Let’s face it, almost all of us have struggled with under-eye bags at some point. But fear not! We’ve got the lowdown on the best under-eye bag treatments that’ll help you say goodbye to those pesky puffy eyes, according to experts.
Why Do We Even Get Under-Eye Bags?
Your upper and lower eyelids have the thinnest and most sensitive skin on your body, explains dermatologist Kenneth Mark, MD. This makes them naturally prone to swelling from salty foods, lack of sleep, age, and genetics. This means there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for under-eye bag treatments, but we’ve got you covered with many doctor-approved options for smoothing and de-puffing!
Real, No-B.S. Under-Eye Bag Treatments
These are actual, no-B.S. under-eye bag treatments recommended by the five dermatologists and one plastic surgeon we spoke with. So, let’s dive into everything you need to know about getting rid of those annoying under-eye bags!
Under-Eye Bag Treatments Breakdown
FYI: Under-eye bag treatments can be grouped into two main categories:
- Professional treatments are done in the office by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist for permanent or longer-lasting results.
- At-home treatments can potentially help decrease some surface-level puffiness, depending on the cause.
Let’s take a closer look at these under-eye bag treatments!
Professional Under-Eye Bag Treatments
- Medications (like antihistamines for allergies or diuretics for fluid retention)
- Surgery (aka 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 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)
At-Home Under-Eye Bag Treatments
- Cryotherapy (using chilled or frozen tools, eye masks, and devices to constrict blood vessels and deflate some puffiness fast temporarily)
- Retinoids (boosts collagen to help tighten and thicken the skin around the eyes)
- Skincare routine (always, constantly removing makeup and washing your face to prevent skin irritation and eye puffiness)
- Lifestyle changes (like reducing sodium intake, getting more sleep, and reducing major life stressors)
- Targeted eye creams (like caffeine-based formulas to temporarily constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling)
See? You’ve got options!
Don’t worry—we’ve got the experts to explain these under-eye bag treatments in even more detail below, including answers to all your burning questions, 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 most accessible under-eye bag treatments to try asap, including the best eye creams, skincare devices, and tools to help de-puff and smooth your under-eye area. Get ready to banish those bags for good with these unique under-eye bag treatments!
17 Ultimate Under-Eye Bag Treatments
1. Treat under-eye bags and dark circles with brighteners
Good news! Board-certified dermatologist Kenneth Mark, MD, says that brightening up your skin with a tranexamic-acid treatment can actually make your under-eye bags look way less pronounced!
How Does It Work?
By evening out the darkness around your eyes, you create the illusion that your under-eyes are smoother and flatter. All you need to do is dab this incredible serum under your eyes two to three days a week and then follow up with a moisturizing eye cream to help offset any potential dryness from the formula’s powerhouse ingredients like brightening niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and azelaic acid.
Real Results from Real People
The Reviews: Don’t just take our word for it—check out this glowing review from a satisfied user: “I struggle with hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and dark under-eye circles and uneven skin tone,” writes one tester. “The serum is creamy and smooth. I gently rub it into my skin, and I will say, after about two uses, I began to notice that my dark spots were fading quickly!”
So why wait? Give this fantastic tranexamic-acid treatment a try and say goodbye to those stubborn under-eye bags and dark spots! You’ll love the results and feel more confident in your skin. Happy brightening!
2. Cover Under-Eye Bags with Concealer the Right Way
Slathering concealer all over your bags might make them look more pronounced and puffy. Instead, dab and blend a brightening under-eye concealer around the inner corner of your eye and right below your under-eye bag to create the illusion of flatter, less-shadowed skin. Plus, the formula is packed with moisturizers like squalane and glycerin to give your skin a dewy finish, helping to reflect light and make your bags look less noticeable. Consider it the under-eye bag equivalent of contouring your cheekbones!
The Reviews: “One of the best concealers I’ve used,” writes one reviewer. “It literally melts into my skin and covers my red spots and under-eye bags seamlessly. But it’s also super hydrating and doesn’t flake off like other concealers I’ve tried!”
3. Consider a Laser Treatment for Under-Eye Bags
Dermatologist Kenneth Mark, MD, says a fractional CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser procedure is the best under-eye bag treatment if you can afford it. Sometimes called the “Madonna eye-lift” (because Madonna herself had this treatment in the past), an under-eye fractional CO2 laser emits light that removes layers of skin to help smooth fine lines, soften wrinkles, and firm your skin.
But be warned: this procedure can be painful and pricey ($600 to $900 per treatment, with some derms recommending two treatments). Plus, there’s some downtime—your skin will likely be inflamed, swollen, and irritated for three to five days afterward.
4. Try Microneedling with Radiofrequency Treatment for Under-Eye Bags
One of the most popular tightening and toning treatments is microneedling with radiofrequency (RF micro-needling), like Vivace or Morpheus8. This treatment uses a tool covered in tiny needles to puncture your skin, triggering skin-healing and leading to smoother, firmer, and more even skin. RF microneedling can be used right up under your eyes to help flatten under-eye bags and brighten dark circles. But note that it’s a pretty pricey (and uncomfortable) option, with one treatment costing anywhere from $600 to $1,100, and most providers recommend three treatments for the best results.
