How To Get Rid Of Tired And Puffy Looking Eyes

The best way to solve persistently tired eyes is to review your sleeping habits. Check your bed is comfortable, your bed covers are not too hot or too cold, and that your pillow is giving your neck and head the correct support.

Avoid drinking stimulants such as coffee, cocoa, tea or cola after 6 p.m. as they can keep you awake. Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day, but not within six hours of your bedtime. Eat your last meal of the day early so you have time to digest before sleep, and avoid eating cheese or protein-rich snacks before bedtime.

Have a warm, scented bath just before you go to sleep to relax body and mind; using four drops of lavender oil will help you to unwind. If you worry during the night, keep a pen and paper by your bed and make a list of any sources of stress that are troubling you. If problems of sleeplessness persist for more than two weeks, see a doctor, as this can be an indication of depression.

Eye Massage

One of the best treats you can give your own over-tired eyes is an eye massage, which will help to stimulate the lymphatic system to drain any stagnating fluids or toxins.

Apply gentle pressure with the pads of your ring finger around the eye bone, starting in the corner and moving around the elliptical bones that contain the eyes. By doing this you are stimulating a lot of nerve endings, and you will feel a remarkable release of energy. Make 10 laps of the eye, but only use the weaker third finger to maintain a gentle pressure.

Quick Pick-me-up

If you have tired eyes, rest on your elbows on a table and rest on your face in your hands so that they’re covering your eyes. Five minutes will help put the sparkle back.

Red Eyes

Avoid using eye-whiteners, which are available over the counter. These drops work by narrowing the tiny blood vessels that cover the surface of the eyes, giving the impression of whiter than white whites … however, when they wear off the blood vessels dilate again and can appear larger than they were before. A vicious cycle beckons. If your eyes are red it is because they are tired, allergic to something, have an infection or are responding to cold or drying winds. Seek medical advice if the problem persists.

Crow’s Feet

Character and experience are etched over time into our faces, and a certain amount of a laughter-line wrinkling around the eyes is evidence that you often smile. The key is to keep the delicate skin around the eye from becoming too dry, as not doing so can lead to the lines becoming more deeply etched. Thin skin with little oil becomes dehydrated easily and is more prone to wrinkling.

Drink enough to keep your urine pale yellow. Use good sun protection. Eat a good diet.
Use a light, water-based moisturizer every day.

Puffy Eyes

Surprisingly, one of the most common causes of puffy eyes – when the eyelids and surrounding skin swell – is a good night’s sleep. When we sleep, we don’t blink, and this can lead to the build-up of fluid. As we start blinking again – we blink 10,000 times a day on average – the swelling subsides.

Other causes are lack of sleep, sensitivity to skin products, crying, pre-menstrual fluid retention, allergies such as hay fever, and the use of heavy or oily make-up removers which prevent tissue fluids from evaporating naturally overnight. Puffy eyes may also be caused by a thyroid problem, so see your doctor if they persist.

Apply chilled eye gel – or chilled aloe Vera gel – 15 minutes before applying make-up. In extreme cases, wrap an ice-cube in a handkerchief and place under the eyes – but for no more than one minute.

Avoid salty foods, and don’t add salt to meals.
Choose matte rather than the iridescent eye shadow. If your eyes are puffy around the bags, use a slightly darker concealer.

Place a cold, wet flannel over closed eyes for two minutes, followed by a warm one, then a cold one again. This will help boost sluggish circulation.