puffy the Eye Bag Slayer Wake-Up Under Eye Patches
"They're rich in skin hydrators, antioxidants, and retinol, and this plumps the skin, reduces inflammation, and stimulates collagen growth," says New York City dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD
Puffy the Eye Bag Slayer Wake-Up Under Eye Patches, $11; glossybox.com
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Ling Skincare Jade Roller
Zeichner recommends jade rolling up and down the face to shift excess fluid and promote blood level constriction. Plus it feels. So. Good.
Ling Skincare Jade Roller, $90; lingskincare.com
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La Bella Figura Découverte Undereye Repair Serums
"Botanical antioxidants can help prevent collagen damage, maintain skin elasticity, and help brighten under-eye pigmentation," Zeichner says. "Omega-3 fatty acids provide the building blocks to build healthy skin cells—and strong, resilient skin means less bulging of fat beneath, and less prominent blood vessels."
La Bella Figura Découverte Undereye Repair Serums, $115, labellafigurabeauty.com
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NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device with ELE Attachment
You simply run the tool across your face in a stroking motion, and it sends microcurrents that sculpt and contour your muscles. "It's like putting on a pair of Spanx," says Zeichner. "It helps thicken the skin to better hold in the bulging fat below." You're more likely to see long-lasting results with consistent use, but the instantaneous lift is noticeable.
NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device with ELE Attachment, $440; mynuface.com
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Preparation H Hemorrhoidal-Cream Maximum Strength
"The cream causes the muscles on blood vessel walls to constrict," says Zeichner. "This can help minimize puffiness from leaky blood vessels and can make a bluish under-eye discoloration look less apparent."
Preparation H Hemorrhoidal-Cream Maximum Strength, $7; drugstore.com
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Caffeinated Teabags
An easy at-home trick to help improve the symptoms of dark circles is to put black caffeinated teabags under the eyes, explains Sturm. "The natural tannins in tea act as astringents that constrict body tissue, thus reducing puffiness."
Cut Out Sugar
“Although there are many factors that influence under eye bags such as genetics, allergies, medical conditions, UV radiation exposure, sleep, hydration, salt, and alcohol consumption, there is another simple factor that can influence how the skin appears around the eyes and that is how sugar can impact your skin,” says Dr. Sue Ann Wee of Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC. The new year is a perfect time to kickstart a healthy diet and remove (or at least cut back) sugar from your diet.
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex
Dr. Wee also recommends SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex. The product contains anti-glycation ingredients to help protect the skin around the eye and reduce the appearance of under eye bags and wrinkles. “It also contains optical diffusers, anti-aging flavonoids and peptides, proxylane, and hydrating emollients to improve the appearance of under eye skin,” explains Dr. Wee.
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex, $97, dermstore.com
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