Got Puffy Eyes In The Morning? 11 Causes + Derm-Backed Treatments

If you consistently wake up with puffy eyes, take a peek at the most common causes below—after all, you can't expect to treat the swelling without getting to the root of the issue (but don't worry; we outline some quick fixes as well): 

You see, sleep is a time for your body to clear out everyday waste; when you don't get enough sleep, your body can't clear out that debris, and those toxins can start to build up—in addition to other health concerns, this buildup can lead to puffiness. 

Lying flat can also cause puffy eyes, he says, thanks to gravity. "You may want to prop up your body with extra pillows so your head is tilted up a bit to help reduce puffiness," he adds. That way, gravity pulls the fluid downward, away from the eye area. 

If you're an individual who menstruates, you might notice some puffiness right around the time of your cycle. "During the early pre-menstruation phase when progesterone levels are high, the body will retain extra fluid, and this will be seen as puffiness of the face, especially around the eyes," notes Mikailov. 

Not to mention, constantly rubbing at your delicate eye area can cause even more irritation, which only exacerbates the puffiness. 

When your body lacks hydration, it may have a hard time getting rid of fluids since it wants to hold on to the precious water it does have. Over time, the excess fluid accumulates, which can lead to puffiness (this is known as fluid retention). 

And again, hastily wiping those tears away can irritate the orbs and make them puffy. Board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD, agrees: "Crying can lead to puffiness as a result of swelling and inflammation," she notes. 

That's not to say you can't ever indulge in a cocktail or two—if you do wake up with puffy eyes after drinking, just know that it's a direct result of alcohol consumption and shouldn't last forever. 

In general, high sodium intake dehydrates your skin and causes the body to retain more water, "and this change will become most obvious around the eyes and the face," says Mikailov. That's why experts recommend cutting back on salty foods if the puffiness bothers you. And as board-certified dermatologist Apple Bodemer, M.D. reminds us, "processed foods are often deceptively high in sodium so you might be getting a lot more then you think!"

Alas, sometimes puffy eyes are simply a natural part of aging. As your skin naturally loses collagen and elastin, the fat pads around your eyes lose their structure and start to droop—that's why some complain of puffy eye bags as they get older. Mikailov seconds the notion: "The skin around your eyes becomes thinner and loses structural support as you age, so the puffiness may be more prominent," he adds. 

If your puffiness becomes severe or lasts a while, it may be time to see a doctor. "More serious health conditions, like thyroid conditions, can lead to constant puffiness," says Mikailov, so keep a close eye on the swelling and track how long it takes to subside. If you have any lingering concerns, you might as well give your doctor a ring. 

Some people are genetically predisposed to puffy eye bags—simple as that. If you're born with them, you likely know there isn't much you can do to change them, save for in-office procedures. However, you can take preventive measures so your bags don't worsen with age.

Hoping to dial down the swelling, stat? See here for some quick fixes:

If you don't have either of those tools, as Gandhi noted, a cold spoon works just as well, too. Feel free to get creative! 

"It's easy to do," she says. "Using a gentle but firm pressure, mimic a 'J' motion across your face." She also likes to gently pinch the tops and bottoms of her eyebrows while sweeping to further increase circulation. 

The cherry on top? "For added cooling and de-puffing, I always leave my under-eye masks in the fridge!" says board-certified dermatologist Kim Nichols, M.D., founder of NicholsMD of Greenwich. Celebrity esthetician Shani Darden seconds the advice: "I always keep a few in the refrigerator for whenever I feel like my eyes are looking puffy and tired," she says. "The coolness of the mask helps to instantly de-puff the under-eye area.

No under-eye patches? No problem: Plenty of kitchen ingredients make a fabulous impromptu eye mask. Below, find some tried-and-true remedies for puffiness: 

Of course, "Keeping the under-eye area hydrated is essential for helping your eyes to look their best overall," adds Darden. So make sure your cream is chock-full of moisturizing players. These picks will have you looking refreshed in no time. 

Especially if your puffiness seems genetic or due to natural skin aging, the in-office route might be an option to consider. As board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., once told us about genetic bags: "The only way to get rid of them is to remove the pads surgically." 

While some elements of puffiness are simply genetic, there are measures you can take to prevent the swelling altogether or keep it from getting worse over time. Here, find more long-term tips: 

But as integrative medicine physician Dana Cohen, M.D., notes on the mindbodygreen podcast, "The only way to know is to live in your body and know what it feels like." So if you routinely wake up with puffy under-eyes, you might want to try increasing your intake. 

"If we don't wear sunscreen around our eyes, we leave the skin susceptible to UV damage, which can contribute to weakening of the skin and loss of collagen, which can contribute to baggy eyes," says Garshick. "Wearing sun protection and sunglasses to protect the skin around the eyes helps to prevent collagen loss and, therefore, may help to prevent lower eye bags."

What you consume can totally show up on your skin, and in the case of puffy eyes, a salt-heavy diet or too much alcohol can exacerbate swelling. Everyone's bodies are different, but if you find sodium or alcohol to be a big trigger for you, you might want to think about cutting back. 

We know getting enough sleep is way easier said than done, but experts recommend minimizing your screen time, avoiding late-afternoon caffeine, and curating a calming wind-down routine to ensure solid rest. Find our full list of expert-backed sleep tips here, and if you need an extra nudge into dreamland, see here for our favorite natural sleep aids.

For those prone to allergies, you might want to speak with your doctor to learn about your options for managing symptoms. You can find some doctor-approved allergy-relieving tips here, but everyone's triggers are different, so we do recommend speaking with someone who knows your health history. 

Now, puffiness and dark circles tend to go hand in hand—if it's the latter you're dealing with, you'll want to check out these slightly tweaked care tips.