6 Eye Puffiness Causes + 4 Acupressure Points + Editor’s Tried-and-Tested Method to Eliminate Swollen Eyes

Ever wake up with suddenly puffy eyes? That under-eye swelling, often accompanied by dark circles and eye bags, makes your eyes look smaller and gives off a tired, aged appearance. Many women panic when they look in the mirror and see swollen eyes, rushing to try all sorts of remedies. This guide breaks down the causes of eye puffiness and effective ways to reduce it—so you’ll know exactly what to do next time it strikes!

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Causes of Eye Puffiness

Naturally, bright and clear eyes are a sign of health. But when you’re sleep-deprived or under stress, inflammation and fluid retention can cause your eyelids to swell, making your eyes look puffier than usual. Understanding the underlying causes is key to treating the problem effectively.

Cause 1: Genetics

Eye puffiness can be hereditary. If your family members also have puffy eyes, it may be genetic, known as primary eye bags, often seen in younger people. The main cause is an excess of orbital fat from birth.

Cause 2: Poor Sleep Quality

Many urban dwellers stay up late. Adults should ideally get 7–9 hours of sleep each night. Insufficient rest causes fluid buildup and increases the chance of waking up with puffy eyes.

Cause 3: Unhealthy Habits

Certain lifestyle habits contribute to puffiness—such as drinking a lot of water right before bed, leading to water retention the next morning. Also, high salt or sugar intake causes sodium levels to rise, making it harder for the body to flush out fluids, which contributes to swollen eyes.

Cause 4: Allergies

A common issue in urban areas. Allergies caused by dust, pollen, pet hair, or seasonal changes can make the skin unstable and sensitive, resulting in eye puffiness.

Cause 5: Aging

As we age, we lose collagen around the eyes, which reduces skin firmness and causes drooping, creating the illusion of puffiness, even if there’s no actual swelling.

Cause 6: Illness

Infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye) can cause eye redness and swelling, especially during flu season. Other conditions like styes (small red bumps along the eyelid) can also lead to puffiness around the eyes.

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3 Quick Steps to Reduce Puffiness

If your eye puffiness is occasional—caused by poor sleep or drinking too much water—try these quick and easy remedies using everyday items:

Method 1: Cold/Hot Towel Compress

Soak a towel in warm water and place it gently over your eyes for 5 minutes. Then switch to a cold towel for another 5 minutes. This hot-cold alternating method promotes blood circulation and helps drain excess fluid. It’s especially useful if you stare at screens all day—relieving fatigue, puffiness, and even dark circles.

Method 2: Cucumber Slices

Like the classic TV drama scene, placing chilled cucumber slices on the eyes actually works! Cucumbers are high in potassium, which helps remove excess salt and fluids from the body—making it a great emergency fix for sudden puffiness.

Method 3: Gentle Massage

Use your fingertips to gently massage around the eye area. The warmth and pressure help improve blood flow and refresh the eyes. Apply your regular eye cream first, then use your middle and ring fingers to lightly tap and massage from the inner corner outward. Continue until the product is fully absorbed.

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Two Super Easy Tricks to Reduce Eye Puffiness (Anyone Can Do!)

Sometimes puffiness sticks around all day—and even comes with red noses or a swollen face. Here are two super simple tricks that every woman can try at home:

Quick Fix 1: 10-Minute De-Puffing Method

No tools needed! Just rinse your fingers under cold water for a few minutes until they feel chilled. Then use your fingers to gently press from the inner corners of your eyes toward the outer corners. Repeat several times to help drain retained fluid.

Quick Fix 2: Overnight Recovery Method

Wet your face with cold water, then wrap some crushed ice in a towel and apply it to the swollen areas around your eyes for about 15 minutes. This “emergency ice pack” helps tighten capillaries and reduce swelling.

