Each eye contains a lacrimal gland under the upper lid that constantly secretes a small amount of tears to lubricate the surface of the eyeball. This moisture is needed to wash away any dust particles that land on the eye surface and to minimize friction during the movement of the eyeball.
Tears form a protective film over the eye surface and drain into tiny openings located on the inner corners of the eyelids. But when you are overcome by emotions, the lacrimal glands go into overdrive and produce a lot of tears that cannot be drained out quickly enough. The excess tears start flowing out of the eyes in the form of crying.
The skin surrounding the eyes is extremely thin and composed of very fine tissues that readily absorb the heavy stream of tears. The buildup of fluid under the tissue makes the periorbital area puffy or swollen after crying.
Plus, the urge to cry makes your autonomic nervous system push more blood to your face, also contributing to the swelling around the eyes. (1)
Home Remedies to Reduce Eye Swelling
Here are a few easy ways to get rid of puffy eyes after a serious crying spell.
1. Apply cold compresses
If the area around your eyes becomes puffy due to excessive crying, allergies, lack of sleep, or sleeping too much, the easiest way to bring down the swelling is to apply a cold compress over it.
This remedy works by constricting the underlying blood vessels, thus reducing blood flow in the area, which, in turn, relieves inflammation. It can also numb the area temporarily, soothing any ocular itching triggered by allergies.
Although you can get cold pads or pouches from drugstores, they are generally too frigid to be applied to the sensitive area around the eyes. But worry not; you can easily make a cold compress at home.
Note: This kind of topical cold therapy is often used to curb swelling around an injury, (2) but it is not recommended for any trauma that may have injured the eye.
How to use:
- Soak a clean, soft washcloth in cool or cold water and wring out the excess liquid.
- Close your eyes, and place the cold damp cloth over your lids to completely cover the swollen area.
- When you feel the cloth has returned to normal temperature, dip it again in cold water, wring out the excess liquid, and put it again on your eyes.
- Do this for no more than 20 minutes to prevent skin damage or frostbite.
- Wait for 2 hours and then reapply for another 20 minutes.
- Do this for 3 days or until the swelling completely goes away.
Alternatives:
2. Try a green or black tea compress
Both black tea and green tea contain antioxidants that exhibit strong anti-inflammatory effects such as caffeine, flavonoids, and tannins. Tannins are also credited with astringent properties that can help shrink the tissue and make your skin appear taut. (3)
Thus, you can apply these tea bags over your puffy eyes to curb the underlying swelling as well as tighten and strengthen the overlying skin. This topical remedy restricts blood flow in the area by shrinking the underlying blood vessels to dissipate swelling.
The antioxidants also help calm any itching or irritation in the area, lighten dark circles, and facilitate tissue repair.
Green tea is preferred over black tea as it has higher flavonoid content. Moreover, you should always look for organic tea bags that are devoid of any chemicals that can irritate or damage your eyes or the delicate area around them.
How to use:
- Immerse two tea bags in a cup of hot water for about 5 minutes. Remove and squeeze out the extra liquid. Wait for the tea bags to cool down to room temperature (usually 5 minutes), and then place them over your closed eyes for 15–30 minutes.
- Alternatively, you can make a cold compress by keeping the tea bags in the fridge for about 10–20 minutes. Then, apply them over your closed eyes for 15–30 minutes.
3. Place cucumber slices
Cucumbers are full of water, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds that give them natural cooling and soothing properties such as cucumerin A and B and cucurbitacins. They are often applied over the eyes to gently reduce any inflammation, irritation, itching, or hyperpigmentation in the periorbital area. (4)
When treating puffy eyes, it is better to use chilled cucumber as it can shrink the superficial blood vessels, thus reducing blood flow in the area and thereby bringing down the swelling faster.
How to use:
- Cut a few thick cucumber slices.
- Place them in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Take out two chilled slices and place them over your eyelids for 10 minutes.
- Reapply several times a day.
4. Prepare whole milk
The lactic acid in milk helps reduce puffiness and darkness, while also moisturizing and softening the area.
Milk is replete with amino acids, enzymes, and antioxidants that can help strengthen and repair the sensitive skin around the eyes while also relieving inflammation in the area.
