04/13/2026
Puffy eyes, eye bags, and dark circles are terms often used interchangeably, but they refer to different conditions. Puffy eyes describe a temporary swelling around the eyes, which can be due to fluid retention. Eye bags, on the other hand, often refer to sagging or bulging skin under the eyes that naturally develops with age. Dark circles indicate a noticeable darkening of the skin around the eyes and can occur with or without puffiness.
Puffy eyes differ from swollen eyelids, as the latter can affect one or both eyes and may persist longer than a day. Swollen eyelids are often linked to medical concerns, so it's advisable to consult an eye doctor if symptoms like pain, redness, or blurry vision are present.
Several factors can contribute to puffy eyes; fatigue, allergies, high salt intake, stress, dehydration, crying, smoking, alcohol consumption, aging, and inherited facial features. In the morning, puffiness may occur due to fluid accumulation in the eye tissues during sleep, a condition that becomes more common with age as the skin and tissues lose flexibility.
Depending on the cause, you may be able to reduce or get rid of the puffiness around your eyes with simple steps like these:
Get enough quality sleep.
Reduce the salt in your diet.
Sleep with your head slightly elevated.
Stay hydrated, but limit how much water you drink before bedtime.
Take steps to control any seasonal or environmental allergies with antihistamines.
Avoid rubbing your eyes.
Manage stress where you can.
Limit how much alcohol you drink (especially before bed).
Quit smoking.
Use gentle moisturizers, eye makeup and other products that don't irritate the eye area.
Try placing chilled cucumber slices, tea bags or a damp washcloth over your eyes.
If your puffiness is caused by changes in the skin or fat under or above the eyes (eye bags), it may not be possible to get rid of them completely with lifestyle changes alone.
Medical treatments
Non-surgical – Options like under-eye filler, chemical peels and laser treatments could make the skin firmer and reduce puffiness.
Surgical – A lower eyelid lift (lower blepharoplasty) or orbital fat prolapse surgery can be used to remove fat and tighten skin.