How To Get Rid of Under Eye Bags – Dermatologists Advise

Always find yourself boggled by how to get rid of eye bags? You’re not alone. Beauty experts frequently encounter the common client concern of how to eliminate bags under the eyes and the desire for a quick solution. But is it possible to get rid of them for good? And if so, where do you start? We’ve consulted with three aesthetic experts to bring you all the information you need.

What causes bags under eyes?

Puffy under-eye bags causes are often thought to result from lack of sleep, but many other triggers come into play regarding under-eye bags and puffiness. Below are some of the key causes: 

Tiredness 

An apparent reason for under-eye bags is tiredness. The science behind dark circles occurring due to a lack of Z’s is that your skin relies on sleep to regulate its health. When you sleep, your skin will produce fluid under your eyes. However, tiredness can cause this fluid to leak into the bloodstream, causing the blood vessels under your eyes to appear more pronounced. 

Alcohol

Consumption of alcohol can cause our blood vessels to dilate – and this particularly applies to the blood vessels under our eyes. The result? Under-eye bags appear more prominent and darker in colour. 

Ageing  

As we age, our skin’s ability to produce collagen and elastin decreases, meaning our skin tissue can become looser and less plump. As a result, the skin around the eye can sag away from the muscle and into the lower eye region.  

Sleeping position 

If you’re a side or front sleeper and suffer from puffy dark circles, it could be triggered by how you position yourself at night.

Sleeping with your face into a pillow can cause skin dragging, resulting in sagginess and excess fluid building up around the eyes. Instead, experts recommend sleeping on your back with an extra pillow to let gravity work its magic on any fluid that might build up. 

Lack of nutrients 

A deficit of nutrients in your diet can also cause eye bags. A lack of iron can particularly be to blame, as it can lead to a poor supply of oxygen in the bloodstream. 

Too much sun 

We all know that sun damage can take its toll on our facial skin, causing pigmentation and premature ageing. But the sun can also make dark circles worse, affecting the skin’s elasticity under the eyes and causing it to sag. This is one of the reasons why you should never skip your SPF, even when the weather is not sunny, 

Not removing make-up 

You might use make-up to cover up your under-eye bags in the first place, but if you don’t remove it properly before bed, it can irritate the skin around your eyes and cause them to swell. The result? Dark, puffier eyes. 

TRY: Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover

How to get rid of eye bags naturally - 6 expert tips

Want to know how to remove eye bags permanently without surgery? We talked to three aesthetic experts – Dr. Ahmed El Muntasar, Dr. Victoria Manning, and Dr. Charlotte Woodward, founders of River Aesthetics – about the various things you can do to prevent and treat under-eye bags, ranging from skincare ingredients to lifestyle changes, all without going under the knife. 

#1. Always use an eye cream 

Did you know that the skin around your eyes is one of the thinnest on your body? 

“The skin around the eyes is very delicate. It is three to five times thinner than on most of the face, and therefore very sensitive to the slightest internal or external pressures which can cause fine lines and wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles,” says Dr. Victoria Manning. “A great eye cream is essential for addressing such concerns and providing hydration to enhance radiance and keep the skin looking youthful.” 

If you are witnessing puffiness under the eye, we recommend you try V Shaping Facial Lift Tightening & Anti-Puffiness Eye Concentrate. Packed with botanical extracts, this is the best eye cream for instantly reducing puffy and swollen eyes. This eye cream will target dark circles to visibly brighten the eye contours. 

#2. Use products with green tea ingredients or caffeine  

“To reduce puffiness and under eye bags, green tea has antioxidants to reduce inflammation and promote DNA repair to assist the skin in recuperating from UV damage,” says Dr. Charlotte Woodward. “It also unclogs pores, making it easier for your skin to absorb the other beneficial ingredients in your eye cream and moisturiser, as well as containing soothing vitamin B2 and Vitamin E, both of which are critical for skin health,” she adds.

In addition, caffeine and tannin, also found in green tea, help reduce blood vessels in the eye area, reducing dark circles and puffiness. 

An eye cream like Total Eye Contour Gel contains purifying plant extracts and caffeine, helping to erase signs of tiredness, toning the eye contour and enhancing its radiance. This cooling, non-oily eye gel makes your eyes appear energised and brighter.

#3. Use peels and skin boosters 

Definitely less scary than it sounds, using a chemical peel gel may be the answer to your under-eye woes. “These gels contain glycolic and retinoic acid ingredients to help lighten dark pigmentation under the eyes,” says Dr. Muntasar.  

Try: Beauty Flash Peel. Formulated with an optimised blend of 5.7% naturally exfoliating Glycolic Acid (AHA) and 0.5% purifying and soothing Salicylic Acid (BHA), this peel resurfaces to promote radiant, visibly clearer and renewed skin in just one step. Remember to avoid applying this skincare for under eye bags too close to the eyes, just the bags and circle around the eyes are enough.  

#4. Tweak your lifestyle 

“Dark Circles can often be a result of factors such as stress and lack of sleep,” explains Dr Ahmed El Muntasar. “Finding ways to change your schedule may be helpful. This could involve meditating, going to bed early, and developing an exercise routine for eliminating stress,” he says. 

#5. Use retinol alternatives

According to Dr. Charlotte Woodward, retinol has proven anti-ageing benefits for the sensitive skin beneath the eyes. She says: “Retinol is a form of vitamin A which regenerates new cell growth, helps the ageing cells to slough off and be replaced by younger-acting skin cells, and also rebuilds critical collagen to restore elasticity,” she explains. 

But if retinol is not an option for you, because of sensitive skin or maybe you are in maternity, retinol alternative, or natural retinol is the solution. 

TRY: Clarins Total Eye Lift, which contains harungana, a plant-based retinol alternative. This is the best thing for under-eye bags in a gentle form. This silky cream gel glides onto the eye area to lift, smooth and brighten the eye bags.

#6. Opt for Hyaluronic Acid 

As your dark circles may be due to a lack of moisture in your skin, Dr. Woodward recommends using a hyaluronic acid-based product. “Look for eye creams containing hyaluronic acid, as it has amazing moisture-retaining properties,” she says.

Continuing, “As we age, and especially with exposure to UV radiation, the amount of natural hyaluronic acid in the skin declines. When used as an ingredient in an eye cream, it plumps up the skin cells beneath the eye, where they tend to thin with age and fall closer to bone structure to create deep shadows. Hyaluronic acid makes skin look more supple and smooth and decreases redness and irritation.” 

TRY: Total Eye Hydrate which contains leaf of life: an ingredient as effective as hyaluronic acid. This super-hydrating cooling balm-mask helps to reduce signs of dehydration and fatigue for instantly brighter-looking eyes.

Can you get rid of under-eye bags permanently?

The best way to get rid of under-eye bags is to stick to a specialised routine or opt for surgery. But, for most people, this might be a little too extreme. So following the correct advice and using the right products and make-up can help keep under-eye bags at bay. 

How to get rid of eye bags fast 

Are you pressed for time? You can use a few hacks to minimise the appearance of dark circles in a hurry. 

One of the best ways to instantly reduce puffiness is to cool the area of skin around the eye. Hold a cold compress onto the area for around five minutes, and watch the puffiness shrink.  

Another great tip is to keep your eye makeup remover in the fridge and incorporate this cool aid into your regimen. And for dark circles that won’t budge? Try a colour corrector beneath your concealer. Smudge a product like SOS Primer, before applying a long-wearing concealer like Instant Concealer. 

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