Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on June 24, 2022
Try a washcloth soaked in warm water on your tired, achy eyes. Warm compresses can:
Wash your hands before you start so bacteria doesn’t get in your eyes. Dip your washcloth in water that you've boiled (to sterilize it) and cooled until lukewarm. Then put it on your eyes for 5-10 minutes, or as long as your doctor advises.
Different tasks call for different types of light. While you watch TV, it's easier on your eyes to keep the room softly lit. When you read, put the light where it's behind you and pointed toward the page, out of your eyes. On digital screens, adjust the brightness to match the level of light around you. Also, adjust the screen's contrast, so your eyes don't have to strain to see.
With these prescription eyeglasses, your eyes can focus at computer screen distance. That's about 20-26 inches from your face. Some have special lenses to help you quickly shift focus between close, middle, and far distances. Before you go shopping, understand that computer glasses are not the same as those that block blue light. Blue light-blocking specs may make you more comfortable, but they don't always prevent eyestrain.
Eye experts link this technique to an alternative therapy called The Bates Method, named for eye doctor William Bates. He questioned whether glasses were the only way to fix a person's vision. Research shows his method doesn't correct eyesight, but palming could help to ease eyestrain. Cup your palms over your closed eyes, putting no pressure on your eyeballs. The idea is that this can help to relax your eyes.
Small tweaks can make a big difference to your eyes. Make sure your screen is about arm's length (20-26 inches) away from your face. The center of the screen should be slightly below eye level (4-5 inches). It helps to have a chair you can move up and down.
Adjust the text size so you don't squint. And try a document holder next to your monitor for printed papers. This limits how much you move your eyes back and forth.
Tea bags are good for more than a hot drink. They also work as a relaxing cold compress for your eyes. After you've brewed chamomile or regular tea, put the bags in a clean container in the fridge. Once they've cooled, put them on your eyelids to help soothe your eyes and reduce swelling. Make sure you've washed your face and hands well and taken out your contacts. And don't get any tea in your eyes.
Your eyes have muscles, and they can benefit from a workout, too. Try this: Hold your finger a few inches from your eyes and focus on it. Then, focus far into the distance, then back on your finger. Repeat a few times. Or, close your eyes, roll them up toward the ceiling, then down toward the floor. Look to the right, then left. These exercises may help ease eye fatigue. But they won't actually make your eye muscles stronger.
Experts say that when you use a digital device, you should take regular screen breaks. They recommend the 20-20-20 rule. Take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes. Another tip: for every 2 hours of screen time, rest your eyes for 15 minutes.
When your eyes are dry, they feel more tired. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air and your eyes. A humidity level of at least 45% is best. Also, adjust your thermostat or move away from vents so dry air doesn't blow on your face. If you smoke, think hard about quitting.
Over-the-counter or prescription eye drops relieve dry, tired eyes. Use them even when your eyes feel fine to keep them moisturized and stop your symptoms from coming back. Or, if you prefer to make natural tears, remember to blink more often, especially when you're on a digital device. We usually blink 15 times in a minute. But when we're on a computer, that drops to 5-7 times.
IMAGES PROVIDED BY:
1) WebMD / Alexander Hadjidakis
2) Getty
3) Getty
4) Getty
5) Getty
6) Getty
7) Getty
8) Getty
9) Getty
10) Getty
SOURCES:
UCLA Health: "Computer-Related Eye Fatigue.
"
Mayo Clinic: "Mayo Clinic Q and A: Relief for your dry eyes," "Eyestrain," "A look inside your eyes."
University of Rochester Medical Center: "Ice Packs vs. Warm Compresses For Pain."
University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center: "Eyelid Spasms (Eye Twitching or Eye Twitch)."
All Wales Medicine Study Group: "Dry Eyes Syndrome."
Optometry and Vision Science: "Blue-blocking Filters and Digital Eyestrain."
Journal of Physical Therapy Science: "Effects of yogic eye exercises on eye fatigue in undergraduate nursing students."
Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics: The Journal of the College of Optometrists: "The Bates method, elixirs, potions and other cures for myopia: how do they work?"