It also contains lactic acid, which gently exfoliates the dead cells accumulated on top of the skin, revealing a fresh new layer underneath. This skin resurfacing helps diminish the appearance of dark circles and wrinkles over time.
How to use:
- Soak two cotton balls in cold, organic whole milk.
- Place one cotton ball under each eye.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Wash your eyes with normal water thereafter.
5. Use egg whites
Egg whites are loaded with amino acids that can help tighten the puffy skin around the eyes. This ingredient is credited with anti-inflammatory properties that can help bring down the swelling in the periorbital area without causing undue irritation.
Moreover, egg whites contain several other nutrients that can help strengthen and repair the skin and improve its overall appearance. This remedy may even help reduce the formation of dark circles and wrinkles.
How to use:
- Thoroughly whisk the egg whites of 2 eggs in a small bowl.
- Mix in a few drops of witch hazel.
- Use a small clean brush to apply this mixture under your eyes.
- Let it sit for at least 15 minutes before rinsing it off with normal water.
- Apply once daily for a few days for best results.
6. Try a saline solution
Salt mixed in warm water can help get rid of puffiness around the eyes by reducing fluid retention in the area.
Sodium works as an anti-inflammatory agent that brings down swelling. Meanwhile, the gentle heat stimulates blood circulation in the area and facilitates proper lymph drainage. The buildup of lymphatic fluid is often the root cause of swelling around the eyes.
How to use:
- Dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of lukewarm water.
- Soak 2 cotton balls in the warm saline solution and squeeze out the extra fluid.
- Place the damp cotton balls over your eyelids for 5–10 minutes.
- Wash your eyes with normal water.
- Do this every 15 minutes for fast results.
7. Apply aloe vera
Aloe vera gel is abundant in antioxidants and vitamin E that stimulate blood circulation under the skin to flush out excess fluids and thereby curb swelling. This makes it an effective remedy for puffy eyes.
It also helps repair and rejuvenate the tired skin around the eyes, which can help to fade dark circles. (5)
How to use:
- Scoop out the gel from an aloe vera leaf.
- Gently apply it all around the eyes.
- Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before rinsing it off with plain water.
8. Try a gentle double tap or facial massage
Gently tapping the area around your eyes and massaging the nose can help relax the underlying blood vessels and improve blood circulation. The increased movement of blood helps drain out the lymphatic fluid accumulated around the eyes that causes puffiness.
How to use:
- Apply 1–2 drops of olive oil or coconut oil around your eyes and on your nose.
- With your eyes closed, lightly tap the periorbital area with your ring finger and gently massage your nose with a special focus on the bridge of the nose.
- Do this for a few minutes, and then lie down with your head in an elevated position to relax.
Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Eye Swelling
- Get plenty of sleep: Sleep deprivation can cause dark circles and bags under your eyes. When you sleep, that is the only time your eyes truly get to relax and repair. So, it is essential to get at least 8 hours of shuteye every night.
- Stay hydrated: If you don’t drink enough water, your body will not be able to flush out the excess sodium, which will accumulate in areas such as around the eyes and cause fluid retention that leads to swelling. Thus, proper fluid intake is essential for maintaining electrolyte balance and lymphatic drainage inside the body. This helps you avoid unnecessary fluid retention, which often contributes to puffiness around the eyes.
- Limit your sodium intake: Too much salt in the diet increases sodium levels inside the body, which triggers fluid retention in areas such as around the eyes. This is because your body needs to maintain its sodium-to-water ratio to work properly. Thus, it will hold more water to balance out the excess sodium. So, cut down on your salt intake to prevent the buildup of fluid around the eyes.
- Limit your caffeine intake: Caffeine is a diuretic agent, which means it increases urine output. Consuming too much caffeine regularly can trigger increased water loss from the body, which can ultimately result in dehydration. A dehydrated body will switch to conservation mode and accumulate water to meet its needs. This fluid retention can lead to puffiness around the eyes.
- Avoid irritants: Exposure to synthetic fragrances, essential oils, and strong active ingredients can irritate the eyes and make the area around them swell up. So, protect your eyes from such allergens.
Final Word
It is completely normal for your eyes to turn puffy after crying your heart out, but they will go back to normal after some time or after a good night’s sleep. If you want a quicker solution, try the above-listed remedies and tips.
But if the swelling persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, redness, or anything out of the ordinary, consult your doctor for a proper eye exam.