Best under eye treatment for dark circles and puffiness

Courtesy Image/Khadija Horton

Look, puffy under-eye bags are normal, natural, and often hereditary (thanks again, Mom, for the bags, oily skin, cellulite, and cystic acne). But even when they aren’t the result of a genetic gift—see: too many late-night spicy margs and Netflix marathons—I still like to think of them as proof of ~life~. Like, yes, world, I have been out there living my best years, tyvm. That being said, I also understand if you’re not trying to show off your DNA or your Saturday-night antics, and you’re instead looking for an under-eye bag treatment that actually helps reduce (or completely fix) the puffiness. So that’s where I—and a few plastic surgeons and dermatologists—come in to help.

First, it’s important to note that under-eye bags are almost always due to genetics, lack of sleep, or eating habits (hiii, salty foods 💔), so before wasting your coin on a zillion eye creams that make unattainable promises, book an appointment with your doctor—or a virtual dermatologist, if you’re lazy—to figure out the root cause of your eye puffiness, whether that’s allergies, medication side effects, fluid retention, stress, etc. Once you’ve got that down, we’ve gotchu covered with all the best in-office under-eye bag treatments and at-home de-depuffing products, tools, and tips, straight from the experts. Let’s get into it, shall we?

FYI, under-eye bag treatments fall into two categories: (1) professional treatments done in the office by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist for permanent or longer-lasting results; and (2) at-home treatments, which can potentially help decrease some surface-level puffiness, depending on the cause. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Professional under-eye bag treatments:

• Medications (like antihistamines for allergies, or diuretics for fluid retention)
• Surgery (aka a lower blepharoplasty, where excess fat and tissue is removed from under the eyes for a permanently smooth result)
• Under-eye filler (can help blend your under-eye fat pads with your cheeks by adding some strategic volume)
• Laser treatments (can help tighten, smooth, and brighten skin, depending on the type of laser used)
• Microneedling (promotes collagen production to help firm skin and fade hyperpigmentation, which can offset the look of bags and dark circles)

• Cryotherapy (i.e., usings chilled or frozen tools, eye masks, and devices to temporarily constrict blood vessels and deflate some puffiness fast)
• Retinoids (boosts collagen to help tighten and thicken skin around the eyes)
• Skincare routine (see: always, always removing makeup and washing your face to prevent skin irritation and eye puffiness)
• Lifestyle changes (like reducing sodium intake to curb fluid retention in your skin, getting more sleep, reducing major life stressors, etc.)
• Targeted eye creams (like caffeine-based formulas to temporarily constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling)

See? You’ve got options. And don’t worry—I got the experts to explain your in-office and at-home treatments in even more detail below, including answers to all your Qs, like what causes under-eye bags, if it’s possible to get rid of them naturally, and more. But for now, keep scrolling for the easiest under-eye bag treatments to try asap, including the best eye creams, skincare devices, and tools that’ll help de-puff and smooth.

Massage Under-Eye Bags With Cryo Globes

Bequipped Facial Ice Globes

Use a Chilled Eye Pillow for Puffiness

Amazon IMAK Compression Pain Relief Mask and Eye Pillow

Try A De-Puffing Gel for Under-Eye Bags

Dr. Brandt No More Baggage Eye De-Puffing Gel

Dissolve Eye Makeup With a Cleansing Oil

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Face Wash Cleansing Oil

Try Gua Sha for Under-Eye Bags

Sacheu Stainless Steel Gua Sha

Constrict Puffiness With a Caffeine Eye Serum

The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + ECGC Depuffing Eye Serum

Sleep with Silicone Under-Eye Patches

SiO Beauty Eye and Smile Reusable Lift Anti-Wrinkle Patches

Treat Puffy Bags With an Under-Eye Roller

Garnier Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller

Boost Your Collagen Production with Retinol

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Filler Serum

Add a Brightening Vitamin C Formula

BeautyStat Universal Universal C Eye Perfector

Try a Microcurrent Facial to “Lift” Skin

NuFACE FIX Line-Smoothing Device

Amp Up the Hydration Around Your Eyes

Shani Darden Intensive Eye Renewal Cream with Firming Peptides

Why do I get bags under my eyes?

According to dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, you may have bags under your eyes due to a mix of health and behavioral factors. “Puffiness is often caused by poor lymphatic circulation or by dietary factors, like high sodium, which draws water into your skin’s tissue,” says Dr. Nazarian. While you can play around with your eating habits, you can only do so much when it comes to your lymphatic system—it may be holding on to excess lymph (aka fluid) because of hormones, new medications, or stress, which is why you should always check with your doctor if anything seems off.

Before you start worrying about your system or your love of salt, though, know that your bags may also just be something you were born with, meaning there’s nothing “wrong” with you, your lifestyle, your health, etc.—your skin may simply be showing the natural muscle structure beneath it, giving you the appearance of puffiness.

Can allergies cause under-eye bags?

Yes, allergies can cause temporary under-eye bags (yay!). If you notice your under-eye bags are especially prominent during the spring or summer when nature is ~nature-ing~, your puffiness might just be from seasonal allergies. Thankfully, over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications, eye drops, or nasal sprays can help to decrease irritation or fluid retention, so make sure to chat with your doctor or an allergist if you think the outdoors is to blame.

How do you permanently get rid of bags under your eyes?

It's important to note that creams and at-home remedies may only provide temporary improvement for under-eye bags. The only way to permanently get rid of genetic under-eye bags (aka bags caused by fat pads under the eyes, not by medications, lifestyle habits, or allergies) is through a surgery called lower-lid blepharoplasty.