Bates Method International: "Palming."
Molecular Medicine Reports: "Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future."
Johns Hopkins Medicine: "How to Get Rid of Bags Under Your Eyes."
Harvard Medical School: "Most cases of pink eye (conjunctivitis) don’t require antibiotics.
"
National Institutes of Health: "Exercises and Stretches."
University of Rochester Medical Center: "Don't Ignore Dry Eyes."
Prevent Blindness: "Computers and Your Sight."
American Academy of Ophthalmology: "Computers, Digital Devices and Eye Strain."
American Optometric Association: "Computer Vision Syndrome."
© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. View privacy policy and trust info
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Was this helpful?
It doesn’t take much. A later than usual night out, a high pollen count, or an episode of “This Is Us” can produce that raccoon eye look or bags under your peepers.
You can certainly embrace the bags And as you follow our guide, you’ll discover some people are just naturally predisposed to this look. Word on the street: A little shadow and swell is the new sexy.
But if you do have a reason to brighten up your skin and reduce puffiness, we have some remedies for you.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on a skin care regimen to erase rings or pouches. You can find remedies in your pantry, refrigerator, and right at your fingertips.
For dark circles, the caffeine in black or green tea may help narrow blood vessels and reduce blue coloring. These caffeinated teas can also banish bloat by drawing out fluid.
But if you’re going for a more soothing effect for irritated skin, opt for rooibos (red tea) or chamomile.
Instructions:
Your cold brew might give you a refreshing jolt, but a caffeine fix for the skin can also help calm blotchiness or swelling.
Start by freezing some brewed coffee in an ice cube tray. Once the coffee ice is ready, spend a few minutes gently rubbing an ice cube:
You can also try 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. This product earns 4.5 stars from reviewers who say it can help treat crow’s feet and keep eyes moisturized.
Cucumbers are high in vitamin C and folic acid, an ingredient combo that helps stimulate cell growth and counter environmental stress. The end result? Less irritation and puffiness, as well as reduced discoloration under your eyes.
Instructions:
You can also try Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel. Reviews suggest this gel may be a bit harsh for folks with sensitive skin, but they also note it works more effectively than pricier creams.
By tapping your index and middle fingers in a gentle circle around your sockets and across your brows and cheekbones, you can enhance lymph drainage. This may help even out skin tone and reduce inflammation.
Instructions:
Do you need to spend a lot of cash on a fancy balm? For dark circles, the short answer is no.
You could, however, try more budget-friendly moisturizing salves with tea, coffee, or cucumber extract — some products might also help minimize the appearance of fine lines and creases.
One option to consider? SheaMoisture Matcha Green Tea & Probiotics Soothing Eye Cream.
Ingredients for your eyesBe sure to read labels carefully before picking up pricey jars. We asked Dr. Rebecca Marcus, a board certified dermatologist in North Dallas, TX, about her favorite ingredients for eyes.
She recommends keeping an “eye” out for the following:
- Caffeine. The benefits of caffeine are worth repeating. Caffeine, as Marcus explains, works in eye creams to combat dark circles and puffiness by temporarily reducing blood flow to the area.
- Retinol and peptides. You might already have some familiarity with these skin care ingredients. Marcus says they help stimulate collagen and thicken the skin, making underlying blood vessels less noticeable and restoring skin firmness.
- Niacinamide. A little of this skin-brightening ingredient can go a long way toward waking up tired eyes. This ingredient, a form of vitamin B-3, offers plenty of other benefits, too.
- Hyaluronic acid. Marcus notes that this moisturizing ingredient can hydrate the skin and offer pro-aging support by smoothing the look of fine lines and crepey skin.
- Vitamin K. Marcus says this antioxidant has anti-inflammatory properties and may help improve circulation.
As for products, Marcus recommends:
Explore more eye creams at varying price points here.
Under-eye patches are a newer trend for pampering the skin around your eyes. Yes, they’re cute and Instagram-friendly, but many people also find them effective, too.
Just know they offer more of a quick fix — a helping hand after a spirited night out, if you will.
