Puffy eyes aren’t a good look. People either think you’ve just come off a wild night. Or, that you’ve spent the evening in tears. But usually – and luckily – neither are the actual reasons for puffy eyes. Instead, there are three other causes for puffed up eyes. And there’s something you can do for each one.

Relaxed eyelid skin

For some, puffy eyes is a genetic issue. It’s caused by relaxed eyelid skin, according to dermatologist, S. Manjula Jegasothy, MD. If this is the reason for puffy eyes, an easy and long term solution is to apply high quality eye creams to boost collagen growth. 

Otherwise, professional treatments like laser or skin tightening are viable options, too. 

Gravity 

If you have puffy eyes in the morning, the problem could be below the skin of the eyelid, where there isn’t enough lymphatic drainage. Therefore, water retention builds up in the head while you’re sleeping. And this can lead to puffy eyes. 

The simple fix? Avoid drinking lots of fluid before bed. What’s more, propping your head up at night can encourage fluid to come away from the eye area.

Salty foods

Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, also blames salty food as a probable cause for puffy eyes. That’s because they can cause water retention in the face. So, if salty dishes and snacks are favorite foods for you, consider avoiding them in the evening hours. This can reduce puffiness and leave you with fresher skin upon waking.