How to Treat Puffy Eyes Caused by Makeup

Tea bags are a soothing way to calm puffy eyes.

Wearing old eye makeup or accidentally getting some in your eye from overapplication can irritate eyes. Eyes that are overexposed can become puffy, tired-looking and quite uncomfortable. Homemade treatments are inexpensive and effective. For mild to moderate irritation, use homemade remedies to soothe tired, puffy eyes in just 10 minutes. They are simple to add to your daily skincare regimen.

Things You'll Need

• Tea bags
• Cup
• Plate
• Potato
• Cucumber
• Food grater
• Cheesecloth
• Twist ties or string

Instructions

Tea Bag Eye Pack

1. Use herbal tea for tea bag eye packs. Chamomile or lavender teas are soothing, and orange tea is energizing. Avoid tea with heavy spices such as chai. Fill a cup with warm water. Immerse two tea bags into the water for a few moments. Once the tea bags are soft, remove the bags from the cup.

2. Place the tea bags on a small plate and pop them into the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. You want them to be cold but not frozen.

3. Remove the tea bags from the freezer. Find a cozy place to lay down. Place a tea bag on each closed eyelid and relax for 10 minutes. The herbs in the tea reduce puffiness. Remove the tea bags and discard.

Vegetable Eye Pack

1. Peel a cucumber or potato, whichever vegetable you prefer. Their natural astringent properties soothe skin and reduce puffiness. Grate enough of the vegetable to make two 1-inch piles.

2. Wet two 2-inch squares of cheesecloth with water, and then scoop each pile of vegetable onto each portion of cheesecloth. Gather up the edges of the cloth pieces and close, tying off the bundles with twist ties or pieces of string.

3. Place the vegetable packs in the freezer for 10 minutes. Remove the packs from the freezer, lay down and place on each closed eyelid. Leave on for 10 or 15 minutes. Remove and discard the packs.

Tips & Warnings

• Moisturize eyes with eye creme twice a day or after eye pack application. Use two pillows when you sleep; this keeps your head propped up to help reduce eye puffiness.

• If you experience pain, redness or your condition worsens, see your physician or ophthalmologist right away. Old makeup can irritate the eye and can contain bacteria. Eyeliner should be thrown out after 6 months of use, mascara after 3 and eye shadow after 1 year. If you get an eye infection, such as pink eye or conjunctivitis, throw out all of your eye makeup and buy a fresh set.

References

• Health Recipes: Homemade Beauty Recipes
• Beauty Tips: When to Throw out Old Makeup

Resources

• Eye Doctor Guide: Treating Puffy Eyelids Syndrome