Not sure how to pick your patch? Opt for eye-friendly ingredients, like retinol and hyaluronic acid. You can also check out our list of the best options to send your bags packing.
Marcus explains that concealers only help camouflage dark circles. In other words, they won’t help reduce puffiness.
That’s why she recommends using an eye cream with a concealer: Apply an eye cream to help treat the cause and the symptoms, then use concealer to address any lingering darkness.
“Concealer will apply more smoothly onto hydrated skin,” she notes. “So, applying a hydrating eye cream helps prime the skin for concealer application.
”
When you’re in a pinch, concealer alone can still make a difference. So, when that important meeting or event sneaks up on you, reach for a little color-correcting concealer.
Try:
The biggest answer to this, especially for those of you who have tried every trick in the book, is genetics.
If you’ve always had sunken eyes or dark circles, also called periorbital hyperpigmentation, the condition could be a part of your genetics. Likewise, permanent under-eye pouches may be a facial feature you’ve inherited.
Here’s why these attributes get accentuated.
Puffy lower lids or bags happen when the tissue there fills with water. As you age, the fatty tissue held within the socket and upper lid can fall, causing even more fluid retention in that area.
Puffiness is often most prominent when taking the morning’s first look in the mirror.
That’s because fluid had a chance to pool during sleep. Bags tend to diminish after you’ve been vertical for a bit.
Although dark circles can show up for many reasons, most people tend to have a slightly deeper coloring around the eyes, simply because the thinner skin there stretches over a conglomeration of purple vessels and muscle.
Was this helpful?
By isolating the cause, you can take measures to reduce the prominence of purpling and pooching.
Share on Pinterest
Cut that late-night Netflix binge short, or do whatever possible to get a few more Zzz’s. If you still notice the a.
m. eye bloat or blue coloring, prop your head slightly while you sleep.
As Marcus explains, sleeping with your head slightly elevated can help prevent fluid from pooling in the periorbital area.
Remove any makeup before hitting the hay to avoid smudging it into your eyes and irritating the surrounding skin.
Marcus suggests applying a cold washcloth to your eyes to help lessen the “I just woke up” look.
She says this helps by causing vasoconstriction (constriction of blood vessels), which helps relieve puffiness and skin discoloration. Plus, it can have an overall soothing effect, and you don’t have to dig through your fridge for fresh cucumbers.
Pro tip: An ice pack works well, too, if you don’t want a water mess on your face. Just be sure to wrap it in a soft cloth to protect your eyes.
Eye strain can contribute to tired eyes, according to Marcus, by lowering the production of naturally lubricating tears and contributing to dry eyes.
“Taking periodic breaks from screen time and doing eye exercises may help reduce eye strain and therefore help eyes to function normally by producing lubricating tears, reducing dryness, redness, and bloodshot eyes,” she says.
Eye exercise can be pretty simple. In fact, one exercise involves just switching up your focus as you sit. Learn a few of these simple moves here.
Face yoga (yes, it’s a thing) can also help reduce eye strain.
Taking breaks from screen time to avoid eye strain can also be helpful, according to Marcus.
She adds that keeping your phone or tablet on night mode decreases exposure to blue light, which can help improve the quality of your sleep.
If night mode doesn’t do much to keep your tablet or device from shining bright like a diamond, blue light glasses may ease the strain.
Not sure which to try? Check out our guide of the 11 best options.
Excessive time staring at screens may cause eye strain, according to Marcus.
This happens, in part, due to engorgement of the blood vessels surrounding your eyes, which can lead to, as you might have guessed, dark circles.
Make time for little breaks to give your eyes a much-needed vacay:
Allergy symptoms, along with illnesses like the flu and common cold, can pack a punch. Itchy lids, sneezing, sinus congestion, or postnasal drip can all lead to a tint around the eyes.
Marcus says those who live with allergies may notice the area under their eyes often appears swollen and discolored.
She explains that this happens when allergens prompt your cells to trigger a histamine release. This, in turn, causes a release of fluid, giving that swelling and tearing effect you know and love so much.
