Can Tea Bags, Cucumber Slices, or Job’s Tears Water Get Rid of Eye Bags? 10 Popular DIY Eye Bag Remedies (Plus One That Actually Works!)

“How can I get rid of eye bags naturally?” is one of the most searched beauty questions online — and for good reason. Most people are hoping to avoid surgery, injections, or costly eye bag removal treatments. That’s why home remedies — no matter how odd they sound — continue to gain traction. Some are even willing to risk irritation by applying harsh substances directly to the delicate skin around the eyes.

But do these tricks actually work? Or are they just a waste of time that could make your eye bags worse?

In this article, we’ll explore 10 viral remedies for eye bags, review their effectiveness, and introduce some simple at-home massage techniques and dietary tips that may help reduce puffiness — without going under the knife.

1

Know Your Enemy: The Causes and Types of Eye Bags

Before starting your mission to eliminate eye bags, it’s important to understand what causes them — and what you’re actually dealing with.

Eye bags are the puffy, protruding areas under the eyes, often caused by a buildup of fat, sagging skin, or thinning of the orbital septum (the membrane that holds fat in place).

A common mistake is confusing eye bags with dark circles. While both can make you look tired, they’re different issues:

• Eye bags affect the contour and volume under the eyes, making you look older or fatigued.
• Dark circles are often due to pigmentation or visible blood vessels, giving the under-eye area a dull or shadowy appearance.

To tackle eye bags effectively, it’s crucial to identify their underlying cause and type.

2

What Causes Eye Bags?

Eye bags don’t form overnight. They usually result from a mix of factors. Here are the most common types:

Puffy (Fluid-Retention) Eye Bags

The most common and temporary type. These often appear after late nights, salty meals, or drinking too much water before bed — all of which can lead to fluid retention under the eyes.

Other triggers include screen overuse (computers, phones), eye strain, and emotional stress like crying, which can disrupt blood circulation and lead to puffiness.

Genetic (Hereditary) Eye Bags

Some people are born more prone to eye bags due to genetics. If under-eye fat pads are naturally fuller or if connective tissues are weaker from a young age, bags may appear early and worsen with age.

Aging-Related Eye Bags

As we age, collagen loss causes the skin to lose firmness and elasticity. The membrane that holds fat under the eye can thin out, allowing fat to protrude. Meanwhile, muscles like the orbicularis oculi also weaken, contributing to sagging and puffiness.

3

5 Viral DIY Remedies for Eye Bags — Do They Work?

The internet is full of beauty hacks promising to erase eye bags. But are they actually safe or effective? Here’s what the science (and common sense) says:

1. Warm Egg Massage

Heat can help boost circulation, which might reduce fluid-related puffiness. But a warm egg is hard to temperature-control — too hot, and you risk burning your delicate under-eye skin. Plus, it does nothing for fat deposits or sagging. Use with extreme caution (or skip it entirely).

2. Cold Spoon Eye Press

Chilled metal spoons can temporarily reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels. They may provide short-term relief after a long night or crying session — but the effect is superficial and fades quickly.

3. Job’s Tears Water (Coix Seed) Compress

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Job’s Tears is believed to reduce swelling. Applying it topically might help drain puffiness — but again, results vary, and soaking the skin too long may lead to irritation. Those with sensitive skin should be cautious.

4. Cold Tea Bags

Tea contains antioxidants like catechins that may soothe inflammation and mildly reduce puffiness. However, results depend on tea strength, temperature, and your skin’s response. A gentle remedy, but not a miracle cure.

5. Lemon Slices

Vitamin C is great for skin — but lemons are highly acidic and can severely irritate or even burn delicate under-eye skin. This hack is not only ineffective, it’s dangerous. Avoid completely.

4

So... Do These Remedies Actually Work?

Most viral home remedies aim to improve blood flow or reduce puffiness temporarily, which may help with fluid-based eye bags. But they do very little for hereditary or aging-related eye bags that involve structural changes beneath the skin.

In fact, some of these hacks may cause irritation, allergic reactions, or even long-term damage if used incorrectly. Always prioritise safety when trying DIY skincare solutions — especially around the eyes.

5

A Better Option: Eye Massage Techniques That Actually Help

Instead of relying on gimmicks, why not try proven eye massage techniques? Done correctly, these can help stimulate blood and lymph flow, reduce puffiness, tighten skin, and even soften the appearance of dark circles and eye bags.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage with Eye Cream

The lymphatic system is responsible for removing excess fluids and waste from tissues. Light massage can help reduce puffiness and drain fluid from the under-eye area.