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Acupressure Points for Puffy Eyes

The skin around the eyes is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of the face. Factors like screen time, lack of sleep, or skin pulling can hinder blood circulation, leading to water retention and puffiness. Want to wake up refreshed instead of swollen? Try massaging these 4 acupressure points to reduce puffiness and lift your eye contour instantly:

Point 1: Zan Zhu

Located in the depressions at the inner ends of your eyebrows. Massaging this point helps relieve eye fatigue, dryness, and swelling. Office workers who stare at screens should press this point regularly. Use your thumbs to press for about 10 seconds.

Point 2: Jing Ming

Found near the inner corners of your eyes, close to the sides of your nose. This point promotes blood flow and fluid drainage in the eye area. When your eyes feel tired or dry, use your thumbs to gently massage this area.

Point 3: Si Zhu Kong

Located near the temples. Use your thumb, index, and middle fingers to press this area while exhaling. Repeat 6 times to boost blood circulation and reduce under-eye fluid buildup.

Point 4: Cheng Qi

Located just under the orbital bone below your eye. Massaging this point helps relieve eye bags and dark circles. Gently press for 2–3 minutes until you feel a slight soreness or tingling.

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Eat Smart to Prevent Puffy Eyes! 4 Diet Tips for Bright, Clear Eyes

Puffy eyes are often linked to overall water retention in the body. Eating too much salty, sweet, or heavily flavored food can cause excess sodium to build up, making it hard for your body to flush out fluids—resulting in eye puffiness. Here’s how to adjust your diet:

Tip 1: Eat Potassium-Rich Fruits and Veggies

Potassium helps regulate sodium levels and remove excess water. Great sources include pumpkin, sweet potatoes, bananas, and kiwis. These foods also support healthy blood circulation and metabolism, promoting fluid drainage and reducing puffiness.

Tip 2: Drink Plenty of Water

Don’t fall for the myth that drinking water causes puffiness. In fact, dehydration makes it harder to flush out waste and sodium. Adults should aim to drink 2–3 liters of water daily to help reduce swelling and keep the eyes clear and alert.

Tip 3: Avoid Processed Foods

Stay away from processed meats like sausages, ham, or instant noodles. These are packed with sodium and can easily cause bloating and puffiness. Choose fresh, whole ingredients over high-sodium options.

Tip 4: Go Easy on Sauces and Salty Dishes

Avoid overly saucy or intensely flavored meals, which are often high in sodium. These can lead to water retention—not just in your face, but especially around your eyes.

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Eat Your Way to Brighter Eyes: 4 Diet Tips to Prevent Puffiness

Puffy eyes are often caused by water retention, which can result from eating overly salty, sweet, or heavily flavored foods. These can cause sodium to build up in your body, leading to fluid retention and swelling around the eyes. Here are four low-sodium dietary tips to help you prevent puffy eyes and keep your gaze bright and fresh:

1. Load Up on Potassium-Rich Fruits and Vegetables

Potassium helps regulate blood pressure and balance sodium levels in the body — making it a great natural remedy for water retention and puffiness. Foods like pumpkin, sweet potato, banana, and kiwi are all rich in potassium. They also improve blood circulation and boost metabolism, helping your body flush out excess fluids and reduce under-eye swelling.

2. Stay Hydrated

Think drinking more water will make puffiness worse? Actually, it’s the opposite! When your body is dehydrated, it holds on to whatever water it has — leading to swelling and puffiness. To keep your system running smoothly and your eyes looking fresh, aim to drink 2–3 liters of water daily.

3. Cut Back on Processed Foods

Processed meats like sausages, ham, and luncheon meat — as well as instant noodles — are high in sodium. Consuming too much can lead to fluid retention and puffy eyes. Try to swap these out for fresh, whole ingredients whenever possible.

4. Avoid Dishes with Excess Sauce

Heavily sauced or richly flavored foods are often sodium bombs. Too much sodium can quickly lead to water retention and visible puffiness around the eyes. Opt for lightly seasoned meals instead to keep things in check.

