Under eye bags are often a dreaded part of waking up in the morning. They can take your face from fresh to flat in an instant and make you appear tired, or even sick! While makeup, such as concealer can help to hide the issue, it’s not the ideal solution. Treatment and prevention are the right keys to banishing your under eye bags. So if that first look in the mirror each morning has you stressing, listen up, because here are the best ways to beat your under eye bags.
The Cause of Under Eye Bags
Puffy, swollen and often discoloured, under eye bags are caused by fluid or fat accumulating below the eyes. While fat accumulation is a natural part of ageing, fluid build up can be a response triggered by many causes. Lack of sleep is a common cause for puffy eyes, while dehydration can create sagging in the delicate under-eye area. Seasonal allergies also cause fluid accumulation in the under-eye area, as does a diet high in sodium. By identifying the cause of your under eye bags, you may be able to prevent them better and aid in their treatment.
How to Get Rid of Bags Under Your Eyes
Drinking enough water and getting enough sleep can help you get rid of under eye bags but sometimes you need a little more power. That’s where creams, serums, rollers, and the like come in. The skin under your eyes is thin and fragile, so any treatment needs to be gentle but effective. The aim is to delicately plump sagging, reduce puffiness and smooth, tighten, hydrate and brighten skin.
1. Creams
Creams are a favourite treatment type for under eye bags as they are efficient and easy to integrate into your daily beauty routine. The only issue is making sure you choose the right cream. Look out for creams that contain caffeine and hyaluronic acid, as these tend to be the most effective. Caffeine helps to tighten skin, reduce puffiness and drain excess fluid from the area, while hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates sagging skin. Remember to use cream consistently for optimum results.
2. Serums
Like creams, serums can be easy to use and highly effective, depending on the formula. Some serums use botanical antioxidants to treat under eye bags. The antioxidants help to prevent collagen damage, maintain the skin’s elasticity and brighten skin pigmentation. Others contain hyaluronic acid or retinol. Retinol, while highly useful for fighting wrinkles and producing collagen, can be harsh on the sensitive eye area, so always test it first. No matter which serum you pick, try to choose one in a rollerball tube for an easy application that also helps disperse fluid build-up.
3. Under-Eye Masks
Under-eye masks or patches directly target your bags with hydrating ingredients, antioxidants and retinol. This pampering treatment reduces inflammation and stimulates collagen growth for refreshed and youthful-looking eyes. It’s also an excellent way to relax after a long day! Follow the instructions on the pack but as a general rule aim for 20 minutes with patches on. After removing you should see immediate results.
4. Tea Bags
The classic home remedy of tea bags has been used to treat under-eye bags for years. The caffeine provided by the tea constricts the blood vessels around the eye, reducing puffiness, while the tannins help to decrease swelling and discolouration. Good for removing dark shadows, this treatment is best used when you’re out of product and need a quick fix. Just place two used tea bags in the refrigerator for half an hour before applying to closed eyes for 10 minutes.
5. Facial Toning Devices
We live in an age where technology and electronics are used for everything, including getting rid of your under eye bags! Facial toning devices are the new trend in fighting the signs of ageing. They work by sending out microcurrents that sculpt and contour the muscles on your face. By gently running the tool across your face in a stroking motion, you’ll experience a thickening in the skin under your eyes to better hold in the bulging fat below. Although expensive, this tool is great as a general anti-ageing device with immediate and long-lasting results when consistently used.
6. Fillers
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution for under eye bags caused by ageing, fillers can sometimes be a good option. This long-lasting treatment can keep eyes bag free for up to 12 months. The injections work to improve the appearance of the under-eye area by smoothing the contours of the eye socket to make it appear more youthful. Although a highly efficient and long-lasting treatment, fillers can be quite expensive and occasionally have adverse side effects, so do your research first!
The Best Products for Under Eye Bags
The delicate area under your eyes is not an ideal place to be testing products to see if they work. Skip the hassle by choosing one of these highly rated miracle workers. As gentle as they are powerful, these products will safely transform your eyes from baggy, to bright and beautiful.
Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contouring Cream
This intensive eye cream will have you seeing noticeable results within days. The super-rich formula works to plump and hydrate sagging under eye bags while revitalising cells to create firmness.
Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Eye Repair
Philosophy’s real-life “miracle worker” has been proven to dramatically improve the look of under eye bags, wrinkles, and dark circles. The potent formula uses an exclusive retinoid which offers the same noticeable results of retinol without any of the pesky irritation.
Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage
The cooling rollerball applicator of Clinique’s de-puffing eye serum gently massages away under-eye bags as its formula hydrates and refreshes tired eyes. Made with caffeine, potent antioxidants and soothing botanicals, this product will brighten and lift until your bags disappear.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks
Containing plankton extract and hyaluronic acid, these eye masks are intensely hydrating and age-defying. One 20-minute use, once a week, will see wrinkles reduced, and the skin around your eyes lifted and tightened. They’re also great to take travelling if you’re prone to puffy eyes from long flights.
NuFace Mini Facial Toning Device
Just like how Clarisonic has revolutionised cleansing with technology, so too has NuFace revolutionised anti-ageing. If you can afford the device, plus the ELE attachment, which targets the eye and lip areas, it’ll be worth your money. After all, it’s not called the five-minute facelift for nothing.