Step 1: Choose the right eye cream

Opt for a lightweight, non-greasy eye cream with gentle ingredients. Avoid anything too heavy, as it may overload the thin under-eye skin.

Step 2: Massage direction

Using the pad of your ring finger (it applies the least pressure), start at the inner corner of your eye and lightly sweep outward along the lower lash line. Then move up over the brow bone and back to the starting point — tracing an oval around your eye. Repeat this 5–10 times.

Step 3: Pressure control

Be gentle — your touch should feel like a feather grazing the skin. Avoid tugging or pressing too hard, as this can cause wrinkles or damage.

6

Eye Bag Lifting Massage & Acupressure for Firmer Skin

If your eye bags are caused by mild skin laxity, this lifting massage technique may help improve firmness around the under-eye area.

Finger placement: Use the pads of your ring fingers to gently press the most prominent part of your eye bags.

Lifting motion: With light pressure, glide your fingers upward from below the eye bags toward the temples. You should feel a subtle lifting sensation. Repeat this motion 5–10 times.

Duration: Keep each massage session to around 5–10 minutes. Avoid over-massaging, which may irritate the delicate skin.

Targeted Acupressure

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes the body contains key energy points (acupoints), and stimulating them can boost circulation and relieve tension. When applied to the eye area, acupressure may support healthier skin and reduce puffiness.

Yuyao Point: Located at the midpoint of the eyebrows, directly above the pupils. Massaging this point can boost circulation and relieve eye strain, especially helpful for tired, puffy eyes.

Sibai Point: Found about one finger-width below the eyes on the cheekbone. Stimulating this point may help ease dark circles and eye bags by promoting blood flow.

How to massage: Use the pads of your index or middle fingers to gently press these acupoints for 3–5 seconds each, then release. Repeat 5–10 times, optionally adding a soft circular motion.

7

More Than Massage: Daily Habits to Help Reduce Eye Bags

Massage isn’t the only way to fight eye bags — building good lifestyle habits is just as essential. Caring for the eye area from the inside out helps prevent and minimize puffiness more effectively.

1. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule: Regular, quality rest is the foundation of healthy skin, especially around the delicate eye area.

2. Prioritize good sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep every night. Sleep is when your skin repairs itself. Lack of sleep causes blood vessels around the eyes to dilate, making puffiness and eye bags more noticeable.

3. Avoid staying up late: Late nights are the enemy of youthful skin. Poor sleep disrupts metabolism, slows circulation, and leads to water retention — all of which worsen eye bags and dark circles. Try to sleep by 11 PM to give your skin time to recover.

8

Diet Tips for Reducing Eye Bags: Boosting Collagen from Within

What you eat shows on your skin — and that includes your eye area. If you want to tackle eye bags, it’s important to slow down facial aging from the inside out.

1. Cut back on salt: A high-sodium diet leads to water retention, which shows up as puffiness around the eyes. Eat a lighter, low-sodium diet and avoid processed foods and salty seasonings when possible.

2. Avoid drinking too much water before bed: Late-night hydration can overload the kidneys and lead to fluid buildup under the eyes in the morning. Try limiting water intake 2–3 hours before bedtime.

3. Add collagen to your diet: Collagen is key to skin elasticity. Foods like fish skin and pork knuckles are rich in collagen, or you can take collagen supplements to help firm the skin under the eyes and reduce sagging.

4. Eat more iron-rich foods: Iron is vital for healthy blood circulation. If you're anemic or have poor circulation, your eyes may look dull and dark. Include red meat, animal liver, or spinach in your diet to replenish iron levels.

5. Get enough vitamin C: This powerful antioxidant helps your body produce collagen and also brightens the skin. Load up on fruits and vegetables like citrus, kiwi, and tomatoes for a natural glow and a healthier under-eye area.

Bonus: Natural Remedies to Brighten Tired Eyes

In addition to eye creams and massage, you can also try these traditional home remedies and drinks to refresh the eye area from within. While they won’t eliminate structural eye bags, they can boost circulation and brighten your overall complexion.

Red Date & Goji Berry Eye Brightening Tea

This nourishing herbal tea supports healthy blood flow and helps revitalize tired-looking eyes.

Ingredients:
• 5–6 pitted red dates
• 10–15 goji berries
• 2–3 slices of fresh ginger
• Water (enough to simmer)

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a pot with water.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Lower the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until the red dates are soft.
4. Let it cool slightly before drinking. Enjoy daily for best results.

