You can see them a mile away as you approach the bathroom mirror. Soon, you’re scrambling for your jade roller and regretting that salty meal the night before. It’s a problem as common as high sodium levels in soy sauce, but fortunately, the best creams for puffy eyes can quell even the most swollen scenarios.
And though everyone deals with puffy eyes at some point, the reasons behind them are vast. Good old genetics aside, causes include lack of sleep, allergies, water retention, and eye strain (darn you, blue light), but the most common puffy eye perpetrator, according to Joomee Song, esthetician and de-puffing guru to the stars, is diet.
We’re not exactly in the business of telling folks to never to indulge in a margarita or two, and no matter how hard you prep for a good night’s sleep, your sound machine won’t always get the job done. The point is, no matter how conscious we are of puffy eye triggers, things are going to get a little swollen from time to time. You just have to be prepared.
And who better to arm you with a perfect de-puffing product than top estheticians? To zero in on the best in the game, we tapped Song, founder of the transformative KAIKA massage, and celebrity facialist Candace Marino (aka The LA Facialist).
Ahead, we break down the best creams for puffy eyes that suit a variety of scenarios. So whether you’re looking for the best drugstore find, a nighttime de-puffer, or a cream that works best for mature skin, we have your eyes covered.
What Ingredients Help Reduce Under Eye Puffiness?
Before we get to the best creams for puffy eyes, it’s helpful to know what makes them work so well. Knowledge is power, especially when you’re shopping the overwhelming aisles of Ulta or Sephora.
Vitamin K
Though it’s not quite as famous as vitamins A, C, or D, Marino and Song both doubled down on this fat-soluble vitamin (known in the skincare world as phytonadione). “Vitamin K is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that helps stimulate blood flow and is excellent for moving stagnant fluid that may be causing puffiness and dark circles,” Marino adds.
Arnica
Song added the bruise healing arnica to her vitamin K recommendation. “They are both known to treat blood clotting and bruising by helping the blood flow through the capillaries, and this movement helps under-eye puffiness,” Song explains. “I also use them to treat dark circles.”
Caffeine
Looking for something to perk you right up? Caffeine can get the job done topically as well.
Manual Facial Massage
It’s not an ingredient per se, but nothing gets the blood flowing quite like a massage. That being said, vigorous movements around your eyes don’t seem like something you should wing. Thankfully, Song offers a helpful visual guide.
“The stiffer your tissue becomes, the less drainage occurs, so massage is the most accessible and straightforward treatment you can do at home to reduce puffiness,” Song shares. “You can use your hands or your favorite tools, providing you are always gentle. Taking a warm shower or hopping in a sauna to stimulate the body’s metabolism will also help reduce puffiness.”
The Best Eye Creams for Puffy Eyes
Marino offers a helpful tip to go along with your cream: “In the morning, give yourself an under-eye massage to stimulate the lymph. Tap around the eye area and massage outward toward the ears and down the neck. Then apply your eye cream.”
Best Morning Cream for Puffy Eyes: Revision Vitamin K Serum
u003cpu003eu0022Although this is marketed for the face, it’s so well-formulated you can use this as an eye treatment. As mentioned, I love using vitamin K and arnica to treat puffiness and dark circles, and this serum is loaded with both.u0022 u003cemu003e— Joomee Songu003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e
Best Evening Cream for Puffy Eyes: Chanel Revitalizing Eye Cream
u003cpu003eu0022More than 90% of its ingredients are derived from natural resources. You can almost feel their commitment to incredible product formulation when you apply this eye cream. It’s packed with Tsubaki flower extract to target and treat dark circles and puffiness.u0022u003cemu003e— Joomee Songu003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e
Best Drugstore Pick for Puffy Eyes: Maelove, The Eye Enhancer
u003cpu003eu0022It’s loaded with antioxidants and peptides and has a super light texture. I genuinely appreciate what Maelove is doing because their formulations are really good, and their price points are accessible to many.u0022 u003cemu003e— Joomee Songu003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e
Another Great Budget Option: The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + ECGC Depuffing Eye Serum
u003cpu003eThis serum features a high concentration of green tea leaves, but goes on light as a feather. It’s perfect for those just beginning to incorporate eye creams into their daily routine—just u003ca href=u0022https://camillestyles.com/beauty/skincare/best-the-ordinary-products/u0022u003ebe careful what you mix it with.u003c/au003e u003c/pu003e
Great All-Around Option: Furtuna Skin’s Visione Di Luce Eye Revitalizing Cream
u003cpu003eu0022Beyond addressing puffiness, it provides deep nourishment to the delicate eye tissue, combats lines and wrinkles, and improves dark circles. Regarding puffiness, the eye cream contains vitamin K, one of the most potent anti-inflammatory vitamins that aids in promoting circulation, reducing water retention, and also helps heal and strengthen the tissue.u0022u003cemu003e — Candace Marinou003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e
Best Cream for Sensitive Skin: Lather Toning Eye Gel with Peptides
u003cpu003eGentle but effective on the delicate area around your eyes, this nourishing gel is the one to reach for when your aim is to reduce puffiness and revitalize skin after a night of less-than-optimal sleep. Pro tip: Store the gel in your fridge for a super-soothing experience.u003c/pu003e
Best For Layering: BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector
u003cpu003eThis lightweight pick is a good option if you’re applying makeup immediately after your skincare routine. Formulated to reduce puffiness, quell crow’s feet, and brighten dark circles, this moisturizing maven can be seamlessly woven into your daily routine.u003c/pu003e
Best Clean Cream: Youth To The PeoplenDream Eye Cream with Vitamin C and Ceramides
u003cpu003eCult-favorite Youth To The People has a way of formulating products that effectively target all of our skincare woes. Hydrated, bright, and rejuvenated are the results you can expect after even just a single application. Get ready to wake up feeling (and looking!) refreshed.u003c/pu003e
Best Firming Cream: Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Firming u0026 Lifting Eye Cream
u003cpu003eAnother recipient of the coveted u003cemu003eAllureu003c/emu003e Best of Beauty award, this cream boasts a super-luxe, velvety texture that smooths and hydrates for visibly firmer skin. Sugarcane-dervied squalane seals in moisture while Marine algae doubles down on fine lines and wrinkles.u003c/pu003eShare this Post
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