An allergist or otolaryngologist (ENT) can offer more insight into possible triggers and recommend treatments to keep sniffles and scratchy eyes under control, including:
Plus, when you’re plain old sick, eyes can also look puffy, due to sinus congestion and decreased drainage of the fluid around the eyes.
Keep in mind that makeup and skin care products could also trigger allergy flare-ups or eyelid dermatitis. It’s always best to check the ingredients and do a patch test before using a new product.
Marcus says improving air quality may lower the number of allergens or irritants that eyes come into contact with, helping eyes look less tired.
“If tired eyes are due to an irritant or allergen that was previously in the air, using a high quality air filter may be helpful,” Marcus says.
This may prove particularly helpful if you’re sensitive to these factors and happen to live in an area with a high level of pollution or airborne allergens.
If you notice an uptick in that Hamburglar or puff-pastry look, maybe you’ve just faced a stressful week or a jam-packed weekend that impeded your sleep or nutrition.
Other reasons you might wake up with less than perky peepers? Loading up on salty snacks, downing too much coffee, or clinking a late-night cocktail.
Making a few changes might help rid you of the rings and bags:
Share on Pinterest
A quick recap of helpful tips and tricks for tired eyes:
If you have permanent dark sockets or puffy bags under your eyes that you can’t relieve with lifestyle changes or fast fixes, medical solutions might offer an alternate option.
Procedures for dark circles include:
If circles or bags bother you to the point that you can’t stop thinking about them or they contribute to feelings of depression or anxiety, it could be worth asking a dermatologist about other treatment options.
Just know these procedures can get fairly expensive, and they also come with some potential side effects.
One important thing to keep in mind about eye bags and rings? More than likely, you notice them more than anyone else.
Many people tend to look at themselves closely in the mirror in the morning — when they wash their face, shave, or apply products, for example. And morning just happens to be the time when circles and puff show up most clearly.
But classmates, coworkers, and the person in line next to you at the coffee shop probably won’t even notice.
They might, however, perceive a certain mysteriousness or depth they can’t quite put their finger on. Some people find that shadowed, “just woke up” look pretty alluring — so alluring, in fact, that they might go to great lengths to make dark circles stand out or mimic them with makeup.
Plus, a dark circle or an under-eye bag can amp up your authenticity, just like an eye crinkle or wrinkle. They’re natural, after all.
Adding some glimmer can help you display them with pride:
Ultimately, don’t be afraid to skip the concealer and rock your under-eyes.
Jennifer Chesak is a Nashville-based freelance book editor and writing instructor.
She’s also an adventure travel, fitness, and health writer for several national publications. She earned her Master of Science in journalism from Northwestern’s Medill and is working on her first fiction novel, set in her native state of North Dakota.
Small wrinkles around the eyes make the eyes look tired and give away their real age. But do not worry: modern cosmetics are capable of much. Black Pearl brand experts will tell you how to get rid of wrinkles around the eyes and ensure effective prevention of such a problem.
Small wrinkles on the skin around the eyes are divided into 2 types. Mimic wrinkles are associated with active contraction of the facial muscles throughout the day. They look like thin, almost imperceptible lines that gradually deepen and turn into creases and folds. Crow's feet is one of the most common expression lines.
Due to active facial expressions (smiles, squinting, etc.), they become more visible throughout the day, so in the evening the skin in this area may look much older than in the morning.
Age lines are considered to be the result of natural skin aging. Depending on the degree of severity, superficial and deep wrinkles are distinguished. The irreversible process of their appearance is due to the fact that after 25 years, the production of natural elastin and collagen in our skin gradually slows down, the content of hyaluronic acid decreases. Age wrinkles are clearly visible in a calm state and do not change throughout the day. It is worth remembering that it is easier to remove small age wrinkles around the eyes at the beginning of their appearance than to try to correct already deep changes.
The first wrinkles on the eyelids may appear at different ages, this process depends on the following reasons:
Due to the minimal number of sebaceous glands, it often suffers from dryness and sensitivity, and it undergoes age-related changes earlier. 
