Waking up to puffiness and dark circles under your eyes is never fun. Perhaps you were drinking the night before, ate a bag of chips before bed, or prioritized your latest Netflix binge over a good night’s sleep. We’re not judging. We’ve done it all before and, unsurprisingly, have had to pay for it the next morning. There are a number of reasons you may be experiencing tired looking eyes, and we’re letting you in on them below. Plus, we’re sharing the best eye creams for puffiness and dark circles so you can energize your eyes and look your best.
11 Causes of Under Eye Puffiness
It sucks waking up with puffy eyes in the morning. While puffiness can be due to underlying conditions like sinus issues or thyroid problems, in most cases swollen under eyes are your body’s natural response to lots of salt, alcohol, poor sleep, or aging. Here are common causes of under eye puffiness.
- Lack of sleep
- Aging (loss of skin firmness and fat redistribution)
- Allergies
- PMS (rise in hormones and water retention)
- Stress
- Eating too much salt
- Crying
- Drinking alcohol (fluid shifts and water retention)
- Lack of exercise and physical movement
- Genetics
- Medical conditions such as dermatomyositis, Graves’ disease or angioedema
11 Causes of Dark Circles Under Eyes
Dark circles under your eyes are often a sign of tiredness and lack of sleep, but they can also be due to a loss of collagen, overexposure to sunlight, dehydration, and more. Take a look at what may be causing your dark under eye circles.
- Collagen loss
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Genetics
- Poor sleep
- Dermatitis
- Too much sun exposure
- Diet high in salt
- Excessive alcohol and tobacco use
- Stress
- Iron deficiency anemia
5 Best Eye Creams for Puffiness
1. LANEIGE Bouncy and Firm Eye Sleeping Mask
This overnight eye treatment cream is powered by the Korean beauty “slow aging” skincare trend to de-puff and firm the skin around the eyes. It helps revitalize and firm the eye area while supporting the skin’s natural collagen to make the eyes appear more awake. Your under eye area will be visibly de-puffed after use, making you look and feel more rejuvenated.
2. Eight Saints All In Eye Cream
Consider this your new super-star eye cream. Made with stand out ingredients like antioxidants, peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycolic acid, this cream works to reduce fine lines, under eye bags, stress, and puffiness. You’ll notice visible results in under eye hydration, a smoother texture, and thanks to caffeine, a reduction in dark circles and puffiness.
3. Biossance Squalane and Marine Algae Eye Cream
A rich formula that blends powerful ingredients, this eye cream hydrates, reduces puffiness, and firms the skin for a youthful, refreshed look. Thanks to ingredients like pink marine algae and sugarcane-derived squalane, it instantly lifts and visibly improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time, and deeply hydrates to nourish the under eye area.
4. TULA Skincare Rose Glow + Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm
Caffeine, rosewater, and blueberry are the star ingredients in this brightening eye balm, not to mention peptides and collagen to deeply hydrate while reducing wrinkles and puffiness. Apply it directly to your eye area under makeup or at night to wake up to refreshed looking eyes.
5. RWT Eye Serum
Formulated with hydrating and nourishing ingredients, this eye serum offers essential moisture to the under eye area, promoting smoother, softer skin. Infused with 5% caffeine, it targets dark circles and puffiness, visibly reducing their appearance. It comes equipped with a massage rollerball that lifts and firms the skin around the eyes and improves circulation in the eye area.
5 Best Eye Creams for Dark Circles Under Eyes
1. RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
Retinol is one of the best ingredients for dark circles as it fades the look of dark spots and evens out your skin tone. This retinol-based eye cream visibly rejuvenates the delicate eye area, and helps with everything from wrinkles and fine lines to puffiness to dark circles and crow’s feet. It’s a super hydrating formula that leaves your eyes looking healthy and youthful.
2. Eight Saints Wonder-fill Plumping Eye Cream
This multi-talented eye cream is made with ingredients including niacinamide, protein peptides, and hyaluronic acid to restore your skin’s volume and perk up your eyes. The creamy texture is perfect for all skin types and absorbs immediately, leaving no greasy residue. It boosts collagen production and enhances the skin barrier matrix to keep moisture in for hydrated eyes.
3. Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel
Energize your eyes on tired mornings with this nutrient-packed eye gel. Antioxidant-rich yerba mate works to protect and nourish the skin around your eyes, while caffeine reduces swelling, and hyaluronic acid plumps and firms. You’ll notice brighter, more radiant eyes for a fresh look throughout the day!
4. CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Reduce the look of dark circles and puffiness with CeraVe’s eye repair cream. Formulated with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it moisturizes the eyes and helps restore the skin’s natural barrier. It’s non-greasy and fast absorbing, so it’s perfect to wear alone or under makeup.
5. YOYORY Retinol Eye Cream
This anti-aging eye cream is formulated with potent ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid to give your eyes a youthful, rejuvenated look. If you’re new to retinol, don’t worry- it’s a gentle time-released formula that reduces wrinkles without causing irritation. A blend of peptides nourishes your skin and provides a satin finish for a fresh, illuminated look.
If you’re tired of puffiness and dark circles, try these eye creams and see if there are any lifestyle factors you can adjust to brighten and rejuvenate your eyes!
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