Dear Kate, I'm plagued by nasty, puffy skin below my eyes. How do I get rid of them?
Julie T.
Dear Julie,
Puffiness around your eyes is caused by many factors; allergies, sleep deprivation, alcohol, too much salt in your diet and even a blubbery bout of tears! Different though they are, all these things have one thing in common, they are all irritants which will cause any excess fluid to settle temporarily under the skin. Unfortunately as we grow older our skin does thin causing this problem to be even more apparent. Skin around your eye area shows any fluid retention far more than any other bit! If you have partied a little to hard and overindulged in way too many dirty martinis (salty olives + vodka equals mucho puffiness!!) you can do your bit to combat the inevitable. When you get home drink, drink, drink; water that is! Drinking water will help your skin flush out your system. If allergies or a broken heart are the cause, pop an antihistamine before bed. Whatever the cause it is always good to plump up the pillows before you get into bed. Sleeping with your head slightly raised will help prevent excess fluid from pooling around your eyes.
To Soothe Away Puffiness
Take two chamomile tea bags (chamomile has a wonderful anti-inflammatory action and it is oh so soothing!) Dunk them in cool water, pop in a plastic bag and put in the freezer for about 15 minutes or so. Then remove the tea bags, retreat to your bed ensuring that your head is elevated, close eyes and place each tea bag so it rests on the eyelid and under eye area. Now comes the tough part; relax for a good 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and then gently rinse skin with tepid water.
Be Gentle
When eyes are puffy they are irritated. Avoid any product containing AHA's, BHA's or Retinols. They're goal is to kick start exfoliation, which irritates skin and increases the swelling. I formulated my Argan Eye Balm specifically to soothe the delicate skin around the eye and combat puffiness. Argan oil is a rich, nutrient packed oil that helps moisturize and rejuvenate delicate skin, while a dash of Roman Chamomile essential oil with its gentle anti-inflammatory action and power to calm even the most sensitive skin ensures that delicate skin is soothed and restored.
Depuffing Facial Massage
Use the flat part of your finger, just below your fingertips. Place finger on either side of nose (around sinus area). Gently (and I mean gently, this is your lovely face we're dealing with!!) massage skin in a circular motion, pushing skin slightly upward as you go. Working upwards and outwards (use your cheekbones as a guide; work slightly above them directly on the fleshy parts) along the cheeks and then ending at the outer eye area. Gently sweep back to nose and begin again. Repeat 5 times. This gentle kneading action will help to push built up fluid out of the skin tissue so it will drain (depuff!) faster.
