How to Depuff Eyes Quickly, According to Dermatologists and Estheticians

Whether it’s from a lack of sleep, drinking too much bubbly or crying your eyes out while watching Pride & Prejudice, we’ve all woken up with puffy eyes before. Thankfully, there are a few ways to deflate them quickly. We tapped a group of dermatologists and estheticians for their best tips ahead. 

• Dr. Teresa Song is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York. She specializes in general and cosmetic dermatology, including aesthetic procedures like fillers, laser devices, microneedling and chemical peels. Dr. Song also serves as a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital Dermatology residency and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology. 
• Sasha Banner is a skincare trainer and licensed esthetician for Heyday Skincare, a personalized facial experience with various locations throughout the U.S. She has five years of experience, training and educating aspiring estheticians. 
• Dr. Claire Wolinsky is a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York. She has experience in laser treatments, injectables (fillers and neuromodulators) and non-surgical facial rejuvenations. She’s also a clinical instructor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology. 
• Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson is a board-certified dermatologist, president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Connecticut. She’s also an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital. Dr. Robinson is also a principal investigator and worked on 38 research studies focusing skincare products and devices.
• Dr. Maya Thosani is a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Modern Dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona. She specializes in dermoscopy, skin cancer detection and a variety of treatments for her patients. She’s also a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. 
• Shamara Bonadaroff is an esthetician and founder of SB Skin in New York. She has a decade of experience and specializes in microcurrent facials. 
• David Richard Petrillo is a cosmetic chemist and founder of Perfect Image. He has over two decades of experience, specializing in non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels and clarifying treatments. He currently has his own skincare line, which targets concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, breakouts, enlarged pores and hyperpigmentation. 

There are a few factors that can cause puffy eyes. As mentioned, puffy eyes can be caused by a lack of sleep, consumption of lots of salt or alcohol, excessive rubbing of the eyes, allergies and increased stress. Some experts also point out that puffy eyes can be genetic, in which case you may need to seek out a medical professional for guidance on treatment options depending on the severity of the puffiness. 

“It’s important to set your expectations. You may see a reduction in the appearance of puffiness, but it will not eliminate it immediately. Consistency of any treatment is key and [targeting] the cause of puffiness matters. If lack of sleep, allergies or a consumption of too much salt (or alcohol) is contributing to your puffiness, then these tips coupled with an improved lifestyle and diet will help over time,” shares Banner. 

According to Petrillo, there are a few ingredients that can help reduce puffiness. Here are five commonly used ones in skincare products: 

• Caffeine: “It’s a vasoconstrictor, which means it can temporarily constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. It’s often found in eye creams and gels designed to reduce puffiness,” says Petrillo. 
• Hyaluronic Acid: “It’s a hydrating ingredient that helps plump and moisturize the skin. When the skin around the eyes is hydrated, it can appear less puffy,” he says. 
• Peptides: “These are amino acid compounds that can help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Some peptides are even formulated specifically to target puffiness and dark circles,” he adds. 
• Aloe Vera: “It has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for calming irritated or puffy skin,” he says. 
• Green Tea Extract: “It’s rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce puffiness and soothe the skin around the eyes,” he adds.
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): “It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps strengthen the skin barrier, reduce puffiness and protect against future damage,” he says.

Other ingredients shared by our experts include vitamin C, arnica extract and witch hazel. Keep reading to learn how to depuff eyes—from compressing them with a cold spoon to trying out gentle face massages at home. 

Making a trip to your dermatologist? Consider asking about this in-office procedure to combat swollen eyes, among other things. “High intensity focused ultrasound devices like Ultherapy, can penetrate deeper under the skin compared to topicals. It can also massage and stimulate collagen production in the long run,” explains Dr. Song. If you’re interested, the derm notes it can be very time consuming (about a few hours in the office) and expensive, so keep those two factors in mind before committing. Plus, it’ll take about six or so months to see results. 

Another derm procedure to consider is radiofrequency microneedling. As Dr. Thosani explains, “It’s a gold standard treatment that addresses under-eye puffiness, wrinkling and skin surface abnormalities. After topical cream is applied to numb the area, the device uses a grid of tiny needles to heat the dermis and reduce fat, tighten the skin and build new collagen over time.”