The skin under your eyes is very thin, at only 0.5mm thick. This is one of the reasons why normal ageing processes of the skin are far more visible around our eyes.

There are two main kinds of baggy eyes: those caused by fluid retention and those caused by fat. As we age, the skin around your eyes loses its elasticity, and the connective tissue in the skin weakens, which can result in loose skin that forms folds in the eyelids.

The fat that cushions the eye sockets then moves forward, out of the eye sockets, and accumulates in bulging bags around the eyelids.

Another reason for puffy eyes is eyelid oedema, or the accumulation of water around the eye due to poor lymphatic circulation and increased capillary permeability.

The weakened skin folds more easily causing puffy baggy eyes and the veins beneath this tissue show through as dark circles. There are internal and external ways to keep your eyes looking fresh and reduce eye bags and dark circles.

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol and eating salty foods.
• Get a good night’s sleep – at least eight to nine hours.
• For a quick fix, fill the sink with ice cubes and cold water, then dunk your face in for 30 seconds or as long as you can stand it or place chilled tea bags or sliced cucumbers over your eyes.
• Juice a cucumber and apply around the eyes for a cooling and soothing eye treat. Store excess in refrigerator for up to ten days.
• For puffy and swollen eyes, make a wet compress of four tablespoons of freshly grated raw potato. Place on the eyes for about 15 minutes and then rinse with cold water.
• To reduce swelling and for bags under the eyes, brew a cup of strong rose hip tea. Soak two cotton balls in the tea or use two tea bags, lie down and place over the eyes.
• Do not apply cream moisturizer around your eyes at bedtime. Instead, use a gel-formula eye moisturizer, which will help firm and tighten the area and thereby reduce swelling.
• Some people have found that reducing gluten and/or sugar in their diet reduces dark under eye circles.

A natural extract taken from sea plants also does the skin around the eyes a lot of good.

Algae extract, which comes from sea weed and pond scum, is rich in many different kinds of minerals, anti-oxidants, enzymes, amino acids and natural plant sugars, all of which have a beneficial effect on the delicate skin around the eyes. The natural sugars, alginates and enzymes in algae enable the skin to retain moisture more easily by binding water into the epidermis, which in turn keeps the skin soft and supple and helps reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

Other elements in this extract also act as a natural skin toner, not only firming up slack under eye skin to reduce the appearance of eye bags, but also protecting collagen in the skin’s from damage that can cause the eyes to look tired and old.

The extract also contains trace elements and nutrients that play a large part in maintaining good skin health and circulation, such as copper, silicon, iron and zinc. Dark circles under the eyes are often attributed to poor circulation in that area, therefore using algae extract in combination with gentle massage may be of benefit.

Cucumber-Yogurt Eye Smoother and Moisturizer

• 1/2 cup of chopped cucumber (skinned)

• 1/4 cup of plain yogurt

• 1 egg

• 1 warm wash cloth

Mix all the ingredients until smooth, and apply mixture to closed eyes. Be sure to cover the entire area surrounding eyes. Apply the warm cloth over eyes for 20 minutes. Rinse face with warm water. This mixture will help to relieve puffiness and moisturize your eyes as well. *Mixture must be made fresh for each use.

Photo by SHVETS production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-close-up-shot-of-a-men-s-face-9775729/