*This is a guest post written by Barbie from Barbie’s Beauty Bits

A puffy, swollen under eye area can sure be a downer! But what if I told you there were some ways that you could reduce and temporally get rid of those bags with some items right out of your pantry or fridge?  Well, you can!

But, before I get into these at home remedies, it is important to understand what can cause under eye issue’s, possibly helping you to avoid them in the first place!

According to Web MD, ordinary swelling around the eyes can be caused by an excessive accumulation of fluids, called edema, in the skin tissue.   There are many factors that may contribute to this, and if you can determine the under eyeing, oops, I mean the underlying issue, you can BAG that under eye puffiness from the get go!

Some Causes of Eye Puffiness:

• Over consumption of salt or alcohol
• Dehydration
• Not enough sleep
• Stress
• Aging

While the last cause can’t be controlled, all of them can be reduced! So, if you want to see how you can reduce your under eye bags continue reading!

1. Potatoes:  This is one that I have had the most success with! Why? Because they are packed with the catecholase enzyme, an enzyme that is used by high-end cosmetic companies to lighten the skin & remove dark under eye circles and puffiness. Just slice a cool potato and place it on the eye for 15-20 minutes.
2. Cucumbers: These bad boys can help with skincare all the way around! Cucumbers are 95% water, so they are very hydrating. Furthermore, they have an anti-inflammatory effect that helps in reducing puffiness and redness under your eye.
   • There are many ways to use cucumbers including placing the cool slices on the eye area, or applying the pulp all over your face to help with other issues, like wrinkles.
3. Strawberries: This treatment will make you very berry happy, as you can see the results within minutes!  Why do they work? Strawberries have alpha-hydroxy acids that help to smooth out the skin while also reducing the swelling, dark circles and puffiness! Additionally strawberries contain antioxidants that help make the skin look younger.  Hence applying them in places other than your eyes, can most certainly be berry beneficial.
4. Cold Tea Bags: Tea contains tannins as well as having caffeine. Both of these elements combined help to shrink the swollen tissue while constricting the blood vessels, ultimately reducing swelling.

• Would You Like To Spoon? Applying a chilled compress, like a chilled spoon to your under eye area works wonders!  This is effective because the cold temperature of the spoon constricts the blood vessels, helping with redness and puffiness around the eye.

BONUS: What you eat can have a significant impact on increasing puffy, swollen eyes.  On the same token consuming foods that are rich in potassium such as bananas and coconut water can help to eliminate excess fluids in your body, enabling you to BAG that under eye puffiness from the get go!

So there you have beauties, my top 5 tips to bag those puffy eyes, with items from your pantry!

Will you be trying any of these?

XO,

Barbie.