How to Reduce Eye and Face Puffiness in the Morning

Your face and eyes may be puffy in the morning.

Every woman wants to appear her most attractive at all times, but you may appear and feel less than attractive when gazing into the mirror first thing in the morning. Sleepless nights, stress, allergies and cosmetics can cause your face and eyes to appear puffy. Heredity does play a factor in your looks. However, you can work with what you've been given physically and reverse much of that puffiness. Follow a few steps with inexpensive home remedies for treatment of facial and eye puffiness for best aesthetic results.

Things You'll Need

• Eye makeup remover
• Soft towel or tissues
• Tea bags
• Cucumbers
• Pillows
• Ice water

Instructions

1. 

   Remove your makeup before bed each night.

   Remove all makeup used on your face and eyes before retiring for bed at night. Gently wipe it off with a soft cloth or tissue. Use makeup remover to remove all traces of mascara and other eye makeup used during the day. Choose an eye makeup remover that is oil-free if you are a contact lens wearer.

2. 

   Wash and rinse off cleansing products with cool water.

   Wash your face and eye area with a cleanser made especially for eyes and sensitive skin. You may be irritating your skin (especially the delicate area around the eyes) by using products with fragrances, colors, preservatives or additives. Study the label and read all ingredient lists carefully. Rinse off all products used on your face with cool water. Pat it dry.

3. 

   Get enough sleep and use two pillows to raise your head.

   Sleep at least seven to nine hours a night to appear rested in the morning. Wind down early and enjoy calming activities in the evening before bedtime. Avoid beverages (coffee, tea, cola) and foods (chocolate) containing caffeine late in the day.

4. Rest on an elevated surface to avoid fluid retention. Elevate your head with two pillows or a wedge-shaped pillow. Raise the head of the mattress or bed frame by several inches.

5. 

   Teabags contain tannic acid that relieves redness and calms skin.

   Apply teabags to the eyes first thing in the morning. Moisten two teabags in ice water or wet them thoroughly and chill them in the refrigerator. Apply them over closed eyelids for 10 to 15 minutes to smooth skin and release tea's natural tannic acid and its skin-calming properties.

6. 

   Use cucumbers and a facial mask for a spa effect.

   Calm red skin and deflate puffiness with cucumbers. Keep fresh cucumbers refrigerated until use. Cut a cucumber into round slices and place them over your closed eyelids for 10 to 15 minutes. Relax while the cucumbers bring cooling relief.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid excess alcohol, drugs or partying to maintain your looks and health, not just in the morning but for your entire life.

• Chronic eye and face puffiness may be a sign of a more serious medical condition. Always consult your doctor or other medical professional to rule out excess salt intake and kidney, heart or other medical problems.

References

• Mayo Clinic; Health; Bags Under Eyes
• Cosmopolitan; How to; Puffy Face
• Eyecare 123: Puffiness Under Eyes