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I’m not sure if it’s anxiety or sheer loneliness, but I’ve never cried so much in my life.
Before we hit the “pause” button on the world, I hadn’t used many eye care products.
I never thought about applying cooling gel patches under my eyes every day. I was lucky to have never dealt with dark circles from lack of sleep, either.
These days, my cried-out eyes have become my number one skin concern.
I’m not sure if it’s anxiety or the sheer loneliness I’ve felt recently, but I’ve never cried so much in my life.
I wake up with eyes so puffy, I have a hard time seeing through them in the morning. My skin turns bright red and blotchy every time I start to tear up, and the color doesn’t subside until I apply a cooling gel or a bag of frozen peas to my face.
If you’ve also been riding an emotional roller coaster lately, know that crying is a healthy emotional release. Plus, there are easy ways to quickly reduce puffiness and redness around your eye area post-cry.
I spoke to three eye care specialists to get the details on what happens when you cry, and how to care for those over-cried eyes.
Believe it or not, there’s a lot going on behind your eyeballs when you tear up.
“When your eyes produce a lot of tears, the lacrimal drainage system gets overwhelmed and tears spill out of your eyes,” explains Hadley King, MD, a board certified dermatologist in New York City.
Not only does crying cause the waterworks to kick in, but it can also cause redness around the eyes and sometimes the entire face.
“Because tears are made from our blood, vessels carrying blood to our eyes can dilate or become bigger to allow for more passage of blood to the area — this can contribute to redness and puffiness of the eyes, eyelids, and surrounding skin,” says Jason Brinton, MD, a board certified LASIK surgeon in St. Louis.
Luckily, there are no long-term effects associated with crying a lot, according to Nikhil Dhingra, MD, a board certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City.
“It can certainly dry out your eyes and lead to mild irritation in the short-term as well as irritate the skin around the eyes, but none of those effects should have any long-lasting changes on the eyes or the skin around them,” Dhingra says.
If your eyes are wet even when you’re feeling fine, you might want to talk to your doctor.
“If the eye is watering even in the absence of emotion, this can paradoxically be a sign of dry eye syndrome,” says Brinton.
Caffeine
You’ve probably seen caffeine as a popular ingredient in eye products, and for good reason — caffeine is a natural vasoconstrictor, meaning it reduces the dilation that leads to bloodshot, puffy eyes.
“[Caffeine] will decrease puffiness by decreasing how much fluid is traveling to the eye area,” says Dhingra.
Dhingra suggests Revision Skincare Teamine Eye Complex, which contains caffeine to decrease puffiness and reduce roughness.
King loves The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, which contains high-solubility caffeine and green tea catechins for reducing pigmentation and puffiness.
King also recommends First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy A.M. Gel Cream, which contains peptides, seaweed extract, and red algae extract for reducing fine lines and supporting the skin barrier.
Anything cold
Anything cooling can also help restrict blood vessels, further reducing redness and puffiness around the eyes, according to Brinton.
“We commonly recommend to patients that they take frozen vegetables from the freezer, wrap them with a paper towel, and place this over the closed eyes. The back of a spoon that has been placed in the freezer can also be soothing,” says Brinton.
Other natural ways to cool down your overheated eyes include cold tea bag compresses, cool cucumbers, or teething rings straight from the refrigerator.
Tinted cream
Colorscience’s Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35 is another favorite of Dhingra’s. It helps soothe under-eye puffiness with ingredients like jojoba, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol. It also masks redness with a little tint (ideal when crying happens at an inopportune time).
Under-eye masks
Dhingra is also a fan of Peter Thomas Roth’s Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches with marshmallow root and caffeine.
King loves MASK Skincare’s Under-Eye Nourishing CBD Patches. “[These patches] contain pumpkin seed extract to help depuff the under-eye area,” King explains. “For an extra boost, the patches can be placed in the refrigerator prior to using.”
Facial rollers
Facial rollers are always a good option to help cried-out eyes.
King recommends trying out Jenny Patinkin’s Rose on Rose Face Roller Petite, which is made of rose quartz and will stay cool after refrigeration to help constrict blood vessels to decrease puffiness.
“The small size is perfect for using around the eye area,” says King. “Gentle rolling under the eyes from the midline toward the sides can help decrease fluid accumulation.”
Use your roller in slow, upward strokes to promote lifting, paying special attention to the eye area and forehead, between the eyebrows and laugh lines.
When nothing else works
When nothing else seems to work, it may be time to talk to your doctor to see if an underlying issue might be affecting your eyes.
Products containing potential irritants, including vitamin C, retinols, acid-based products, and witch hazel should be avoided under the eyes.
“If you irritate the area with something harsh, that can increase puffiness and redness even more,” explains Dhingra.
Hemorrhoid cream is an oft-recommended product to decrease redness and puffiness around the eye area, as the phenylephrine reportedly helps to constrict blood vessels and the 1 percent hydrocortisone can temporarily reduce puffiness.
But King argues against it, noting that some brands contain ingredients that can “cause injury if you accidentally get some in your eye and cause irritation to the sensitive skin around the eyes.”
Brinton also advises against using redness-reducing eye drops regularly, because they can become habit-forming. They can also lead to increased redness and irritation of the eyes over time.
