How to Reduce Puffy Eyes: Instantly Stop Looking Tired

I've tried serums like Plexaderm and Potentlift. BUT, this instant eye puffiness reducer works best! And helps hide criss-cross lines under the eyes too.

by: Linda Robison

Learn how to reduce puffy eyes with a gentle, instant lift serum. Look better, less tired, and rejuvenated in minutes without surgery. 

This gentle under-eye serum helps tighten skin, reduce the look of mild swelling without irritation, dryness, or white reside. And, one application lasts all day. Keep reading below ...

Woman applying under-eye serum to her eye bags. She is wondering if this serum is better than Plexaderm.How to Reduce Puffy Eyes

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I’ve dealt with “periorbital puffiness” since high school! Puffy eyes made me want to hide behind sunglasses.

Every morning, I’d wake up early to fight the swelling with ice packs and cold cucumbers. I needed something gentle for my mature skin—something quick and irritation-free.

After 20 years of searching, I finally found an anti-fatigue eye serum that works. In five minutes, it lifts and smooths the entire area, like a gentle girdle for my eyes. Now, even when I’m tired, I look refreshed.

If you’re dealing with:

  • Puffy, swollen eyes
  • Under-eye bags
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Crepey skin

I’ve tried countless serums—most were too thick, drying, or irritating. But before I share my solution, let’s look at what causes puffy eyes and a few simple fixes.

What causes puffy eyes

Understanding the reasons behind under-eye puffiness can help you find more effective ways to reduce and prevent it.

Here are some of the most common causes:

1. Aging

  • As we age, the skin around our eyes thins and loses elasticity, while collagen production decreases. At the same time, the eye muscles weaken, especially the orbital septum. This weakening allows the fat pads beneath the eyes to shift forward, leading to sagging and a puffy, swollen appearance due to fluid and fat buildup. 
  • Note: This is why I highly recommend doing under eye exercises to keep those eye muscles strong.

2. Sleep Deprivation

  • Not getting enough sleep can lead to fluid retention around the eyes, causing puffiness. Sleep deprivation may also weaken the muscles around the eyes, making the skin more prone to sagging and swelling.

3. Allergies

  • Allergic reactions to pollen, dust, or certain foods can trigger inflammation and fluid buildup under the eyes. Histamines released during an allergic reaction cause itching, which may lead to rubbing or irritation, worsening puffiness.

4. High-Salt Diet

  • Consuming too much sodium can cause your body to retain water, leading to swelling, including around the delicate eye area. Reducing salt intake can help minimize fluid retention that contributes to under-eye puffiness.

5. Genetics

  • For some people, puffy eyes are simply hereditary. Genetic factors can influence how fat is stored around the eyes or how prone the skin is to swelling, making some individuals more likely to experience puffiness.

6. Hormonal Changes

  • Fluctuations in hormone levels, such as those that occur during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, can lead to water retention. This can result in temporary puffiness around the eyes.

7. Dehydration

  • When the body is dehydrated, it tries to retain as much water as possible, which can cause swelling in different areas, including under the eyes. Ensuring adequate hydration throughout the day can help reduce puffiness.

8. Lifestyle Factors

  • Smoking, alcohol consumption, and prolonged exposure to screens or environmental irritants can all contribute to eye puffiness. These factors may lead to inflammation, dehydration, or fatigue, all of which can worsen swelling around the eyes.

Additional factors include:

  • Crying
  • Sleeping face-down
  • Eye strain
  • Poor circulation

Fixes for mild swelling 

For a quick fix, some of these simple DIY remedies might help. They never did much for me, but everyone is different so it's worth a try, if you have time.

Here are a few simple DIY tricks to try:

  • Cold Compresses: Apply cool tea bags, cucumber slices, or a chilled spoon under your eyes for a few minutes.
  • Lymphatic Massage: Gently massaging the area can stimulate circulation and ease mild swelling.
  • Stay Hydrated: Drinking water and cutting back on salty foods.

While these tips are helpful, the effects can be temporary and may not fully address stubborn puffiness—especially on aging, delicate skin.

That’s where the EES serum shines. It offers an all-day solution to quickly smooth and lift, helping you look refreshed without irritation.

The serum solution for under eye swelling:

Good News!

Refusing to give up, I kept searching for a serum that really worked. I spent a ton of money and tried almost every product on the market! 🤔

And I'm happy to say I finally found a solution to reduce the look of swelling and crepiness for the entire orbital region.

And this serum is super gentle.

Full Disclosure:

I am a distributor for the EES serum. I've been testing and trying puffy eye serums for over 20 years.

