We share our favourite ingredients for puffy eye treatment and why eye serums are more effective than eye creams to refresh and depuff a tired eye area.

Why do eyes get puffy?

What causes puffy, tired looking eyes anyway? 2 of the key culprits are:

👀 Dehydration: If you’re dehydrated, your body tries to hold onto fluid which causes water retention.

This then causes the blood vessels to swell resulting in a puffy bloated under eye area. Too much alcohol, not drinking enough water, and foods high in salt can all dehydrate your body..

👀  Ageing: As we get older, our blood vessels become more permeable and capillaries begin to break down.

Blood accumulates in the tissues around the eye area causing the thin skin in the eye area to sag and become puffy looking.

What is an eye treatment?

Skincare eye treatments are designed specifically to treat the delicate skin around the eye area.

They target concerns including puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, and tired looking skin.

When comparing puffy eye treatment creams vs serums, you’ll find a serum is more effective for improving under eye troubles. What is eye serum exactly, and why is it better than a cream? An eye serum is water-based and formulated with a high concentration of active to target puffiness, lines, and uneven skin tone.

Eye serums are absorbed more deeply into the skin than eye creams which work only on the surface layer. Serums are a more concentrated and efficient way to de-puff and re energise a tired eye area.

Best ingredients for puffy eye treatment

What ingredients should you look for in an eye serum? Those offering rapid de-puffing action as well as ingredients that work over time to boost firmness by stimulating collagen and elastin production.

👀 Caffeine

Turns out a morning caffeine hit is good for your eyes too.

Caffeine is what is known as a vasoconstrictor ingredient. When applied topically, it constricts blood vessels and can help with puffy skin and under-eye puffiness by reducing swollen blood vessels.

A natural puffy under eye treatment caffeine is suitable for all skin types to target tired looking eyes.

👀 Green Tea extract

Like caffeine green tea extract helps to restrict the capillaries and blood vessels in the under eye area. This causes the skin to quickly tighten and appear and less bloated.

👀 Plankton extract

This natural extract has been found to refresh the appearance of tired eyes overall by working to depuff, smooth wrinkles and brighten dark shadows.

👀 Hyaluronic acid

The ultimate hit of hydration for a puffy dehydrated eye area, hyaluronic acid delivers multi-depth hydration into the skin.

A humectant ingredient, it works by attracting water to the skin to improve moisture levels. This moisture boost reduces puffiness and helps the skin appear more supple.

👀 Vitamin E

Vitamin A helps to smooth and soothe the thin, delicate skin around your eye area. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties to target inflammation that can lead to puffiness around the eyes.

👀 Peptides

Your skin loves peptides! Peptides are amino acids that make up certain proteins in your skin including collagen and elastin. Peptides stimulate the production of both these important proteins.

The combination of improved elastin and collagen helps the skin underneath your eyes to appear firmer and taunter. Peptides also help ease inflammation, even out skin tone, and encourage the repair of damaged skin.

esmi puffy eye treatments 

👀  Hydrating Eye Serum

Key depuffing ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and caffeine.

This lightweight serum delivers continuous moisture and nourishes a tired, dehydrated eye area diminishing puffiness while plumping and firming fine lines.

Hydrating Eye Serum is a potent formulation of marine extracts, antioxidants and a moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid to prevent transepidermal water loss while nourishing skin.

The result? A more supple, softer and brighter eye area.

👀 Anti-Ageing Eye Serum

Key depuffing ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, caffeine, and Vitamin E.

Whatever the reason for the shadows, lines and puffiness - ageing and sun damage, lack of sleep or overindulgence - the Anti-Ageing Eye Serum restores hydration and vitality.

Multi-action age-fighters including the revolutionary SNAP-8™ fight signs of ageing around the delicate eye area - crows feet, puffiness, dryness, and fine lines. Eyes are instantly refreshed and results are reinforced over time.

Both puffy under eye treatment serums are vegan and cruelty-free. Hydrating Eye Serum is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. Anti-ageing Eye Serum product Retinyl Palmitate which is not suggested to use whilst pregnant or breastfeeding.

👀 Eye Delight Reflection Eye Balm

Key depuffing ingredients: Chinese Horse Chestnut, Jojoba Seed Oil and Peach Resin.

Restore and refresh with this ultra-moisturising eye balm. Help to firm, hydrate, and reduce puffiness in the delicate eye area.

Ideal for all skin types, this moisture-retaining, depuffing formula of plant-based actives helps address lines, puffiness and dryness. The eye firming action helps leave skin more supple, smooth, and lifted.

How to apply eye serum

After cleansing or exfoliating, and before moisturising, apply a grain of rice-sized amount (per eye) and massage to below the eye area and above on to the brow bone in an outwards motion.

You can use eye serum in your morning and/or evening routine.