Eye cream for bags: What helps and what does not

Is it puffiness, loose skin or an eyelid problem?

Temporary puffiness happens when fluid collects in the thin tissue around the eyes. A salty meal or poor sleep can contribute. Persistent bags can also be genetic, with fat prominence or loose skin contributing to their shape.12

A painful bump, crusty lashes or burning eyelids deserves a different approach from cosmetic bags. A stye is a small, red, painful bump caused by an infected oil gland. Blepharitis, inflammation of the eyelids, can cause redness, itching, burning and crusty lashes. These symptoms are reasons to have the cause checked rather than choose another cream. An eye specialist can examine your eyelids and ask about your medical and family history. Treatment depends on the cause and can include medicines, eye drops or compresses.3

What should you look for in an eye cream?

Pick an eye cream for the concern you actually want to address, rather than asking one jar to run the whole department.2

How do you apply eye cream?

1. 1Cleanse your skin.
2. 2Apply a small amount of eye cream before your moisturizer.
3. 3Gently pat the cream around your eyes with a finger. Your ring finger works well. Avoid pulling or tugging.
4. 4Apply your moisturizer.

Include sunscreen to protect against sun damage. You can use your facial sunscreen or a product designed for the eye area.2

Choose ingredients that match your concern and a price that fits your budget. Strongly scented creams can irritate and dry the delicate skin around your eyes.2

What helps temporary puffiness?

Lie down with a washcloth soaked in cold water across your eyes for a few minutes. Cold helps restrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. Wrap any ice pack in a towel to protect your skin.1

• If poor sleep contributes, aim for seven to nine hours a night.
• Raise your head slightly with another pillow to reduce fluid buildup during sleep.
• Limit salty foods if you are dealing with swelling.
• Use antihistamine eye drops only for allergies; they will not help otherwise. Use steroid eye drops only as prescribed.

What should you stop using?

If an eye cream or makeup seems to trigger swelling, stop it for at least a couple of weeks to see whether symptoms improve. Avoid hemorrhoid cream around the eyes. Hydrocortisone can thin skin with extended use; phenylephrine can cause allergic reactions and interact with medicines. Remove contact lenses immediately if your eyes or eyelids swell.1

When should you get your eyes checked?

New swelling that lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours should be checked by an eye care professional. For eyelid symptoms that are not improving, longstanding symptoms or yellow lumps or patches around your eyes, arrange a medical appointment. A pharmacist can help with common eyelid problems and advise whether you need an optician or doctor. Do not diagnose the cause from appearance alone.14

Get urgent medical help if:

• Your swollen eyelid is red, hot, painful, tender or blistered.
• Your eyelid suddenly droops, or you cannot open your eye or keep it open.
• The pain is inside your eye, or the white of your eye is very red.
• Your vision changes or you become sensitive to light.
• Eye symptoms occur with a headache, nausea, vomiting, a very high temperature or feeling generally unwell.
• You think you are having an allergic reaction.

What if the bags are caused by excess fat or skin?

Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery that removes excess skin or fat. For lower eyelid bags, a surgeon can reposition or remove fat and sometimes remove a small amount of skin. Discuss your plans with a doctor first: an underlying medical condition can affect whether surgery is appropriate. Consider the cost and risks before deciding.5

In the UK, eyelid surgery can cost £2,000 to £6,000, with consultations and further care adding to the bill. Most people take about two weeks off work, while bruising and redness can take several weeks to fade. Temporary puffiness, sensitive or watery eyes and bruising are common after surgery. Complications can include uneven results, noticeable scarring and blurred or double vision; serious complications include bleeding into the eye socket and visual impairment. Ask the surgeon about complication rates and follow up care, and tell them about medicines you take, especially medicines that reduce blood clotting.5