How to Reduce Eye Bags

What causes eye bags?

Puffiness or bags under the eyes can be a result of genetics, ageing, and certain medical conditions. Fluid retention under the eye area is also a main cause of mild or temporary puffiness.

Fluid retention

Fluid buildup around the eye area can make the skin appear puffy. This fluid buildup can also make existing under eye bags look more pronounced, and can be impacted by a number of factors:

• Diet: Consuming too much salt can lead to water retention throughout the body, including the delicate under-eye area.
• Allergies: Allergic reactions can contribute to puffiness under the eyes.
• Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly during menstruation or pregnancy, can influence fluid balance and cause under-eye bags.
• Crying: Tears can irritate the skin and cause temporary swelling around the eyes.
• Sleep position: Sleeping flat can allow fluid to pool under the eyes.

Ageing

As we age, the skin loses elasticity and becomes thinner, making the underlying fat and fluid more visible and causing excess skin to sag underneath the eyes. The muscles supporting the eyelids also weaken with age, allowing excess fat to protrude forward, creating the appearance of bags.

Genetics

Genetic predisposition plays a significant role in how your skin ages. If your parents or other family members have under-eye bags, you're more likely to develop them as well.

Medical conditions

Some medical conditions can contribute to fluid retention, swelling, discolouration and puffiness. In these instances, it’s important to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Lifestyle factors

In addition to skin ageing and genes, certain lifestyle factors can contribute to skin sagging and under eye bags. These include:

• Lack of sleep: Not getting enough sleep can cause fatigue leading to fluid pooling under the eyes, making them appear puffy.
• Stress: Stress can exacerbate fluid retention and worsen under-eye bags.
• Smoking: Smoking damages the skin and can contribute to premature aging, making under-eye bags more prominent.
• Alcohol consumption: Alcohol can dehydrate the body and irritate the skin, potentially worsening under-eye puffiness.
• Allergies: Allergic reactions, like reactions to pollen, can contribute to puffy eyelids and redness. Rubbing your eye area can also irritate the skin and causes unnecessary tugging on the delicate under eye skin, exacerbating lost skin elasticity.

Eye bags vs. dark circles

Under eye bags and dark circles can often occur at the same time, especially if they're due to sleep deprivation or loss of skin elasticity. It's important, however, to distinguish between the two, as dark under eye circles are often a hyperpigmentation issue rather than caused by fluid retention and sagging skin. Puffiness and excess fat under the eye area can create shadows that appear to be dark circles, but they aren't due to discolouration.

Is it possible to get rid of eye bags?

While mild, temporary puffiness can be relieved, it’s impossible to get rid of eye bags forever, especially if they’re caused by genetics or skin ageing. But, there are steps you can take to minimise their appearance.

How to reduce eye bags

Lifestyle changes and skincare habits can have a big impact on mild puffiness and under-eye bags. Some cosmetic procedures may help with the causes of more pronounced eye bags, but should be discussed with a professional.

Lifestyle changes

For mild puffiness or to reduce the appearance of eye bags, small lifestyle changes can have a noticeable impact. Here's a few tips we recommend that may improve the appearance of under eye bags.

1. Get adequate sleep: Adequate sleep supports your skin’s natural renewal process, which in turn supports the skin’s radiance and overall condition. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
2. Reduced sodium: Salty foods increase water retention, which plays a role in the formation of eye bags. Try limit salty foods to minimise water retention.
3. Elevate your head when sleeping: If you notice puffiness or your eye bags are more pronounced in the morning, prop your head up with an extra pillow while sleeping. This will minimise pooling under your eyes.
4. Cold compress: If you notice puffiness, applying a cold compress or child teabags can help calm the skin and reduce swelling. You can do this as needed or add it into your skincare routine before applying products.
5. Manage allergies: If you have allergies, especially allergies to pollen, address these with medications or other methods that alleviate your symptoms. Managing allergies will also prevent you from rubbing your eyes, which can also contribute to under eye bags.

Skincare routine to reduce eye bags

Your anti-ageing skincare routine can play a role in reducing puffiness and skin sagging. In addition to a tailored skincare routine, small considerations can keep the skin healthy-looking and reduce eye bags:

1. Use a gentle cleanser when washing your face, avoiding harsh ingredients.
2. Make sure to always wash off any makeup at night, using a micellar water or makeup removal cleanser.
3. Follow with a rich night cream to restore hydration.
4. Add an eye serum or cream that provides extra nourishment to delicate under-eye skin. Our recommendation is A.G.E. Advanced Eye for Dark Circles.
5. Consider a retinol cream or serum to speed up skin cell renewal to reduce loss of skin elasticity.
6. Avoid skincare or products that could irritate the delicate under eye area, like harsh scrubs or cleansers.
7. In the morning, apply a skin-brightening eye serum, formulated with caffeine or vitamin C to refresh the skin.

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Skincare ingredients for eye bags

There are a number of skincare ingredients that can help minimise eye bags, either by restoring hydration or by supporting more youthful-looking skin. These include:

• Caffeine: Found in eye serums and creams, caffeine can help reduce puffiness and brighten the skin, making it an ideal ingredient for your morning routine.
• Hyaluronic acid: This humectant draws moisture into the skin, plumping it up and temporarily reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and eye bags.
• Retinol (vitamin A): Helps promote collagen production and skin cell renewal to maintain skin elasticity, potentially reducing the appearance of bags over time.
• Peptides: By promoting collagen production, peptide serums can help firm and tighten the skin, minimising the appearance of sagging that contributes to eye bags.
• Green tea extract: Green tea is rich in antioxidants and can comfort the skin to reduce puffiness and irritation.
• Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant that brightens the skin and can help improve the appearance of dark circles and eye bags.

Cosmetic treatments

There are some cosmetic procedures and treatments designed to address skin concerns like eye bags. Treatments like chemical peels and some laser treatments can help to address the causes of under eye bags, supporting a smoother, more radiant complexion. For cosmetic procedures, consult with a professional to determine their suitability.

Consult with a dermatologist

Consult with a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and to discuss the best treatment approach based on your individual needs and the cause of your eye bags. They can assess your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate course of action.

Considerations when addressing under eye bags

While eye bags are common and an expected part of skin ageing, in some cases they may be caused by an underlying medication condition. If you’re concerned about persistent eye bags, speak to a dermatologist or healthcare professional to rule out any other concerns.

It’s also important to be patient and realistic about your expectations. Under eye bags can’t be removed completely, and in some instances are inevitable due to genetics. Consistency in your skincare routine and changes to your lifestyle will show the best results.