In 2012, I bought this product on-line and fell in love. So, I contacted the owner and asked how I could offer this product to my website visitors. 

He was kind enough to work with me and the rest is history!

I still test other eye serums and share my results on this site. But EES, is still by far the best for dry, delicate or mature under eye skin.

How to reduce puffy eyes - Solution

I found a serum called EES that helps to "tuck" and gently tighten the delicate skin around the eyes and reduce temporary puffiness. And this serum works without irritation.

Before and after picture less eye bags and wrinkles after using Easy Eye Solution Serum.One swipe of the serum, I look less tired and puffy. The eye bags and pesky criss-cross hatching lines are gone too.

Note: This picture has not been altered. The serum tends to "blur" the look of wrinkles and smooth out the area.

I simply smooth a pea size drop under the eyes and let it soak in for about 5 minutes. That's it. And my friends love it too!

Watch this video of my friend reduce the appearance of her very deep bags. Her results are amazing!



Note: Take advantage of our Super Sale with Free Shipping and $20 off the EES Instant Serum!

How it works to de-puff and revitalize your look

This lightweight, clear serum helps firm and lift the area. The result is a difference between looking tired and looking refreshed.

Easy Eye Solution serum helps diminish puffiness.

Step 1: Simply swipe a pea size serum on clean skin across the whole puffy area.

Step 2: Let it dry for a few minutes.

AND, the best part, unlike other products, you can easily apply this over your favorite moisturizer. You just need to let the moisturizer absorb for a few minutes before applying it.

See more tips below for the best results.

Click here to learn more about the EES Serum.

Before and After Pictures: puffy bags are gone 

Here is another before and after picture.

In the photo on your left, you can see the puffiness and the dark shadows it causes. In the photo on your right, the area is smoother and brighter.

quick remedy to get rid of under eye bagsWithin 5 minutes of swiping a thin layer of EES serum my lids, I look less puffy and sleepy. It's also a great treatment for crepiness.

Other treatment I've tried for swollen lids

Over the last 20+ years, I can honestly say I've tried every solution for periorbital puffiness, including:

  • getting enough sleep
  • using an extra pillow
  • reducing alcohol intake 
  • vitamin C creams and even hemorrhoid creams 

But none of these treatments worked very well to reduce the appearance of my puffy lids. 

Note: The lymphatic massages helped reduce the swelling, but it took a while. It's worth giving this a try, if you have the extra time because it can also help reduce fluid retention and slim the lower face and double chin area.

What are the best over-the-counter products for puffy eyes?

Serums: Serums seem to work the best for lifting and reduce puffiness. But many come with uncomfortable side effects that can leave the skin feeling irritated.

Most were too drying, too sticky, left a white powdery residue, or cracked when you smiled. At least that's been my experience.

Check out my complete and extensive page: Review and Comparision of Potent Lift vs Plexaderm, Peter Thomas Roth, And Other Popular Eye Serums!  

Creams: While they may feel hydrating and help with crepey skin, they do not reduce swelling as firmly as serums can.

Gels: I've tried them all, even the popular and very expensive LifeCell eye gel. While it felt good and was cooling, it did nothing to tighten or lift under-eye area.

Bottom line: Is LifeCell worth the money? No, not for me.

Why this under-eye serum is different

What I like about EES is:

  • not thick, drying, or sticky
  • it does not leave a whitish residue, unless you use too much
  • it's easy to work with
  • it has a light, flexible, gel-like consistency 

Plus, unlike most other eye lift serums, you can apply this serum on top of your favorite moisturizer or makeup.  

This is important if you're a man or woman over 40 and have dry under eye skin. We need our moisturizer, right?

How to reduce puffy eyes with the EES serum: Tips for best results

How to alleviate swelling in the lower eyelid area.

You only need to apply it once a day and it will last for 10-12 hours.

For me, it's even lasted after a 2-hour long sweaty workout, as long as I don't rub the under eye area.

Important Tip: After washing and drying your face, apply an eye moisturizer, sunscreen, makeup, etc., then wait a few minutes until all products are absorbed. The puffy eye serum works better that way.

If you use a lot of oily products around the eye area, consider lightly blotting the area with a tissue before applying the serum.

Once the other skincare products have had time to soak in (about 5-10) minutes, I do following steps:

  • swipe a pea-size drop of the EES serum across the puffy part of the under-eye area.
  • While the serum is absorbing, try not to smile or crinkle the under eye skin. Some people feel a bit of tingling as it works to shrink and lift the skin.

Want to reduce puffy eyes - give the serum a try

How to reduce puffy eyes in one minute? Give this serum a try!

