Puffy eyes leave you looking tired or under-the-weather. No magic cure will completely wipe away your puffy eyes, but you can minimize the puffiness and swelling with a few home treatment techniques. If you frequently experience puffy eyes, take a closer look at the root cause — changes to your routine or lifestyle may help reduce the appearance of bags under your eyes.

Causes of Puffiness

Occasional puffiness in the eye area occurs in most women, especially with aging. The skin and tissue near your eyes are naturally thin and sensitive. As you age, that tissue becomes weaker, leaving your eyes susceptible to puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles. Genetics can play a role in eye puffiness, and changes in the weather may cause water retention that leaves eyes looking puffy. Hormone changes or increased salt intake also lead to water retention. A lack of sleep, allergies and crying are other possible causes.

Cold Treatment

A cool compress reduces eye puffiness to varying degrees. Try a cool, wet washcloth draped around the eye area for at least five minutes. MayoClinic.com suggests light pressure while you apply the washcloth. Dampened and cooled green tea bags, cool cucumber slices, frozen vegetables or a cooled eye mask are other ways to apply soothing coolness to your puffy eyes.

Diet

The food and drink you put into your body does more than affect the numbers on the scale. Your diet affects your appearance in both positive and negative ways. A reduction in your salt intake reduces the chances of water retention that can lead to puffy eyes. Increased water consumption, always part of a healthy diet, also helps to reduce puffiness. The increased hydration leaves skin looking firm instead of puffy.

Lifestyle

A busy schedule keeps many women up late, but shorting your body on sleep can cause harm. One way your body reacts to a lack of sleep is with bags under your eyes. Aim for eight hours of sleep each night. Elevate your head during sleep, either with an extra pillow or by raising the entire end of the bed, advises MayoClinic.com. Fluids have less of a chance to remain in the eye area with the slight elevation of your head.

Considerations

Allergies sometimes cause eye puffiness, so keep your allergies under control to reduce overall puffiness. Sensitivities to cosmetics or other beauty products might also cause puffiness in the eye area. Choose your products carefully, particularly if your skin tends to react easily to irritants. A regular, gentle washing and moisturizing routine for your skin improves the appearance of the area around your eyes.