Every sunrise when you wake and look at your tired, puffy eyes in the mirror, you may feel sad. Is it a good way to start your day? Absolutely no, so if the puffy eyes are dragging your spirit down, you can banish them with these useful easy to prepare facial masks.
Causes
As you age your eye tissues, including some of the muscles supporting your eyelids, weaken. The natural fat that helps support your eyes moves into your lower eyelids causing the lids to appear puffy. Fluid also gets accumulated in the space below your eyes adding to the swelling.
Bags under eyes may include mild swelling, saggy or loose skin and dark circles. They are usually harmless, and they don’t need any medical care. But you may not like the look of it. The usual causes for puffiness of eyes include
- Poor sleep
- Allergies or dermatitis mainly if redness and itching accompany your puffiness.
- Heredity
- Fluid retention due to changes in the weather, eating salty foods or hormone levels.
- Stress
- Crying for longer periods of time
Lymph Fluid
To be healthy, waters within your body that are the lymph fluid must be flowing continuously like rivers, inside your lymph vessels. The continuous water movement optimizes the renewal of the lymph fluid.
Moving lymph prevents body decay and fluid stagnancy. It enhances the better metabolic exchange of liquids between cells and capillaries. It cleanses, nourishes and protects your body’s cells. As a result, you will enjoy vibrant health and beauty.
Puffy Eyes and Edema
If the rivers within you-the lymph fluids are not continuously moving, then it leads to edema. Your puffy and baggy eyes may be the first clue. Edema slows down the metabolic exchange of liquids. Slowly but consistently the toxins are retained in your tissues, and the lymph rich protein content begins to harden.
Hardening of the tissue or fibrosis can occur six months after edema starts. Fibrotic tissues get advanced to tissue calcification. Calcified tissues do not have circulation. So, it becomes essential to prevent those puffy eyes. Puffy eyes indicate fluid stagnation in the body and future problems.
General tips to reduce puffiness of eyes:
- Breathe slowly and deeply for at least 10 minutes a day
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Reduce salt intake
- Drink plenty of water
- Get enough sleep
- Sleep with few pillows under your head to prevent fluid setting around your eyes
- Get treated for your allergies
- Eat more potassium
Under-Eye Masks
Essential Oils Under-Eye Mask
You will need:
- Half ounce Rosehip seed oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- ½ ounce pure aloe vera gel
- 4 drops lemon essential oil
Directions:
In a glass spray bottle combine all the above-said ingredients. Before going to bed, cleanse your face and remove all the makeup. Close your eyes and spray the solution onto your face. Gently massage the solution around and under your eyes. Allow it to dry. Sleep with your head supported by pillows.
Benefits:
Lemon oil is rich in antioxidants and relieves stress.
Lavender oil has a soothing and calming effect on the nerves and skin under your eyes.
Rosehip oil protects your skin and increases cell turnover. It is rich in vitamins C, D and E and beta carotene. Rosehip oil is rich in essential fatty acids which convert to prostaglandins and are involved in cellular membrane and tissue regeneration.
Cucumber Milk Face Mask
You’ll need:
- One small cucumber
- One tablespoon milk
Directions:
Blend the cucumber and the milk in a blender to form a thick paste. For extra puffy eye relief chill the mask in the fridge for about 15 minutes. Apply the mask onto your face, taking care to give a gentle massage under your eyes. Just take rest for 30 minutes and wash off the mask with lukewarm water.
Benefits:
Cucumbers contain antioxidants and flavonoids that help to reduce redness, swelling and irritation. A combination of caffeic acid and vitamin C helps soothe your skin and reduce puffiness.
Milk produces a cooling effect to your eyes which reduce stress levels. The lauric acid and nutrients present in milk calm your swollen eyes. The astringent properties reduce puffiness and brighten skin. Milk reduces the water retention around the eyes.
Potato and Egg White Face Mask
You will need:
- One small potato
- One egg white
Method:
Separate the egg white from the yolk. Clean and peel the potato. Blend the potato and egg white to a thick paste in the blender. Place the potato poultice in layers of cheesecloth and keep it over your eyes. Leave it for 20-30 minutes, remove the cheesecloth from your eyes and wash with lukewarm water.
Benefits:
The catecholase present in potatoes reduces water retention under your eyes. The combination of coldness and starch of potatoes develop an anti-inflammatory effect that helps to reduce the swelling. The astringent properties of potatoes tighten your skin. The antioxidant and nutrients present in it keep your skin smooth.
Egg whites enhance blood circulation which in turn minimizes the puffiness under your eyes. It has astringent properties which tighten the pores of your undereye skin.
Green Tea and Aloe Gel Face Mask
You need:
- ½ cup green tea
- ½ cup aloe vera gel
Directions:
Boil ½ cup water and let the green tea steep in the water for 10 minutes. Mix the aloe gel and the green tea to the consistency of a paste. Give a gentle massage while using on the under-eye area. Store the remaining mixture in a container and refrigerate for up to three days.
Benefits:
Green tea reduces swelling and tightens the skin around your eyes. It contains caffeine that constricts tiny blood vessels, around your eyes. Caffeinated tea contains tannins that stimulate blood circulation. The astringent nature of the tannins constricts the blood vessels and capillaries under your eyes.
Aloe gel contains 18 essential amino acids and has several antifungals, antibacterial, and other healing properties. The antioxidants present in aloe reduces the puffiness around your eyes. Aloe vera moistures and hydrates the delicate skin under your eyes. Because of its humectant properties, aloe makes your skin soft and supple. It fights free radicals ad flushes out accumulated toxins around your eyes.