5. Reduce Your Salt Intake
Salty foods (including alcohol) can contribute to under-eye bags, especially if you notice more pronounced baggage after indulging. “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 board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, since “both habits lend themselves to fluid retention,” resulting in a swollen-looking face.
6. Massage Under-Eye Bags with Cryo Globes
Finally, we have a more glamorous tool than the ol’ refrigerated-spoon trick: cryo facial tools like these glass cryo globes! These tools help reduce inflammation and swelling under the eyes by temporarily shrinking blood vessels in your skin, says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. After cleansing and moisturizing, massage your under eyes with the globes to experience a refreshing, de-puffing effect.
The Reviews: “Right away, I could feel way more freshness on my skin using the ice globes compared to my other beauty tools,” one reviewer writes. “They don’t tug at my skin or cause any discomfort; they just feel so fresh.”
7. Use a Chilled Eye Pillow for Puffiness
Let’s face it, there are nights when our love for salty snacks wins over our desire for smooth, bright under-eyes. That’s when a chilled eye pillow comes to the rescue! This fantastic product is an eye mask, compression wrap, and ice pack all in one. Please keep it in your freezer, and when you need some under-eye TLC, slip on the mask and relax (or nap) until the pillow warms up. It’s not as effective at de-puffing as straight ice, but the cold helps constrict blood vessels while the mask’s weight speeds up fluid drainage.
The Reviews: “I store it in the freezer in a freezer bag and use it in the morning if my eyes are swollen or to help me fall asleep at night,” one reviewer writes. “The pressure is just right, and it keeps cool for a good amount of time.”
8. Lifestyle Changes Can Make a Difference
In addition to these fantastic tips and tricks, making small lifestyle changes can also help reduce under-eye bags. Prioritize getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and reducing stress. These simple changes can work wonders for your skin and help you look and feel refreshed!
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to tackle those under-eye bags and embrace a more rejuvenated appearance. With these fabulous tips and treatments, you’ll be well on your way to a brighter, more youthful-looking you!
9. Try A De-Puffing Gel for Under-Eye Bags
You won’t believe the magic of this cult-favorite gel that contains caffeine to temporarily constrict blood vessels and light-reflecting particles to offset dark circles! It creates a sheer film on your skin that “tightens” as it dries, leaving your under-eyes looking smoother and brighter, especially after applying a layer of concealer.
THE REVIEWS: “With an ice pack and this cream, bags were COMPLETELY gone,” one reviewer writes. “WOW. I could go to work and not look like I went on a bender the night before.”
10. Dissolve Eye Makeup With a Cleansing Oil
This might sound too simple, but your under-eye bags could result from sleeping in your makeup. Leaving residue on your eyes can cause irritation and inflammation, leading to chronically puffy eyes. The fix? Cleansing oils! Before washing them cleanly, they break down and dissolve all makeup, including waterproof mascara and eyeliner.
THE REVIEWS: “I used this cleanser in place of a makeup remover, and it almost disintegrated my makeup for me,” one tester writes. “There was no burning or feeling of scrubbing like every other makeup remover I’ve ever used.”
11. Try Gua Sha for Under-Eye Bags
Get ready for this stainless-steel gua sha that always stays cool on your vanity! Whenever you need a little de-puffing massage, dab on an eye serum and gently glide the straight side of the gua sha from the inner to outer corners of your eyes 5-10 times each. No, gua sha won’t magically get rid of genetic eye bags, but it can help temporarily increase lymphatic drainage to decrease some puff.
THE REVIEWS: “I love that its stainless steel, so non-porous, so I won’t have to worry as much about bacteria and germs,” writes one tester. “It feels cooling on the skin even without being in the fridge overnight, but that makes for an extra refresher.”
12. Constrict Puffiness With a Caffeine Eye Serum
Caffeine is the number-one topical ingredient recommended by experts for treating under-eye bags. This lightweight eye cream from The Ordinary contains a significant dose of caffeine, plus a mix of EGCG (a soothing antioxidant found in green tea) and peptides (to help strengthen the elasticity around your eyes). Massage a few dabs of serum under your eyes every morning, then follow with your regular face moisturizer.
THE REVIEWS: “Have used like 6 bottles of it now, day and night,” writes one tester. “The price is amazing, a bottle lasts forever, and it removes all my puffiness and darkness.”
13. Sleep with Silicone Under-Eye Patches
Sleeping in these silicone eye patches might not dramatically reduce under-eye bags. Still, when you stick them on before bed as a precaution, their gentle compression may help relieve some fluid retentions contributing to puffiness. You can also keep them in the freezer and stick them on top of your eye cream in the morning to help boost the de-puffing effects.
