Puffy Eyes: Home Remedies That Work

Do you have puffy eyes due to aging, drinking, smoking, stress or just about anything else? Don't despair - there is help and it's free! The four remedies listed below are free and easy to do and will go a long way in reducing your puffy eyes.

1. Green or black tea. Caffeinated teas help constrict blood vessels and diminish swelling (due to aging, smoking, stress, etc), while herbal teas (especially chamomile) contain anti-irritants that soothe and reduce puffiness.

Directions: Steep 2 bags of your choice of tea in hot water for 4-5 minutes. Let cool until the bags are comfortably warm to the touch. Lie down, close your eyes, and place a tea bag over each eye; then cover with a soft cloth. During hot months, put the cooked tea bags in the refrigerator and apply to eyes when needed for a refreshing, de-puffing experience.

2. Spoons. If you're going out and need a super-quick reduction of puffy eyes, teaspoon-size spoons, believe it or not, work wonders.

Directions: Put 4 or 6 spoons in the refrigerator. Lie down, close your eyes, and put a spoon on each eye. As the spoon warms, replace it with a cold one from the fridge.

3. Cucumbers. This is probably the best-known remedy, known among supermodels as a sure-fire way to reduce puffiness right before a photo-shoot. The cucumber's astringent properties cause blood vessels to constrict, thereby reducing puffy eyes.

Directions: Lean your head back, put a slice on each closed eye, and relax for five to ten minutes while the 'cumbers cure your puffiness.

4. Egg whites. Here's a real souffl for the face with some amazing age-defying benefits. This one's wonderful for reducing crow's feet as well!

Directions: Beat an egg white until it nearly forms soft peaks, and apply with a brush or soft cloth around your eye, along your cheekbone and outer eye area. Leave on for 10 minutes. Remove by spritzing the egg white with water and then use cold water on a cotton ball or washcloth to gently remove.

5. The Potato. Highly underrated, this wonderful gravy-mate has a vast array of healing and anti-aging qualities, including pampering your puffy eyes.

In European folk medicine the potato is tried and true as a means to soothe painful joints, headaches, and other inflammatory conditions. Potato starch also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to ease those puffy eyes.

Directions: Peel one potato, then wash and dry it. Grate the potato as finely as possible. Place the pulp in a clean cloth and fold to make a poultice. Place the poultice on your eyelids for 15 minutes, and behold your de-puffed eyes.

6. Cold water rinse. My personal experience with this one is amazing. On workday mornings when you just have a few minutes to get ready, you have no time to luxuriate with potatoes and cucumber slices, but don't despair. Cold water works in seconds!

Directions: Turn on the faucet and wait for the water to get cold. Rinse your face with several good splashes of cold water. The coolness of the water will constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling in under ten seconds. Plus, you'll be very awake by now!

7. Salt. French fries, pepperoni pizza and other salty foods often cause puffy eyes. However, salt by itself is great for reducing them!

Directions: Mix 1/2 teaspoon salt into 1 quart warm water. Soak cotton balls or facial pads into the solution, then lie down and apply pads to your eyelids. Leave on for at least ten minutes while keeping the pads in place. When you're done, you'll be amazed at your younger looking de-puffed eyes.