Pig’s Blood & Spinach Iron-Boosting Soup

Packed with iron, this soup promotes better circulation — ideal for those whose dark circles are caused by blood deficiency or poor qi.

Ingredients:
• 100g fresh pig’s blood (blanched and cubed)
• 50g spinach
• 2 slices fresh ginger
• A pinch of salt
• Water (as needed)

Instructions:

1. Boil water with ginger slices.
2. Add the blanched pig’s blood and simmer for 5–7 minutes.
3. Toss in spinach and cook until wilted.
4. Season lightly with salt and serve warm.

Cooling Apple & Cucumber Eye Mask

This DIY mask uses natural ingredients to soothe and hydrate tired under-eyes — perfect for depuffing swollen eyes in the morning.

Ingredients:
• ¼ small cucumber
• ¼ apple
• A splash of water

Instructions:

1. Peel and chop the cucumber and apple.
2. Blend with a bit of water into a smooth paste.
3. Chill in the fridge for 10–15 minutes.
4. Apply gently under the eyes and leave on for 15 minutes.
5. Rinse off with cool water. Use 2–3 times a week to calm and hydrate skin.

These home remedies are best used as part of a holistic approach to skincare. While they help improve the appearance of the eye area, they may not address deep or structural eye bags — for that, aesthetic treatments may offer more noticeable results.

9

Tried Everything with No Results? It Might Be Time to Consider Eye Bag Removal Treatments

Hyaluronic Acid Injections

Best suited for mild eye bags accompanied by deep tear troughs, hyaluronic acid (HA) injections help fill in hollows under the eyes, smoothing the contour and visually reducing the appearance of eye bags. However, the effects are temporary and require regular maintenance.

Radiofrequency, Ultrasound, and Skin Tightening Treatments

These non-invasive options deliver focused energy to the deeper layers of skin around the eyes, stimulating collagen production to lift and firm the area. They can help with both eye bags and fine lines, though multiple sessions are typically needed and results vary.

Surgical Eye Bag Removal

Surgery is the most direct and effective way to remove all types of eye bags. There are two main surgical options:

• Transconjunctival (Internal) Eye Bag Surgery: Ideal for younger individuals with good skin elasticity and fat-related eye bags. The incision is made inside the lower eyelid, leaving no visible scarring. Fat is removed through the small internal incision to flatten the eye bag.
• Transcutaneous (External) Eye Bag Surgery: More suitable for older patients with sagging skin and more severe eye bags. The incision is made just beneath the lash line, and although a faint scar may remain, it fades over time. This approach not only removes fat but also tightens loose skin and muscle for a more rejuvenated look.
• Fat Repositioning Surgery for Eye Bags and Tear Troughs: For those struggling with both prominent eye bags and hollow tear troughs, this method relocates excess fat from the eye bag area to fill in the tear trough, smoothing out the entire under-eye area in one procedure.

Before committing to any medical aesthetic treatment, always consult a qualified, experienced professional. Understand the pros and cons, potential risks, and aftercare involved, and choose the treatment that best suits your needs and eye bag type. If you're not ready for invasive surgery, start with non-invasive treatments first!

10

Tried Every Home Remedy Without Success? Ditch the Knife and Needles — Perfect Medical’s R6 Miracle Eye Rescue Treatment Has You Covered

Life in Hong Kong can be stressful, with long work hours and constant pressure. Sticking to home remedies like eye massages, strict diets, and regular sleep often feels impossible for busy professionals. If you’re not keen on surgery or injectables but still want fast, effective, and safe results, it’s time to consider a non-invasive medical aesthetic option.

Thousands of happy clients have recommended Perfect Medical’s signature R6 Miracle Eye Rescue Treatment, a beginner-friendly solution for those curious about "eye bag guns." This non-invasive treatment uses advanced radiofrequency technology paired with red and blue light therapy to deeply and gently target various layers of skin around the eyes, delivering results such as:

• Stimulating collagen production to firm up loose skin
• Improving blood circulation and lymphatic drainage to reduce pigmentation and puffiness
• Tackling all three major eye concerns — eye bags, wrinkles, and dark circles — in one treatment

Compared to surgery or fillers, the R6 treatment is non-surgical, painless, and requires zero downtime — ideal for those who fear needles or scalpels. If you have mild to moderate eye bags and want a safe yet effective solution, the R6 Miracle Eye Rescue Treatment is a great alternative.

Click the link below to learn more about Perfect Medical’s R6 treatment, pricing, and to book your first free trial in just one minute!