According to plastic surgeon Alexis Parcells, MD, a blepharoplasty removes fat and excess skin under the eyes through a small incision, either directly below the eyelid or inside the eyelid, and can be an option for anyone whose under-eye bags are due to prominent fat pads. Of course, we’re talking about literal surgery here, and no surgery is without risks (even though the procedure takes less than an hour from start to finish, it can still result in dry eyes, pain, swelling, bruising, and blurred vision for up to two weeks).

Sound too intense? I feel you. Which is why you’ll often see under-eye filler touted as a non-surgical alternative to treating under-eye bags—even if it’s very much not. Because the skin under your eyes is so thin, it’s easy for face filler to accidentally migrate, making it “very unpredictable,” says Dr. Parcells. So before you commit to injectables, “You have to understand the variability and be okay with the fact that it may need to be dissolved later on if it does migrate,” she says.

Can laser treatment or microneedling get rid of bags under eyes?

Dr. Parcells also recommends CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser treatments for treating under-eye bags. CO2 is a type of laser that resurfaces your skin by removing thin layers of skin to trigger your body’s natural healing process. The result? Increased collagen (which means smoother under-eyes and tighter skin), along with decreased fine lines and hyperpigmentation. It’s pricey ($1,000 to $2,500, depending on where you live), not exactly painless (though you’ll be numbed up first), and has a downtime of up to 10 days due to peeling, swelling, and redness.

Another less intense, yet still potentially helpful treatment? Microneedling, which is where a needle-covered roller or stamp is pricked around your face to stimulate collagen and elastin while your skin heals itself. It won’t “deflate” your bags, microneedling can help firm skin over time, while also helping to fade hyperpigmentation that could be contributing to dark circles. This treatment is still pricey (think $100 to $700 per session) and a lil uncomfortable, but it’s fast, and there’s virtually no downtime afterward.

Still, neither of these treatments will be very effective if your under-eye bags are hereditary and due to prominent fat pads. And again, because your eye area is so delicate and the skin is so thin, not every patient may be a candidate for these more intense treatments, which is why it’s so important to consult with a dermatologist (or two!) to figure out exactly what’s causing your puffiness and decide the best course of treatment for your specific anatomy.

What is the best skincare routine for under-eye bags?

The best skincare routine for under-eye bags is actually a simple and gentle one—and it surprisingly doesn’t require an under-eye cream (the shock!). Instead, look for a basic skincare routine that consists of makeup remover/face wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen. And no, we’re not just touting SPF because we always do. Puffiness and bags will worsen as your skin loses elasticity, so it’s important to preserve the “delicate collagen around the eye by wearing sunscreen regularly,” explains Dr. Fahs.

Once you’ve got the basics down—and you consistently stick to your routine, ahem—you can slowly incorporate area-specific products, like a caffeine eye-cream to help get rid of puffiness, a vitamin C serum to help fade dark spots, and retinol to smooth fine lines and wrinkles over time.

Can sodium cause under-eye bags?

Sry, but yes, sodium-heavy foods can cause under-eye bags. In fact, a ton of dietary and lifestyle habits can play a role in how puffy or swollen your skin looks. “I know this sucks, but try to avoid salty foods and don’t drink a lot of alcohol if you’re trying to reduce bags,” says Dr. Gohara, since “both habits lend themselves to fluid retention.” I’m all about balance here, but if your under-eye bags just ~happen~ to coincide with the nights you order pizza at 2 a.m. after a couple vodka sodas, your best treatment may be more sleep, more water, and way less salt and alcohol.

Meet the experts:

• Dr. Alexis Parcells, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and the founder of Parcells Plastic Surgery in Eatontown, NJ and New York, NY, and a clinical instructor at RWJ Barnabas Health in New Jersey. Dr. Parcells is also the founder of Sunnie, a topical medical-grade skincare line that consists of cleansers, scar-reducing treatments, lash and brow serums, and acne products.
• Dr. Fatima Fahs, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Hamzavi Dermatology in Canton, MI. She is also the founder of the Dermy Doc Box, a quarterly subscription beauty box filled with dermatologist-approved skincare favorites.
• Dr. Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group and a faculty member at Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Department of Dermatology in New York, NY.
• Dr. Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, CT. Dr. Gohara is an associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine and president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical dermatology and skin of color.
• Dr. Shereene Idriss, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor in dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Idriss is also the founder and medical director of Idriss Dermatology in New York, NY.

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than four years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from how to treat dark under-eye circles to stress acne. She’s an authority in all skincare categories, but is an expert when it comes to under-eye bag treatments, thanks to years of dealing with her own hereditary eye bags and puffiness. She regularly tests and analyzes under-eye bag treatments and eye creams for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists and plastic surgeons to assess new formulas and brands.

Katherine J. Igoe is a contributing editor at Cosmopolitan and has been writing about beauty, fashion, culture, and sex for 11 years. She’s an authority in all things skincare, including the best stretch-mark creams and how to get rid of cellulite. Her under-eye bag treatment picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and personal testing.

Ruby Buddemeyer was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan for nearly three years, and has five years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and celebrity news across print and digital, like the best face toners and the top moisturizers for oily skin. She curated her under-eye bag treatment picks through product testing, researching, and reading reviews.

Beth Gillette Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print.

Katherine J Igoe Katherine J Igoe (she/her) is a contributing editor for Cosmopolitan, covering SEO beauty, style, lifestyle, and culture (she's obsessed with gift guides and beauty products. She's been a freelancer for 11 years, previously working for Marie Claire (2018 to 2021) and Bustle (2021), with bylines in the New York Times, Parents magazine, and elsewhere.

Ruby Buddemeyer Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital.

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