With rapid weight loss, the skin does not have time to adapt and may begin to sag. Care for the area around the eyes should be as gentle and comprehensive as possible: special creams and gels will help smooth out wrinkles and improve appearance. Products for active care of the sensitive area should have a balanced composition and a special formula that takes into account the needs of the skin around the eyes. An indisputable advantage is the successful passing of the test under ophthalmological control.
Comprehensive care for this area includes:
After a few seconds, the mascara will dissolve and it can be washed off without any extra effort. Black Pearl Eye Cream Intense Nourishment provides express anti-wrinkle care, it effectively tones the skin, reduces puffiness and dark circles. Due to the weightless texture, the caring cream is quickly absorbed, does not provoke stickiness and oily film. Suitable as a light make-up base.
Eye Cream Intense Nutrition
17 ml Collagen acts as a support frame in the skin.
It determines its density and elasticity. A decrease in its level provokes the formation of the first age-related changes. A special cream for the skin around the eyes provides the skin with a portion of collagen for elasticity and youthfulness, helps to remove fine wrinkles.
A special facial massage at home completes your comprehensive skin care routine. Technique for this procedure:
Important: movements during the massage should be light, without the use of force.
For more relaxation, you can place a warm towel over your closed eyes before starting this procedure.
Comprehensive skin care will provide intensive hydration and nutrition, reduce the severity of wrinkles around the eyes. High-quality cosmetics for this area should be distinguished by a balanced formula that is suitable for thin and demanding skin. A special massage will perfectly complement home care, help maintain youth and attractive appearance.
Wrinkles under the eyes can appear at a young age and immediately add extra years. But we can choose the right care for this important area and delay the appearance of the first signs of aging. Let's start the fight against wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles and crow's feet!
Tags:
beauty
age
Nutrition
Skin care
Cosmetics
Maya Vladimirovna Zhmareva
dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist, trichologist of the Austrian health center Verba Mayr
The face ages unevenly, and wrinkles under the eyes become the first signs of age - they can appear even before the age of 30.
It is best to prevent their appearance, or at least start the fight against treacherous crow's feet before they turn into deep furrows. We tell you how to do it: prevention methods, as well as creams, serums, patches and masks for wrinkles around the eyes.
Due to the structure of the skin around the eyes, the first wrinkles become visible in this area. Deficiency of subcutaneous fat, the absence of sebaceous glands, the fact that the skin in the periorbital zone is very thin are the main reasons for the early appearance of wrinkles. With age, the situation only gets worse: due to the loss of moisture, the skin dries out more and more, and this leads to the formation of wrinkles. Careful care and under-eye masks against wrinkles will help keep the skin hydrated, which means young.
The appearance of wrinkles around the eyes is associated not only with age-related changes, but also with the work of facial muscles. The less the skin is able to return to its original shape, the more clearly mimic wrinkles are visible. One of the first to appear in this area are wrinkles passing from the outer corners of the eyes, the so-called crow's feet. Relaxation of the muscles lying under the "crow's feet" smoothes wrinkles located in the periorbital zone. This is just one of the answers to the question of what to do if wrinkles appear around the eyes.
ADVERTISING - CONTINUED BELOW
Getting rid of wrinkles under the eyes at home can be difficult, which is why it is so important to pay attention to prevention. There are several feasible ways to prevent the appearance of crow's feet around the eyes.
Read also: Swelling under the eyes: causes and best ways to deal with them
Nothing new, but again: drink enough water and make sure that the nutrition is complete and balanced. If your body is dehydrated, wrinkles under the eyes at the age of 40 and even earlier are almost inevitable, remember this. It is advisable to take hydrolyzed collagen, as its synthesis, omega-3 and vitamin D3 decrease with age. Don't forget about vitamins and antioxidants too.
Of course, prevention and dietary changes will take more effort than it would take to stick patches for wrinkles under the eyes, but such preventive measures are always cheaper than treatment.
