Treating Puffy Eyes
- Emmaline Tsui
- Nov 10
- 3 min read
If there’s one thing that can make you look more tired than you feel, it’s puffy eyes. Whether it’s from lack of sleep, too much salt, allergies, hormones, stress or simply fluid retention, that morning swelling around the eyes can be stubborn - plus let's not forget that people love to tell you how tired you look too!
The good news is that puffy eyes can be treated effectively if you know why they happen and how to get rid of them.
Let’s start with the why...
Puffiness around the eyes often comes from a build-up of fluid in the delicate lymphatic network that sits just under the skin. This can be triggered by many things: sleeping flat, a late night, hormonal fluctuations, crying, salty food, travel, or simply genetics. The skin around the eyes is thinner and more sensitive than anywhere else on the face, which means even a small amount of fluid can make a big visual difference.
Remember To Be gentle... Very gentle.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when treating puffy eyes is pressing too hard. The lymphatic system sits very close to the surface of the skin. When you press down too firmly, you bypass the lymphatic system and hit the muscle underneath, which does nothing for drainage and can even make puffiness worse.
A light touch always works best. Think soft push-press motions and gentle sweeping strokes towards the temples. Imagine you are gently coaxing the fluid out, not forcing it.
Tools and techniques that actually help
A cold tool is a puffy eye’s best friend. I love using my ice roller in the mornings. The cool temperature helps constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling, while the rolling action encourages lymphatic drainage. Keep it moving gently and avoid pressing hard. Don't leave it on an area for too long either otherwise you might risk a cold burn.
Gua sha tools can also work well around the eye area if used correctly. Always use light strokes, plenty of slip (a serum or eye cream), and work from the inner corner towards the outer edges, encouraging drainage without dragging the skin.
Facial massage and lymphatic drainage can make a visible difference. Even a few minutes each morning can reduce fluid retention, brighten the under-eye area and make your skincare work harder.
Using skincare to support your eye area
When it comes to treating puffiness, skincare should hydrate, soothe and firm without irritating this delicate area. Some of my favourites are:
Forlle’d P-Effect Sheet Masks for Eyes to give an instant boost of hydration and calm inflammation. These are brilliant before a big event or on a tired morning.
Calecim Eye Contour Lifting Cream, which helps to firm and lift the skin over time while calming puffiness.
Forlle’d Platinum Eye Cream for deep hydration and barrier support.
Nimue Anti-Ageing Eye Cream to help smooth and support more mature skin. Click here to order.
Some simple daily habits make a difference...
Sleep slightly elevated to encourage fluid to drain properly overnight.
Stay hydrated throughout the day.
Reduce salt intake in the evening.
Always remove makeup gently.
Keep your skincare and tools cool to help calm inflammation.
Puffy eyes aren’t always avoidable I know, but they are absolutely treatable if we can use the tips I've mentioned above daily. A little consistency goes a long way here though. Gentle massage, the right skincare, and a few lifestyle tweaks can help you wake up looking bright and refreshed, even if you don't feel like it!
If you’re not sure where to start or which product is best for your skin, you can book a skin check-in and I’ll create a personalised plan for you. Click the link here for the form or book an online consultation with me here.
Thank you so much for reading,
Emmaline
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