Ground Coffee Face Mask
You will need:
- ½ tsp ground coffee beans
- One teaspoon coconut oil
- A pinch of black pepper powder
- Cotton or face wipe
Directions:
Mix all the ingredients and carefully apply under your eyes. Be extra careful not to get any of the ingredients into your eyes. Leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes. Gently wipe away with wet cotton or face wipe.
Benefits:
Coffee beans tighten the skin under your eyes because of the presence of caffeine that possesses anti-inflammatory properties. The Caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor which deflates blood vessels and reduces swelling, redness, and puffiness.
The coffee bean is also a diuretic which draws water from your skin to shrink cell size for a tightened appearance. The antioxidants present in coffee fights free radicals and tightens skin by reducing fine lines and bagginess.
The black pepper powder enhances blood circulation and makes your under eyes cells healthier.
Coconut Oil and Carrot Face Mask
You will need:
- Two tsp Extra virgin coconut oil
- 1 carrot
Directions:
Roughly chop the carrots into five chunks. Boil the carrot for 5 minutes and put it in a food processor or blender, Blend the carrot and coconut oil to form a thick paste. Apply the mixture to your under-eye area gently with circular motions. Leave the mask for ten to 15 minutes and wash it off in lukewarm water. Repeat this once a day.
Benefits:
Coconut oil moisturizes the skin around your eyes and prevents dryness and wrinkling. The vitamin E and antioxidants heal and repair the damaged skin cells. Lauric acid and other components present in coconut oil possess anti-inflammatory properties, so it reduces redness and swelling. The lauric acid in coconut oil tightens pores to make your skin smooth and firm.
Carrots are full of beta-carotene and iron. They provide nourishment to your delicate under-eye skin and strengthens the eye muscles thus preventing puffiness. Carrots help to tone and clarify your skin.
Strawberries Rosewater Face Mask
You need:
- Three tsp homemade rose water
- 2-3 strawberries
Directions:
Simmer a handful of rose petals in just enough distilled water. When the petals have lost their color, strain the liquid and allow it to cool. Pour into a jar or bottle.
Add strawberries and rosewater to the blender. Blend to make a fine paste. Keep it in the fridge for 15 minutes. Apply the mask onto your face. Leave it for 30 minutes and wash in fresh water.
Benefits:
Rosewater contains vitamins C and A as well as flavonoids. It is a natural astringent with anti-inflammatory properties. Rosewater is incredibly refreshing and rejuvenating. It keeps fine lines and wrinkles at bay.
Strawberries are rich in polysaccharides that have anti-inflammatory properties. The alpha hydroxy acids in these berries reduce swelling and dark circles while smoothening out your skin. Strawberries contain antioxidants that make your skin looks years younger and beautiful.
Banana and Lemon Juice Face Mask
You’ll need:
- 1 banana
- One tsp lemon juice
Directions:
Mash the banana. Squeeze the lemon juice. Mix the mashed banana and lemon juice to make a fine paste. Apply to your face and give a gentle massage to your eye bags. Let it sit for 15 minutes and wipe off the mask with warm wash cloth.
Benefits:
Bananas contain many beneficial vitamins including vitamin C, manganese, biotin, potassium and copper. Bananas are high in potassium, which is excellent for your lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is what helps skin clear itself, and it provides nutrients to every cell in the body. The puffy eye is a clue that your lymphatic fluid is getting sluggish. Applying banana face pack boosts your lymphatic health and thus reduces puffiness of eyes.
Lemon juice: vitamin C from lemon juice helps to remove all the toxins that cause puffy eyes. Lemon juice contains skin lightening properties that reduce dark circles. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce puffiness.
Turmeric and Oatmeal Face Mask
You need:
- One tablespoon oatmeal
- ½ tsp turmeric
- Two tablespoon pineapple juice
Directions:
Blend the oatmeal, turmeric and pineapple juice in a blender to a fine paste. Apply the paste to your eye area gently. Leave the paste to dry for 20 minutes. Remove with a soft damp cloth. Massage your undereye area with a moisturizer after this treatment.
Benefits:
Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory chemicals and antioxidants. This spice banishes dark circles and hydrates the delicate skin under your eyes.
Oatmeal detoxifies and firms your skin. It has a very drying effect on the skin and will draw out puffiness.
Pineapple juice is a storehouse of vitamin C, antioxidants and bromelain. These nutrients are extremely useful in treating fine lines, acne, the sun damaged and uneven skin tone. Bromelain softens your skin and fights skin inflammation and puffiness.
Witch Hazel and French Clay Mask
You need:
- One tablespoon French green clay
- Two teaspoon witch hazel extract
- One tablespoon aloe vera
Directions:
Mix the green clay, witch hazel extract, and aloe vera to form a thick paste. Dab it onto your face and gently apply it under your eyes with a slight massage. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash your face in the lukewarm water. This face pack is good for oily skin.
Benefits:
The clay is rich in silica, calcium, iron, and magnesium. It absorbs excess fluid from your face. Witch hazel has astringent properties that cause constriction of body tissues. It removes excess moisture from your skin and shrinks down pores. Aloe vera is an excellent moisturizer. It rejuvenates your skin and has antimicrobial properties.
Conclusion
Though puffiness of eyes is harmless, you should be careful if the swelling is severe and persistent, affects other parts of your body such as the legs and is accompanied by redness, itching or pain. In this case, it’s better to see your doctor.
A quick way to reduce puffiness of your eyes is to use a cool compress. Dip a washcloth in water, and place it over your eyes for 1o minutes. If you’re not a fan of cold water try putting a spoon in the refrigerator, take it out in the morning and place it over your eyes. It is as effective as cold water.
You can also try the face masks we’ve discussed above; these masks not only reduce your eye bags but also enhances your facial beauty.
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