I urge you to try the Easy Eye Solution Serum. This has been my favorite remedy for puffy eyes since 2012.

Also read more about Under Eye Treatment tips for more ideas on how to use this serum.

FAQ: How to reduce puffy eyes

Q: What's the best drugstore eye puffiness cream?

A: I haven't found one yet. First, puffy eye creams never worked for me. The consistency and ingredients in firming serums usually work much better than creamy products.

But, the problem is, many serums work too well and tend to over-dry or irritate the skin. Products like Plexaderm and Potentlift work really well to hide under eye puffiness. But, they tend to peel or leave a whitish cast. 

That's why I like the Easy Eye Solutions serum and have been a fan of it for over 12 years.

Q: How do you Depuff your eyes in minutes?

A: Well, you can spend a few minutes with cold compresses on your eyes. But, this could take up to 30 minutes to see results.

Personally, I use the EES (Easy Eye Serum) first thing in the morning. It helps reduce the look of puffiness and that crinkly looking skin we often get on top of the cheekbones.

The serum takes about 5 minutes to dry, so it's pretty fast. Much faster than sitting around with ice cubes on your eyelids. :-)

Q: What is best for crepey skin under eyes?

A: If you want quick results to reduce the look of crepey under eye skin, try the serum mentioned on this page. It will reduce the look, temporarily.

If you're looking for long term results, a good, hydrating retinol cream can stimulate collagen production and firm up the under eye area, as well as your whole face and neck.

Q: Does hyaluronic acid reduce puffy eyes?

A: Hyaluronic acid can help hydrate the skin, but will not have an effect in reducing excess fluid under the eyes. A good puffy eye serum can help reduce the appearance of puffiness, and a facial stimulating massage can help reduce and move excess fluid away from the under eye area.

Q: Does eye puffiness cream work?

A: I've never had a cream that reduced puffy eyes. I've even tried creams (and made my own at-home) with caffeine or coffee grinds. But, I never saw quick results.

Eye puffy creams might work over time, but I'm always looking for a quick fix, so I can go about my day and look refreshed, not tired.

Q: Do tea bags for eye puffiness?

A: Yes, tea bags can help a little, but it might take 20–30 minutes to see results. Tea bags contain natural compounds, like tannins and caffeine, that have anti-inflammatory properties.

And, if you use cold tea bags, the cool temperature can also help constrict blood vessels, reduce swelling, and alleviate puffiness. 

Q: How can I get rid of eye puffiness from allergies?

A: Taking antihistamines is the best if you get swollen eyes from allergies. An under eye serum can also help.

Q: How can I reduce puffy eyes after crying?

A: Try cold compresses. This includes: cold tea bags, cucumbers, cold spoons, ice packs, frozen peas... Anything cold can help reduce swelling. 

You can also try massaging the eye area and when you're done, apply a good eye lift serum for an instant lift.

Q: Does witch hazel reduce puffy eyes?

A: Some say that since witch hazel helps reduce inflammation, it can help reduce puffy eyes, if the puffy eye cause is due to inflammation.

Witch hazel contains tannins that have astringent properties and can cause blood vessels to constrict or tighten when applied to the skin.

However, witch hazel (and the tannins they contain) can be very drying and can irritate delicate under eye skin. This is a case where each individual needs to find out what works for them.

I'd proceed with caution.

Q: How do I use witch hazel for swollen eyelids?

A: I would proceed with caution when applying witch hazel for puffy eyelids. You might want to do a skin test first to make sure it doesn't irritate.

If you still want to try it, here's what you can do:

Pour a few drops of witch hazel onto round cotton pads. Then close your eyes and place the pads over your eyelids. Leave in place for 10–20 minutes.  Rinse well and apply an eye cream.

Q: Does Thermalift help with puffy eyes?

A: Thermalift is an in-office cosmetic procedure that helps tighten and lift the skin. How it works: A special device heats up the skin, which encourages it to produce more collagen, a natural substance that keeps our skin firm and youthful. 

It's not intended for reducing puffy eyes. But it might help reduce puffiness in the area due to lymphatic drainage. Also, if the skin is tighter, the puffiness may not be so visible.

However, if your puffy eyes are due to bulging fat pads, only a lower blepharoplasty surgery can help. That's where the surgeon removes the excess fat and tightens the skin.

Question: Does it work for dark bags or under eye circles?

Answer: Sometimes under eye puffiness can cast a shadow above the cheek bone which can look like dark bags or dark circles under the eyes. If you reduce the puffiness, you can reduce the look of shadows or dark circles under the eyes too.

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