Home Remedy to Reduce Puffiness Around the Eyes

Everyone at some point has dealt with the aesthetically displeasing appearance of puffiness around their eyes, and has looked for a convenient way to treat this unsightly reality. Inconsistent sleep patterns, unhealthy diets, drugs, long days in front of a computer, allergies and stress are all culprits in creating swollen, puffy eyes. Natural home treatments can offer quick relief and restore youthfulness to the eyes.

Significance

Your overall health is expressed to others through your eyes. Be consistent in getting at least seven hours of quality sleep every night. The body repairs itself by processing many factors within REM sleep, as observed by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke. When you do not achieve this, your eyes quickly show the signs. Keep your bedroom dark and free of noise, light or distractions. Do not eat heavy meals within four hours of bedtime to avoid water retention as you sleep and puffy eyes in the morning.

Prevention/Solution

Aerobic and anaerobic activity increase circulation throughout the body, moving oxygen quickly from head to toe to create a toned and healthy complexion. Exercise for 25 minutes at a cardiovascular level that raises your heart rate. This increase in circulation will bring blood throughout your face to even out pigmentation and reduce puffiness under your eyes. Up your water intake as well throughout the day; this will prevent water retention due to dehydration, according to Dr. Thomas Stearns Lee.

At-Home Help

Purchase an organic cucumber from your local market. The flesh of cucumbers is primarily composed of water but also contains a very helpful amount of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid. These nutrients help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling, puffiness and dark circles. Cut up thin slices of cucumber and place them on each eye, making sure they adequately cover the entire eye area. Leave them there for 15 to 20 minutes, as suggested by Rebecca Wood in "The Whole Foods Encyclopedia."

Apply cooled caffeinated green tea bags over each eye and relax for 15 to 20 minutes. The caffeine will help draw excess water from the tender eye area in a safe and effective manner. The high antioxidant value of the tea,as observed in a study published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" in January 1995, will also provide aid in fighting free radical damage that effects the thin skin beneath the eyes making it look puffy, saggy and aged.

Almond oil is a very emollient oil rich in antioxidant properties that are very beneficial in diminishing inflammation and dark circles under the eyes. The high ORAC value (antioxidant value) of almond oil is outlined in the USDA National Nutrient Database.

Other Considerations

Eliminate highly processed foods and beverages from your diet. White breads, soda, pasta, sugar, salt and packaged goods will wreak havoc on the quality of your appearance, especially around the eyes. Healthy whole foods will provide antioxidant protection, water and nourishment to the body to reduce the chances of puffiness appearing around the eyes. "Good nutrition is a fundamental building block of healthy looking skin," says Leslie Baumann, M.D., a Miami Beach dermatologist.

Time Frame

At-home remedies can bring relief within as little as a few minutes. Proper hydration and good nutrition over time will prevent the likelihood of experiencing puffy eyes at all. Taking care of your overall health will reflect itself through your eyes and skin, so long-term adjustments will yield long-term results.