Puffy Eyes

Problem: I have puffy eyes that sometimes don't go away until midday. They look awful and I've tried lots of eye products that don't change a thing.

Solution: There are no cosmetics or miracle eye moisturizers that can alter puffy eyes, but a lot of things can cause the skin around the eyes to swell. Lack of sleep is not as big a factor for puffy eyes as it is for bloodshot eyes. If anything, sitting up instead of lying down prevents fluids from collecting in the tissues around the eye. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated and making sure that your neck has the support it needs can help prevent fluid retention. Alcohol consumption and a diet high in salt can cause water retention and increase puffiness around the eyes. Contact lenses can cause irritation and swelling, so be sure that you are wearing the most comfortable type for your vision correction. Many of the same things that cause bloodshot eyes can also make the area around your eyes puffy.

Be sure to take your makeup off meticulously at night, do not rub your eyes, and take an antihistamine if you have allergies. If you are sensitive to skin-care or makeup products, avoid them. Preventing dryness around the eyes can also be very helpful in reducing swelling. If dryness is your problem, a lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer will help. Be certain the moisturizer does not contain any irritating ingredients that could make matters worse. If you have time in the morning, place cool compresses on the eyes.

If none of these things help alleviate the problem, the natural appearance of your eyes may just be puffy. Most typically this is caused from overly large fat pads around the eye (everyone has fat pads around the eye) creating a puffy-looking bulge. If that is the case, the only way to get rid of the problem is with cosmetic surgery, which in most cases is incredibly effective.