Understanding Under-Eye Bags & Puffiness: Causes & Ways to Reduce Them

Sep 15, 2025

You wake up and look at the mirror, shocked to find that your under-eye area looks dark, baggy, puffy or swollen. How did this happen? Well, there are multiple reasons for developing under-eye bags, ranging from lifestyle-related eyestrain to genetics. It is mostly a cosmetic concern, but it can surely make you look tired and older than your actual age. And, therefore, it is natural to want to get rid of under-eye bags and puffiness. So, how to manage this problem? Let us find out.

This blog includes information about the causes of developing under-eye bags and ways to reduce under-eye bags and puffiness. Keep reading to learn more.

Baggy or Puffy Under Eyes

Baggy eyes is a condition where there is a mild swelling or puffiness, saggy or loose skin, or dark circles under the eyes and lower eyelids. This happens due to fluid retention and fat moving to a different area below the eye. It also occurs when the tissues around your eyes and muscles supporting your eyelids weaken due to ageing or other factors. It is usually a cosmetic worry and does not indicate a serious health condition. Sometimes, baggy eyes can be a symptom of other health problems and may require an expert’s attention.

Reasons for bags or puffiness under the eyes

Various factors cause bags or puffiness under the eyes, including:

• Ageing
• Inherited facial features (this condition can run in families)
• Inadequate sleep
• Stress
• Allergies
• Fluid retention in the under-eye area
• Dehydration
• Alcohol consumption
• Excessive consumption of high-salt food
• Smoking
• Symptom of a health condition

Medical Conditions Puffy Under Eyes can Indicate

Baggy or puffy eyes are usually cosmetic concerns and not a caus

e for worry. However, swollen eyes are sometimes confused with puffy eyes. Swollen eyelids occur suddenly and might be a sign of an underlying medical condition or disease, such as:

• Thyroid eye disease
• Graves’ disease
• Sinus infections
• Allergic reactions
• Dermatitis or eczema
• Kidney failure or other systemic diseases
• Pink eye
• Dry eye syndrome
• Blepharochalasis

Ways to Reduce Under-Eye Bags or Puffiness

Here are some of the ways to reduce under-eye bags or puffiness:

Home remedies

• Use a cold compress: Apply a cool cucumber or a wet, soft cloth to the puffed under-eye area for a few minutes. You can also massage with a chilled teaspoon. It helps constrict the blood vessels and reduces dark circles.
• Apply caffeinated tea: Caffeine contains antioxidants and can help increase blood flow to the skin. Steep a couple of caffeinated tea bags for 3-5 minutes and refrigerate them for around 20 minutes. Squeeze out the extra liquid and apply the bags to your under-eye area. Let them work for 15-30 minutes.
• Stay hydrated: Research suggests that about half of the people worldwide do not meet the daily water intake recommendations. Drink an adequate amount of water or any fluid/liquid to keep your hydration levels in check. This helps reduce under-eye puffiness.
• Get adequate sleep: Develop a sleep schedule and ensure you take around 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily. Lack of sleep can make your complexion appear pale, cause tiredness, and make dark circles more visible. Also, keep your head elevated while you sleep to prevent fluid from pooling in the lower eyelids.
• Use the right products: Use eye creams prepared to protect the delicate eye area and hydrate the skin to reduce under-eye bags. Products like Weleda Smoothing Eye Cream can be beneficial for reducing under-eye puffiness. Also, use sunscreens regularly to prevent premature ageing.
• Change food habits: Avoid eating salty foods as salt can affect the body’s fluid retention and contribute to puffiness. Add more iron, vitamin C and collagen-rich foods to your diet, as iron deficiency can cause dark circles, and collagen is beneficial for muscle and tissue health.
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Exposure to digital devices for long can cause strain to eyes. The 20-20-20 rule has been developed to help relieve the strain on the eyes caused by this screen time. It says that for every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen, you should take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away. Follow this rule to reduce the strain on your eyes.
• Add supplements to the diet: Add collagen peptides, vitamin C and antioxidant supplements, like Swisse Beauty Collagen Glow Powder, Nutra Organics Collagen Beauty Powder, Herbs of Gold Resveratrol AdvantAGE Capsules, etc., to your diet. This can help support the delicate skin under your eyes. However, it is a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before using any supplement.
• Quit smoking: Stop smoking, as the nicotine can deplete vitamin C levels from the body, which may lead to wrinkles, dark circles, and under-eye bags.

Treatment

• Chemical Peels: In this cosmetic treatment, the outer layers of the damaged skin are removed, revealing smoother and younger-looking skin underneath. This improves the skin’s texture and tone. It also helps stimulate collagen production.
• Eye fillers: Here, fillers (typically made of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the body that can hold moisture) are injected into the under-eye area to fill in hollows. This makes the skin appear smoother. It can also stimulate collagen production and improve the skin elasticity and firmness over time.
• Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery): This treatment involves the removal of excess fat through an incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelids or inside the lower eyelids. It helps remove and reposition fat and tighten the skin.

Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some of the common questions you might have about the puffy eyes problem:

Q. Which vitamin is good for getting rid of puffy eyes?

A. Vitamins C & K can help reduce puffy eyes. Vitamin C supports collagen production and helps strengthen the skin. Vitamin K supports blood circulation and can help reduce dark circles and puffiness.

Q. What to drink to reduce under-eye puffiness?

A. It is important to stay hydrated to reduce puffiness under the eyes. Drink an adequate amount of liquid, including plain or flavoured water and fruit juices. You can also eat more water-rich foods like cucumbers and other such vegetables.

Q. Can puffy eyes indicate organ failure?

A. Puffy eyes may be a symptom of a kidney problem. When the kidneys are unable to remove excess water and waste from the body, this can build up in the body tissues, resulting in swelling in different parts of the body.

Parting notes

Under-eye bags or puffiness is usually an age, heredity or lifestyle-related problem and not a cause of worry. Puffiness can be reduced by making changes in your routine and habits or by undergoing a treatment. However, if it appears for very long, it is advisable to consult a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment. Check out the extensive collection of healthcare products available at healthsupplements.com.au to get all you need for your eye care.