THE REVIEWS: “I was amazed how relaxed and bright my eyes looked the next day, and knew I was hooked,” writes one reviewer. “Nothing else has worked as well as the SIO patches. If you handle them as instructed, they will easily last 10-15 uses.”
14. Treat Puffy Bags With an Under-Eye Roller
Dermatologist Shereene Idriss, MD, suggests enlisting the help of this gel-infused roller to help
de-puff your under-eye bags when you don’t have time for a cryo-therapy session. The cooling roller tip acts like a mini cryo wand as you massage and roll it across your eye area, helping fluid drain faster than if you had just tapped on a regular eye cream. And the gel itself is also excellent—formulated with vitamin C and caffeine to help brighten and firm the skin around your eyes with continued use. Like 90 percent of my skincare products, I keep this roller in the fridge for added de-puffing powers. I massage it under each eye for 30 seconds before tapping in the excess gel and finishing with moisturizer and sunscreen.
THE REVIEWS: “I have very dark circles and puffy eyes and have tried many products,” writes one reviewer. “I started using this product at least a month ago, and just last week, my husband started saying I was looking different in my eyes for some reason. I couldn’t figure it out; we both realized that under my eyes were so much brighter and less puffy.”
15. Boost Your Collagen Production with Retinol
If you’re not already using a retinol cream, your time has officially come! “While retinol may not get rid of under-eye bags themselves, it can help improve skin elasticity over time,” says Dr. Fahs. Retinol speeds up your cellular turnover while stimulating collagen production. More collagen = more elasticity in the skin, which can mean firmer, smoother under-eyes over time.
Massage a sheer layer of this retinol serum across your face (even under your eyes) one to two nights a week for two weeks, then three nights a week for three weeks, before working your way up to every other night indefinitely. Because retinol can dry at first, end your night routine with a rich moisturizer to lock in hydration and mitigate any flaking or irritating side effects.
THE REVIEWS: “I have dry and sensitive skin, but this doesn’t break me out or irritate my skin at all,” writes one reviewer. “I love it and how it is helping get rid of my wrinkles.”
16. Add a Brightening Vitamin C Formula
Just so you know, under-eye bags and dark circles aren’t the same things, even though they’re often lumped together in the same complaint. If you’re dealing with both, try this vitamin C-spiked eye cream, which can help brighten skin over time. Vitamin C protects against damage-causing free radicals (which lead to premature fine lines and collagen loss) and helps disrupt the melanin production in your skin, working on fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Amping up the brightness around your eyes can make shadows less noticeable, and bags look flatter. You can use this eye cream day or night, but because it’s so lightweight, I prefer to layer it under my concealer to help it blend better into my foundation.
THE REVIEWS: “It went on super smoothly, and I had no hint of any burning sensation at all,” writes one tester in a review. “And, maybe most importantly, my skin finally felt like it was getting some moisture! I can’t even describe what a relief this was to me.”
17. Try a Microcurrent Facial to “Lift” Skin
Using low-grade electrical currents to make your face look a bit more lifted? It sounds fake, but trust me—I’m obsessed. Microcurrent devices, like the cult-favorite NuFace, use the technology of microcurrent facials to help stimulate blood flow and muscle contractions to leave your face looking a bit more glowy and “tighter” over time.
The NuFace Fix (pictured here) is a smaller version of the original NuFace Trinity and is designed to easily glide around the eyes and mouth to work on fine lines and puffiness. No, it won’t permanently remove under-eye bags (nothing but surgery can do that, sorry). Still, in my experience of using it daily for the last year, I’ve noticed that it temporarily leaves my under-eye bags looking smoother than any cream or massage ever has.
THE REVIEWS: “So far, it’s become my favorite of the NuFace line, mostly because it’s so easy to use; small, light, and portable; and can be a quick or a longer treatment,” one reviewer writes.
18. Amp Up the Hydration Around Your Eyes
Dewy, moist, glowy skin automatically looks healthier and plumper. So even if your skin is hyper-sensitive and you’re not looking to add a bunch of additional actives to your skincare routine, your under-eye bags can still benefit from a moisture-rich eye cream like this one from Shani Darden.
The formula is filled with tightening peptides that help encourage collagen and elastin production in your skin, hydrating squalane, soothing niacinamide, and barrier-repairing ceramides, leaving your fine lines a little softer and your eye area looking way healthier. And don’t worry—the cream is moisturizing, yes, but not so heavy that it’ll cause concealer to slip around. Dab it on over moisturizer in the morning and at night, and if you’re feeling extra, use cryo wands or a gua sha to massage it into the skin.
THE REVIEWS: “I have very sensitive eyes, and this eye cream is non-irritating,” writes one tester. “It hydrates nicely and works well underneath makeup too. A little goes a long way, and I anticipate this lasting a long time.”
Now that you’ve got all these fantastic tips and product recommendations, you’re ready to tackle those under-eye bags and look bright-eyed and refreshed daily! Consistency is vital, so keep up with these strategies and watch your under-eye area transform over time. Happy de-puffing!
