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10 Best Home Remedies for Getting Rid of Puffy Eyes
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Don’t you hate it when you wake up in the morning and you find you have puffy, swollen eyes and/or dark circles under your eyes? Showing up at work with eyes like that can give people the wrong impression about your lifestyle or habits. People will start saying that you are staying out late, drinking or partying the night away, or that you stay home smoking pot all night with your new boyfriend/girlfriend. Rumors like that can hurt your career! Even if those rumors don’t reach the boss, it can be uncomfortable knowing that what people are saying behind your back.
There are plenty of reasons for puffy eyes and dark circles, some of which are late nights and smoking, but they are also caused by allergies, poor diet, an overly salty diet, insomnia, chronic sinusitis, genetics, and even working too hard, spending long hours staring at a computer screen. (But those aren’t nearly as much fun to talk about!)
Unfortunately, sometimes plain old genetics are to blame for dark circles. While there is nothing you can do about genetics, you can take some steps to help eliminate those red, swollen eyes and lessen dark circles. Keep reading for the 10 best remedies you can take to reduce those puffy eyes and stop those workplace rumors!
1. Chilled Spoons
If you tend to get those dark circles or puffy eyes, you can be prepared in advance. Place two metal spoons in the fridge overnight and then place them on your eyes in the morning. Really cold spoons will cause the blood vessels in the thin skin under your eyes to constrict, reducing swelling, that puffy look, and dark circles.
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2. Cucumbers
This is perhaps the oldest remedy around. Slice a cucumber and place the slices in a bag in the freezer. After an hour, take them out and place the frozen cucumber slices over your eyes for about 10 minutes.
Cucumbers are full of antioxidants that ease irritation and the cooling effects of the frozen slices will reduce swelling.
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3. Raw Potato Slices
If you don’t have cucumbers available (or if you don’t have time to freeze them), try the potato method. Potatoes have astringent compounds that will remove excess water from under the eyes.
If you often get swollen eyes due to allergies, this method should work well for you. Wash and peel a potato and place thin slices over your eyes. Allow them to work their magic for about 10 minutes, and then rinse your eyes gently with cool water.
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4. Tea Bags
Remove dark circles and puffy eyes and have a great cup of tea at the same time. Green tea will work best in this instance, but black tea will also work. Green tea has more antioxidants which are the active ingredient here, but chamomile tea will also work well as it has calming, soothing compounds.
Soak two teabags in hot water for about 3 minutes, and then allow the tea bags to cool to room temperature. You can drink the tea while you are waiting! Now lie down and place the tea bags over your eyes and leave them there for 10 to 15 minutes. Find out other uses of tea bags.
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5. Whole Milk
This is a remedy not many people seem to know about but it’s super effective! The fat in whole milk has a soothing effect on the skin and the amino acids whole milk contains will reduce the swelling.
Saturate a clean wash cloth in cold milk, squeeze out some of the excess, and place the cloth over your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. This will only work with whole milk or half and half, not skim milk, low fat milk, non-fat milk, or nut milks, sorry.
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6. Salt Water
Salt water will get rid of excess water from around the eye area via osmosis. Mix half a teaspoon of salt with 4 cups of warm water. Be sure the salt has completely dissolved.
Soak cotton balls or a wash cloth in the salt water and then place the wet items over your eyes for about 5 minutes. Dunk the cloth again and repeat.
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7. Aloe Vera
You probably have an aloe vera plant in your kitchen or garden. Aloe vera is good for a whole lot more than just burns! Cut off a leaf and slice it open lengthwise.
Squeeze out the clear gel and apply it directly under the eyes, but be careful not to get any in your eye! Aloe vera is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, which will help reduce swelling and lighten up those dark circles.
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8. Massage
Sometimes, puffy eyes are due to a buildup of lymph fluid and simply massaging the area gently can remove the fluid and reduce puffiness.
Place your fingers over your eyes and using gentle, circular motions, give your eyes, and the skin under your eyes, a gentle massage. Do this for about 2 minutes and hopefully you will see some improvement.
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9. Witch Hazel and Egg Whites
If you have a little more time in the morning, this method works very well. Egg whites might be a bit of a pain, but they are well-known for preventing wrinkles as well as for temporarily tightening the skin. Witch hazel is also a natural astringent that tightens the skin, so this combination is a real one-two punch!
SEE ALSO: An All Natural Solution to Grow Thicker Longer Hair, Eyelashes, and Eyebrows
Take 2 egg whites and place them in a glass or ceramic bowl. Whip them so you get a stiff, merengue type of consistency. Now add about 4 drops of witch hazel and mix well. Apply this mixture around your eyes using a make-up brush or soft cloth and allow to dry (this will take about 10 to 15 minutes.) Rinse with cool water.
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10. Ice
This is really cold but a quick and easy way to tighten up blood vessels (which will lessen those dark circles) and reduce swelling. Wrap an ice cube or an ice pack in a wash cloth and apply directly to the eyes. Don’t press too hard! Hold it there for about 5 minutes.
Although it can sometimes be pretty difficult to get rid of dark circles, some of these remedies can help, especially when used on a regular basis. If you prepare a bit in advance (put spoons or cucumber slices in the freezer the night before) it really doesn’t take much time. In fact, some women set their alarms 15 minutes ahead of time, get their remedy from the freezer, then go back to bed, hit the snooze button, and get a few extra Z’s while lessening those swollen eyes and dark circles at the same time. Sounds like a pretty good plan!
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