The Beauty Edit

Women often encounter puffiness around the eyes which can make you look weary or rather, less awake. While the causes can vary from dehydration to overconsumption of salt, allergies, stress and crying; it can be dealt with fairly easily. Here are a few steps you can take to tackle those puffy eyes!

Drink enough water



You must have heard it a million times now; water has incredible effects on the body. Water helps flush out excess fluids from your system, reducing the amount of salt concentration in and around the eye area that causes puffiness. Drinking ample amount of water also helps achieve a healthier appearance of the skin.

Use eye creams



The skin around your eyes is 10 times thinner than that on your face and the rest of your body and ages approximately 36% faster than the rest of your skin. Eye creams are a great way of moisturising and rejuvenating the skin and should be used daily. Here are a few you can put to the test:

• Nivea Cellular Anti-Age Eye Cream

• Clinique Pep Start Eye Cream

• L’Oréal Paris Advanced Revitalift Eye

• Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix

• Clinique Pep Start Eye Cream

• Olay Ultimate Eye Cream

Add potassium-rich foods to your diet



Eating potassium-rich foods helps eliminate excess fluids in the body. Apart from bananas, avocados, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, peas and cucumbers, coconut water and yoghurt can reduce water retention in the body.

Use cold cucumber slices and teabags



Applying cucumber slices or damp teabags helps sooth the eyes. Just like any other swelling, the culprit behind eye bags is fluid build-up in the tissues around the eye area which can be reduced with a cold compress. Keep the cucumber or wet tea bags in the refrigerator for 10 minutes and placing them on the eyes until they grow warm; is a good temporary fix. If you don’t have access to cucumbers or tea bags, simple cold spoons should do the trick too.

Address your allergies



Seasonal allergies may cause the eyes to puff up. Puffiness due to allergies can be treated by using prescribed eye drops to flush out any impurities and by using shades or other eyewear while outdoors.

Reduce salt in your diet



Over indulgence in salt causes water retention which leads to puffiness. Consuming excessive salt is unhealthy as it leads to increase in blood pressure levels which over time take a toll on the kidneys. Incorporate fresh meat, fruits and vegetables into your diet as they are low in sodium as compared to their processed counterparts.

Getting plenty of sleep and rest



Make sure you get enough sleep. Seven to nine hours of sleep is sufficient for adults. Try to find a comfortable position to sleep while lying on your back as lying on the stomach causes fluids to collect under the eyes.