The Best Eye Bag Cream For Permanent Under-Eye Bags
If you suffer from permanent under-eye bags, a simple eye cream may not be enough. In these cases, there are two options for a more-permanent solution: lower eyelid surgery or a cannula-based under-eye filler.
The GOAT option for puffiness is caffeine, which reduces swelling and dark circles by temporarily constricting blood vessels. This lightweight cream has the ingredient in addition to a mix of collagen-supporting peptides, niacinamide, and skin-barrier-strengthening hyaluronic acid.
1. Caffeine
A natural stimulant of the methylxanthine family, caffeine works as a central nervous system enhancer. It speeds up the messages sent between your brain and body, which helps you stay alert and stave off feelings of tiredness.
Applied topically, caffeine is a vasoconstrictor that shrinks blood vessels to reduce the appearance of under-eye puffiness. In addition, the ingredient also boosts circulation to the area, which promotes healthy skin and diminishes dark circles.
It can be difficult to know how much caffeine is safe to use, as it varies widely between products and brands. However, most skincare experts agree that applying small amounts of caffeine to the face daily is safe.
In fact, applying a cold compress or eye cream containing caffeine to the under-eye area has been shown to minimize puffiness and wrinkles, according to a small 2009 study. This is because the combination of both the cooling and caffeine constricts blood vessels.
While eye bags can be caused by a variety of things, including fluid buildup and drooping fat pads, most often they are due to poor circulation. To combat the issue, try a formula containing caffeine and ingredients like peptides and Albizia Julibrissin bark extract, which improve skin texture by gently exfoliating and tightening skin.
The number-one topical ingredient every expert we spoke to recommended for under-eye bags was caffeine. This lightweight gel from The Ordinary contains a high amount of the stimulant and is infused with green tea extract to soothe and calm the skin. It also contains EGCG, an antioxidant that comes from green tea, and hyaluronic acid, which adds volume to the skin, making it plump and youthful-looking.
For a more targeted treatment, dermatologist Shereene Idriss recommends this roller, which has a cooling tip that functions as a mini-cryo therapy session for the eyes. The formula is also loaded with anti-aging and hydrating ingredients, like vitamin C and jojoba oil, which help depuff and brighten the skin around the eyes.
Puffy eyes are usually a result of fluid buildup and can be diminished by drinking plenty of water, cutting back on salt intake, and sleeping propped up on a couple pillows to prevent fluid from pooling under the skin. If the condition persists, a combination of lifestyle changes and caffeine-containing products may be needed to alleviate the symptoms.
2. Retinol
Retinol is one of the most touted skincare ingredients, and with good reason. It’s a powerful vitamin A derivative that stimulates collagen production, which can help minimize lines and wrinkles, fade dark spots, and brighten dull skin. It also helps reduce the appearance of clogged pores and blackheads.
This serum from The Ordinary contains a major dose of caffeine (a vasoconstrictor that can help depuff and tone) along with peptides, skin-smoothing antioxidants, and Rosa roxburghii oil, an ingredient that helps fade discoloration around the eye area. Its lightweight, gel-like texture absorbs in seconds and is especially hydrating for dry skin types.
Retinol can irritate skin, so it’s best to start with a small dose and work your way up over a few weeks. You may experience peeling and flaking when you first start using it, but these symptoms usually subside with time. It’s also important to use sunscreen when you’re using retinol, as it increases your sun sensitivity.
While retinol is generally safe for most people, it’s not a good idea for anyone who has sun allergies or rosacea. It’s also not recommended for pregnant women, as it can increase the risk of birth defects.
If you’re concerned about retinol causing too much redness or irritation, you can try using it in conjunction with an exfoliator to minimize the impact on your skin. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that works as a chemical exfoliant to improve skin texture and lighten dark spots. It’s also gentler than retinol, so it can be used on sensitive skin types.
You can also opt for a formula with retinol in combination with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which are both great moisturizers. Hyaluronic acid slows the evaporation of water in the skin to keep it plump and hydrated. It also helps reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles by attracting moisture to the skin.
Another option is to use a retinol product that also contains peptides. These are the building blocks of proteins, like collagen and elastin, which are responsible for skin’s youthful appearance. They’re especially effective for mature skin, as they can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and on other parts of the face.
3. Niacinamide
Niacinamide isn’t the newest kid on the skin care block, but it’s a multitasking nutrient that’s worth adding to your routine. Also known as nicotinamide, this form of vitamin B3 has been around for decades and can be found in a variety of cleansers and moisturizers, as well as serums that target specific skincare concerns like dark circles or fine lines and wrinkles.
Studies have shown that niacinamide can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, smooth skin texture and brighten the skin. However, it can take several weeks to see results, so it’s important to keep up with your skincare routine. If you want to speed up the process, combine niacinamide with other brightening ingredients like kojic acid (a byproduct of mushrooms) or licorice extract and apply it on a daily basis.
This lightweight eye cream from The Ordinary contains both niacinamide and caffeine, which together make a great combination for fighting under-eye bags. The caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor, which will help to reduce the appearance of blood vessels that contribute to puffiness and under-eye bags. The addition of niacinamide is also helpful as it helps to strengthen the skin barrier, which will help to keep the skin hydrated and prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming.
Oral niacinamide supplements are often recommended by dermatologists to treat acne and rosacea because they can reduce the inflammation associated with these conditions. Dr. Zampella and Laura Ferris, a professor of Dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh, tell SELF that they occasionally prescribe oral niacinamide to patients who have had non-melanoma skin cancers in the past or are at high risk for developing them.
They’ve also found that it can help to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and melasma, especially when combined with 4% hydroquinone. They advise that you talk to your doctor before you decide to take oral niacinamide supplements and that the dose should not exceed 35 mg per day, as too much can cause liver toxicity.
4. Green Tea
Green tea is rich in anti-oxidants and catechins, which have a positive effect on inflammation. It can also help to tighten sagging skin and reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. This is because it can shrink dilated blood vessels and constrict them, making them less visible.
Black and green tea are both effective for depuffing eye bags because they contain caffeine, which can narrow the blood vessels under the eyes to reduce puffiness. They are also both rich in tannins, which can help to make the skin more taut and reduce wrinkles. You can also use other types of tea, such as rooibos and chamomile tea, to depuff your eyes and relieve the swelling caused by allergies or a cold.
A few soaked green tea bags can also provide relief for dry eyes. It is thought that they can help to release oils from the glands under the eyes and improve the quality of tears, which can then reduce symptoms of dry eyes such as itching, watering or burning. It is worth noting that this is only a temporary fix and long term use may cause skin irritation.
Putting a couple of chilled green tea bags on your eyes can also help to reduce the appearance of dark circles. It is thought that this is because the anti-oxidants in the tea can constrict the blood vessels under the eyes, making them less visible.
This is a great way to get rid of under-eye bags, especially for those who don’t have time to use a cream with more active ingredients. However, if you have more serious dark circles you may need to opt for a more permanent solution such as a cannula eye lift or lower eyelid surgery.
This moisture-rich cream from Glow Recipe contains tightening peptides to encourage the production of collagen and elastin, hydrating squalane and barrier-repairing niacinamide, to make skin around the eyes look healthier. It also contains vitamin C, which helps to brighten and lighten the appearance of dark spots.
