Under eye bags affect many people, and can leave you feeling quite self-conscious. They also make us look tired and older than we really are.
The delicate skin around the eye is 10 times thinner than the skin on the rest of the face, which allows problems below the surface to appear more pronounced in this area.
What causes puffy under eye bags?
Broken blood vessels
There are many factors which contribute to puffiness around the eyes. One common cause is broken blood vessels around the eyes which prevents the fluid around the eyes from draining properly. Poor diet, smoking and alcohol can cause a breakdown of the tiny blood vessels underneath the eye — which slows down the fluid from draining around the eye.
A build up of fluid around the eye contributes to under eye bags, increased fluid around the eye can be caused by infection to both the eye and the sinuses, as well as allergies. Both seasonal allergies and food intolerances can cause a build-up of fluid in the canals around the eyes and nose, which contributes to under eye swelling.
If you suffer from any type of allergies you will need to resolve the inflammation from the allergy before you will notice a difference in puffiness around the eyes.
A high salt diet
A diet high in salt causes the body to retain water, you may notice under-eye bags, swollen fingers and ankles, as well as a general puffy feeling. Sodium is found in almost all processed foods, and it is very easy to have too much salt each day by consuming only a few of these foods.
Try to avoid processed foods wherever possible, and always check labels and choose products with he lowest sodium content. Most real food contains very little salt, especially in New Zealand as soils are naturally low in sodium, so try to base your diet around real food so that you naturally avoid unnecessary sodium — fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, eggs, legumes and beans, and whole grains should make up the majority of your diet.
Ageing skin
Sometimes under-eye bags are formed as the skin ages, the fat surrounding the eye is held in place by the membranes around the eye which are connected by the skin. As the skin ages and sags the fat moves and sags with it, appearing as eye bags.
Ageing is a natural process, and sagging of the skin around the eyes is unpreventable up to a point.
Delay the ageing process with good nutrition and skincare, and avoiding sun damage, smoking and harsh skincare.
It is also important to remember that the skin around the eyes is very delicate, so refrain from rubbing the eyes and damaging the thin skin — this can speed up ageing. Remove make and apply skincare very carefully, when removing makeup let the makeup remover sit on the eye and dissolve the makeup before wiping away.
5 tips to reduce and prevent puffy under eye bags:
1. Lymphatic massage:
Lymphatic massage around the eyes can help to clear the fluid causing the bags. By lightly sweeping the skin on the face in the right direction you can help to move the fluid in the face, reducing puffiness.
Start by sweeping from the sides of the nose down towards the chin 8-10 times, then from the inner corner of the eye towards the side of the face, then from between the eyebrows out to the temples, then the inner eyes towards the jaw line, and finally from the jaw line and temple down the sides of the neck.
You can also use facial tool or Tailor Awaken's applicator to massage your eye area. The ceramic tip provides a cooling effect which can help reduce puffiness.
2. Tailor Awaken - Brightening Eye Cream:
3. Tailor Hydrate:
Hydrate is the ultimate skin hydration hero to plump, brighten and protect your skin. Like Awaken, Hydrate also contains hyaluronic acid to get that plumping action and minimising fine lines and wrinkles. Hydrate also contains Vitamin B3, which retains hydration and reduces redness on your skin. Plus NZ botanical Kowhai extract, which soothes inflammation and fights bacteria.
Hydrate is perfect as an eye gel or facial serum for oily skin or combination skin types.
4. Reduce irritation:
Cucumbers and chilled, wet chamomile tea bags work to reduce irritation and puffiness. Apply one or the other to your eyes. This is a great trick for puffy under eye bags caused by allergies.
5. Hydration:
Author - Jessica Gilljam Brown.
Jessica is a qualified nutritionist, and takes a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. She is passionate about helping people to discover how amazing their bodies are designed to feel when powered by the right nutrients. Jessica uses evidence-based science to help educate, and make lasting changes in peoples lives. Learn more on her website.
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