Skincare — Eye area
Puffy eyes: causes and quick fixes.
Woke up with puffy eyes? Here is why under-eye swelling happens, what calms it fast, and how to stop it coming back.
5 minute read
Written and reviewed by Beauty World Editorial · Last reviewed October 2026
Causes
Why do I have puffy eyes?
Fluid retention
Salty food, alcohol and lying flat overnight let fluid collect under the eyes.
Poor sleep
Too little sleep makes swelling and shadows worse.
Allergies
Hay fever and dust allergies cause itchy, swollen eyelids.
Ageing
Fat pads under the eyes shift with age, creating permanent bags.
Quick fixes
How to get rid of puffy eyes fast
1. Cold compress
A chilled spoon, cold flannel or fridge-cool eye patches for 5–10 minutes.
2. Caffeine eye cream
Caffeine briefly tightens blood vessels and reduces puffiness.
3. Gentle massage
Tap or roll outwards towards the temples to move fluid.
4. Antihistamine
If allergies are behind it, a pharmacy antihistamine helps.
Prevention
How to stop puffy eyes
Sleep slightly propped up
An extra pillow stops fluid pooling.
Cut salt and alcohol at night
Both make you retain water.
Remove makeup
Leftover eye makeup irritates the area.
Drink water
Staying hydrated reduces fluid retention.
Help
When to see a GP
See a GP if puffiness affects one eye only, is painful, red, comes with vision changes, or doesn't go away. For permanent eye bags, a dermatologist can discuss fillers or surgery.
