It’s an easy guess that many of us are concerned with our appearance — especially our face. 

From wrinkles to acne scars to making sure our skin has a radiant, healthy glow, we have a lot to consider to look our best. And we may be harboring some significant insecurities or frustrations about our puffy under eyes.

The skin around your eye area is thinner than the rest of your face and the first to show if you aren’t getting enough sleep or antioxidants, or wearing enough sunscreen.

Here’s how to get rid of under-eye bags and reduce swelling before it becomes an issue.

What causes bags under the eyes?

Under-eye bags are the pouches beneath your eyelids where you retain fluid or experience dark circles or sagging skin. 

A couple of causes of this puffiness under the eyes include:

• Allergies: Pollens and other irritants can result in a mild allergic reaction that makes you rub your face or cause swelling.

• A bad diet: Very salty foods are one of the causes of bags under the eyes. The high salt content results in fluid retention in your body, leading to swelling.

• Underlying health conditions: Thyroid problems and other chronic health issues can cause inflammation. Seek advice from your family doctor if you’re concerned about the correlation.

• The aging process. This one speaks for itself — and we’ve all experienced it.

Why do under-eye bags form when you get older?

Our bodies produce a protein called collagen, which comprises a vast majority of our skin. You can find it in our hair, connective tissues, nails, and teeth; it’s the most abundant protein in the human body. Collagen gives our skin a smooth, firm look, and when we’re younger, this protein is plentiful. 

As we age, however, collagen production decreases. Then our skin loosens, forming bags under the eyes. It’s a natural part of the aging process, but an unpleasant one, which is why preventive eye creams, skincare products, and moisturizers are crucial. They’ll keep your skin looking firmer for longer.

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How to reduce bags under the eyes

Fortunately, some bags under eye treatments are relatively easy to complete. All you need are a few supplies, some changes to your daily routine, and a personal sense of willpower to see them through.

1. Use the proper allergy medication

Puffy eyes can be a symptom of your allergies acting up, so buy over-the-counter allergy medications to alleviate the constant itching. Antihistamines like Claritin, Nasacort, and Zyrtec all do a good job. 

2. Drink water

In your ongoing quest to discover how to get rid of dark circles , you don’t want to veer too far in the opposite direction and retain no water at all. Dehydration makes eye bags look worse because it highlights how adverse conditions can affect the quality of your skin. 

To combat this, make sure you have water by your side at all times. Drink the recommended amount of fluids per day for your age group. 

3. Fix your diet

One of the number one ways to learn how to prevent under-eye bags is to change what you eat.

Cut back on alcohol consumption as much as possible because drinking beer or wine can cause fluid retention. Luckily, caffeine is a vasoconstrictor and has the opposite effect: when we consume it, our blood vessels constrict, potentially reducing puffiness in the face. 

Additional ways of improving your diet include decreasing your intake of salty foods while increasing your consumption of foods that promote collagen production, like eggs, milk, and beans. 

4. Make sure you use the suitable skin creams and tools

Sometimes, under-eye bags result from a mild allergic reaction to certain skin creams. Pay attention to how your skin reacts to new products, and if you react, stop using them immediately. A dermatologist can help you find the right product if you’re struggling. 

Other times, skin products can hydrate your eye circles, reducing a puffy appearance. Gentle retinoids can induce collagen production to firm up your skin, eye creams with caffeine or cacao can reduce swelling, and specific acne scar treatments may have an added benefit on the skin under your eyes, if that’s where your scarring occurred. 

Although tools like jade rollers are helpful for blood circulation, they aren’t beginner’s tools, so be sure you know how to use one before you start. 

A bonus: Placing cold compresses or used green tea bags over the eyes can reduce irritation. 

5. Never leave makeup on your face when you sleep

Puffy eyes might result from your makeup blocking your pores overnight; usually, concealer becomes stuck in and around the lower eyelid. To avoid this, always remove your cosmetic products with a gentle makeup cleanser during your evening routine. Be sure to clean your lash line as well.  

6. Find ways to decrease your stress

Excessive stress causes excess cortisol. It can build up in your system and increase the puffiness of your facial features. While telling a person to “reduce your stress” is easier said than done, you’ll find some actions to mitigate the effects: stick to a decent sleep schedule, meditate in the morning, and follow a daily exercise routine.

7. Sleep more

On the subject of sleeping more, when you have a proper amount of shut-eye, you can reduce the physical side-effects of cortisol. It works wonders for your overall health and potential puffiness.

8. Try home remedies for quick fixes

Of course, sometimes puffy under eyes just happen, like finding yourself on the bad end of a crying spell. Maybe you need a quick fix on hand to reduce swelling before you leave the house.

Examples of at-home quick fixes include cold cucumber slices placed over the eyes (think spa treatments), ice cubes to massage the skin, or cold compresses to reduce the swelling.

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A quick word on medical or surgical options

If you want to know how to remove eye bags permanently — and your eye puffiness is because of age or a genetic condition — you’ll probably need medical or surgical help. 

Nonsurgical options include chemical peels, face fillers, or laser resurfacing. The surgical option is a lower eyelid lift, called a blepharoplasty. However, surgery should be considered a last resort. Because the under-eye portion of the face is sensitive, any errors during the procedure can result in health complications.

How to prevent under-eye bags

Looking for a few more preventative steps that you can take? 

• Don’t suntan, and wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen outside. While we all love a golden glow, tanning exposes you to harmful UV rays, exacerbating your eye bag problem and damaging the skin. 

• Wear sunglasses when you go outside. Sunscreen application isn’t always the best, so wearing a pair of glasses can cover up the parts of your face that you missed.

• Carry over-the-counter daily allergy meds. Taking these when you know you’ll be outside will cut back on the chances of an allergic reaction to pollen. 

If you’re looking for other preventative healthcare products — like cystic acne creams or the best whitening toothpaste for a brighter smile — browse through Gopuff’s virtual aisles first. You can shop for essential items online and have them delivered right to your home.