7. Home Remedies for Puffy Eyes

When it comes to tackling puffy eyes, there are plenty of DIY methods out there. But have you heard of these two lesser-known remedies?

Remedy 1: Hemorrhoid Cream

Surprisingly, some people use over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams around the eye area. These creams often contain phenylephrine, which helps shrink blood vessels and reduce swelling. By lightly dabbing the cream (avoiding direct contact with the eyes), users aim to minimize puffiness. However, this method carries a risk of irritation or allergic reaction, so extreme caution is required.

Remedy 2: Chilled Tea Bags

Besides using a cold towel, chilled black tea bags can also help reduce under-eye swelling. After steeping and squeezing out excess liquid, place the tea bags in the freezer for a few hours. The tannins in black tea are thought to help tighten skin and reduce puffiness.

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Popular Medical Treatments for Puffy Eyes

If your puffiness is persistent and affecting your overall appearance, it might be time to consider professional solutions. Here are three common medical aesthetics treatments for puffy eyes:

1. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections

A dermatologist injects hyaluronic acid into the under-eye area to plump up the skin and smooth out puffiness. Strategic placement near the outer corners of the eyes also provides a lifting effect. While effective, results typically last 12 to 18 months, and improper technique may lead to uneven skin texture.

2. Laser Resurfacing

Laser treatments can reduce fine lines and tighten the skin around the eyes by stimulating collagen production. However, since lasers use high-energy light, they can cause irritation or sensitivity. Always consult a licensed dermatologist before proceeding.

3. Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy

Unlike injections or lasers, RF therapy is completely non-invasive. It works by heating the skin to stimulate blood circulation and reduce swelling. Multi-polar RF can penetrate into the dermis and is often paired with red and blue LED light therapy. The combined effect helps dissolve fat, drain fluids, and detoxify the under-eye area.

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No More Daily Eye Cream: De-Puff in Just 30 Minutes with R6 Miracle Eye Rescue Treatment

Tried every home remedy and splurged on expensive creams with no success? Perfect Medical's R6 Miracle Eye Rescue Treatment might be your answer.

The R6 system uses three levels of RF energy to tighten skin at all depths—superficial, mid, and deep. It boosts microcirculation, dissolves excess fat, and smooths out eye bags, dark circles, and wrinkles. It also stimulates collagen production, helping restore elasticity to hollow or wrinkled areas. The result: youthful, lifted, brighter eyes.

Perfect Medical is currently offering a free trial of the R6 treatment. Just click the link below to book and experience the treatment yourself.

Editor’s Review: Real Results from the R6 Miracle Eye Rescue Treatment

As someone who’s struggled with under-eye puffiness for years, I’ve tried just about everything—including the infamous hemorrhoid cream trick. In my opinion, the cream is about as effective as caffeine-based products. The biggest downside? It takes forever to apply carefully, especially during a rushed morning routine. Eventually, I gave up.

I’ve also tried chilled tea bags, spoons, and ice cubes. They all work temporarily, but by mid-morning, the puffiness is back. These hacks just don't hold up in real life. If you want long-lasting results, only medical-grade treatments will do. That’s why I decided to test out the R6 treatment.

The R6 session felt warm and relaxing. And yes, I saw results immediately. The puffiness shrank noticeably, my double eyelids became more defined, and even the corners of my eyes looked lifted. I looked younger and more refreshed—less like a tired middle-aged woman!

But here’s the key: longevity. Other methods may work temporarily, but they don't last. If results don't last, they’re not worth it.

Luckily, Perfect Medical offers the first session for free. That let me test it thoroughly before committing. And I can say with confidence: the results are real and long-lasting. The lifting and de-puffing effects stayed for one to two weeks, gradually fading instead of disappearing overnight. Bonus: my eye bags shrank too, with no rebound.

This review comes from personal experience. I paid out of pocket for the full treatment. If you have puffiness, bags, or tired-looking eyes, I highly recommend giving it a try—but test it first to see if it suits your skin.