You can spot them a mile away when you approach the bathroom mirror. Soon you’ll be reaching for your jade roll and regretting the salty meal the night before. It’s a problem as common as high sodium levels in soy sauce, but luckily, the best eye creams for puffy eyes can quell even the most puffy scenarios.
And while everyone deals with puffy eyes at some point, the reasons behind them are huge. Good old genetics aside from causes include lack of sleep, allergies, fluid retention, and eye strain (heck, blue light), but the most common puffy eye perpetrator, according to Joomee sangesthetician and breathless guru to the stars, is on a diet.
We’re not exactly in the business of telling people that never to indulge in a margarita or two, and no matter how hard you prepare for a good night’s sleep, your sound machine won’t always be up to the task. The point is, no matter how aware we are of puffy eye triggers, things are going to get a little puffy from time to time. You just have to be prepared.
And who better to arm you with a perfect de-puffing product than top estheticians? To find the best in the game, we tapped Song, the founder of the transformative KAIKA massageand celebrity facialist Candace Marino (aka LA Facialist).
Ahead, we break down the best creams for puffy eyes that suit a variety of scenarios. So whether you’re looking for the best drugstore find, a nighttime puff or a cream that works best for mature skin, we’ve got you covered.
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What ingredients help reduce puffiness under the eyes?
Before we get to the best creams for puffy eyes, it’s helpful to know what makes them work so well. Knowledge is power, especially when you’re shopping the overwhelming aisles of Ulta or Sephora.
Vitamin K
Although not quite as famous as vitamins A, C, or D, Marino and Song both doubled down on this fat-soluble vitamin (known in the skincare world as phytonadione). “Vitamin K is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that helps stimulate blood flow and is excellent at moving stagnant fluid that can cause puffiness and dark circles,” adds Marino.
Arnica
Song added the bruise-healing arnica to her vitamin K recommendation. “They are both known to treat blood clots and bruising by helping blood flow through the capillaries, and this movement helps with under-eye puffiness,” explains Song. “I also use them to treat dark circles.”
Caffeine
Looking for something to please you? Coffee can get the work done locally too.
Manual facial massage
It is not an ingredient in itself, but nothing gets the blood flowing quite like a massage. That said, vigorous movements around your eyes don’t seem like something you should wing. Fortunately, Song offers a useful visual guide.
“The stiffer your tissue becomes, the less drainage occurs, so massage is the most accessible and straightforward treatment you can do at home to reduce swelling,” says Song. “You can use your hands or your favorite tools, as long as you’re always gentle. Taking a hot shower or jumping in a sauna to stimulate the body’s metabolism will also help reduce swelling.”
The best eye creams for puffy eyes
Marino offers a helpful tip to go along with your cream: “In the morning, give yourself an under-eye massage to stimulate the lymph. Tap around the eye area and massage outward toward the ears and down the neck. Then apply your eye cream.”