Skin care products around the eyes are recommended for use from the age of 18-20. When choosing care, be guided by age, and also watch the time of use: a moisturizing and nourishing cream against wrinkles under the eyes or a gel applied just before bedtime will give severe swelling in the morning. It is better to use products with a lymphatic drainage effect at night.
Item 1 of 16
1 / 16
UV filters. The right sunscreen is our everything! If you carefully protect delicate skin from the sun, then wrinkles around the eyes usually form after 40 years and later, and if you neglect protection, they can appear as early as 25.
Ingredients that help effectively remove wrinkles around the eyes: hyaluronic acid, microcollagen, retinol, vitamins A, E, C and argilerine (a peptide that is called a safe alternative to botulinum toxin). Thus, the products of the Spanish brand Casmara with argilerine promise not only to moisturize the skin, but also to gently relieve tension from mimic muscles.
0117 Read also: What happens if you do not use eye cream
The most effective solution to the problem of wrinkles around the eyes is cosmetology. Modern injection and hardware procedures allow you to smooth the skin and tighten it.
In cosmetology, such injections are used to smooth mimic wrinkles and relax the orbicular muscle of the eye. Botulinum toxin causes temporary immobilization of muscle fibers, due to which facial expressions become less active. Therefore, wrinkles are smoothed out completely or become less pronounced. Verba Mayr specialists use such products as Botox, Dysport, Xeomin. In terms of effectiveness, the procedure cannot be compared with any creams and oils for wrinkles around the eyes, and the result will last for several months.
Mesotherapy is an intradermal administration of preparations containing hyaluronic acid, peptides, collagen and other trace elements. For example, the drug MesoEye C71 effectively copes with pastosity and puffiness of the skin, as well as dark circles. It improves turgor and skin tone around the eyes, prepares for blepharoplasty and is used in rehabilitation programs after laser correction. Judging by the reviews, wrinkles under the eyes are smoothed out even before the end of the course, mesotherapy is especially effective for patients under 40 years old.
Microcurrent lymphatic drainage is one of the most pleasant and effective procedures to combat puffiness in the periorbital zone and correct wrinkles. During the procedure, different-frequency low-voltage current pulses gently affect the skin, as a result of which the tone of the facial muscles is restored, blood circulation and, in fact, lymphatic drainage are normalized, and the production of collagen and elastin is also stimulated. If you are looking for not only how to get rid of wrinkles around the eyes, but also how to eliminate puffiness, start with microcurrents.
SMAS lifting with Ultraformer. The principle of operation of the device is the impact of focused ultrasound on the deep layers of the dermis and the connective-muscular structure SMAS, which functions as a kind of frame for the face. As we age, the supporting function of SMAS weakens, causing the facial contour to blur. In the process of exposure to ultrasound on the deep layers of the skin, collagen fibers are compressed and fat cells are reduced - due to which the skin itself also contracts and noticeably tightens. At the moment, it is the safest alternative to a surgical facelift, without risk and recovery period. If you are seriously worried about crow's feet around the eyes, an effective lifting will help to cope with the problem, and at the same time tighten the face and provide it with a younger look.
Read also: How to care for the skin around the eyes: get acquainted, heavy artillery
Is it possible to get rid of wrinkles under the eyes at home? Yes, as long as they are not too deep, you can achieve smoothing of the skin in this area yourself. The sooner you start the fight, the better. In addition, home remedies well complement professional procedures at a beautician, keeping the result for a long time.
Before using any home remedies, it is recommended to consult a beautician. If the doctor gives the go-ahead, you can safely apply any homemade masks for wrinkles around the eyes at home.
Unfortunately, not all the remedies that the owners of wrinkles around the eyes write about on online forums are really effective. For example, the beloved heparin ointment for wrinkles under the eyes will not help - this drug helps with puffiness and circles under the eyes, but it cannot remove age and facial wrinkles.
Methyluracil is considered to be more effective against wrinkles under the eyes - this agent stimulates skin regeneration. However, before using it, you should consult a doctor. Despite the fact that the reviews about this ointment for wrinkles around the eyes are positive, it is not at all a fact that the remedy is right for you.