“These drops include decongestant ingredients like tetrahydrozoline, pheniramine, and naphazoline, and we end up telling someone every week in our office to stop using these drops,” he says.
“When used on occasion once in a while — like before giving a presentation or taking family photos — they are effective and probably okay,” says Brinton. Just don’t overdo it.
During these difficult times, shedding tears can help release a lot of pain, sadness, and frustration, but you don’t have to worry about long-term effects.
While crying often may temporarily cause your eyes to swell, get red, or develop under-eye circles, the results can be diminished with helpful products and ingredients.
If one form of relief doesn’t do much for your eyes, consider trying another until you find what works for you. And of course, make sure to take care of your mental health and safety in addition to your tired eyes.
Daley Quinn is a beauty and wellness journalist and content strategist living in Boston. She’s a former beauty editor at a national magazine, and her work has appeared on sites including Allure, Well + Good, Byrdie, Fashionista, The Cut, WWD, Women’s Health Mag, HelloGiggles, Shape, Elite Daily, and more. You can see more of her work on her website.
FAQs
What helps your eyes from crying? ›
- Apply a cool compress. A cool compress can help reduce swelling. ...
- Apply cucumber slices or tea bags. ...
- Gently tap or massage the area to stimulate blood flow. ...
- Apply witch hazel. ...
- Use a facial massage tool. ...
- Apply a chilled cream or serum.
Cold compresses: Cooling the area lessens inflammation and swelling by reducing blood flow. You can place anything cold, such as an ice pack, frozen bag of vegetables, chilled cucumber slices or refrigerated spoons, over closed eyes for a few minutes.
Does hemorrhoid cream work for bags under eyes? ›Hemorrhoid cream contains chemicals that reduce the size of blood vessels, which can ease pain and other symptoms of hemorrhoids. Reducing blood flow and making blood vessels smaller can also reduce the size of undereye bags and wrinkles.
What is the best treatment for eye puffiness? ›Wet a clean washcloth with cool water. While sitting up, apply the damp washcloth to the skin under and around your eyes for a few minutes using light pressure. Cut down on fluids before bedtime and limit salt in your diet. This will reduce the fluid retention that can cause bags under eyes.
How do I look naturally after crying? ›- Use oil-free wipes to clean up your mess. ...
- Use redness-reducing eyedrops to get the red out. ...
- Eliminate puffiness with an ice cube and a caffeine-laced eye serum or cream. ...
- Rehydrate your skin. ...
- Ace your base. ...
- Give your lashes some love. ...
- Bump up your blush.
Apply cold green or black tea bags under the eyes. It appears that green tea, chamomile tea, and rooibos teas are popular tea bags to reduce redness and discomfort in the eyes. Most of the evidence is anecdotal, but the anti-inflammatory properties of these products may reduce irritation and inflammation.
Does witch hazel help with puffy eyes? ›Reduces eye puffiness
Witch hazel is great for controlling bags and puffiness under the eyes by shrinking blood vessels. Simply soak two cotton balls in witch hazel and place them on closed eyes for about 10 minutes.
Dermatologist Suneel Chilukuri recommends applying cold cucumbers over the eyes for five minutes. The cucumber juice and the cold temperature act as anti-inflammatory compresses. Dr. Jeanniton adds that chilled green tea bags make a great compress as well.
Do tea bags help eye bags? ›Tea bags may help to improve the appearance of your eyes by reducing dark circles, puffiness, and redness. They may also help to treat irritation, styes, and pink eye. Tea bags are an affordable, natural option that you can easily try at home. Placing them on your eyes gives you the chance to rest and unwind.
Does hydrocortisone get rid of bags under eyes? ›They also typically contain hydrocortisone, an anti-inflammatory which may help reduce puffiness or under eye bags.
Should you use Preparation H under eyes? ›
In fact, labels of hemorrhoid creams — like Preparation H — recommend against exposing your eyes to these products.
What is the main cause of eye bags? ›Bags under eyes are caused when the tissue structures and muscles supporting your eyelids weaken. The skin may start to sag, and fat that's usually around the eye can move into the area below your eyes. Also, the space below your eyes can gather fluid, making the area look puffy or swollen.
What ingredient Depuffs eyes? ›- Freeze coffee ice cubes. ...
- Use green tea bags. ...
- Take vitamin E capsules. ...
- Mix in some vitamin K. ...
- Soothe with coconut oil. ...
- Lock moisture in with olive oil. ...
- Depuff with aloe vera. ...
- Massage with arnica oil.
Stick a metal spoon in the fridge, or run it under very cold water, then gently press its curved back area under your lower lids for a bit of relief. Bring your face back to neutral (and hide any evidence of a crying jag) with a dab of under-eye concealer to eradicate redness.
How long should crying last? ›A newer study found that the average duration for a crying session was eight minutes. If you're concerned that you're crying too much, if you can't seem to stop crying, or have started crying more than usual, talk to your doctor. It may be a sign of depression or another mood disorder.
Why do I cry so easily now? ›Crying easily can be a symptom of depression, anxiety, or a lot of stress in your life. Since HSPs feel so deeply and can experience sensory overload, we're more susceptible to strong feelings of depression or anxiety. We might feel alone in our sensitivity or isolate ourselves to reduce excess stimuli.
Why do I look beautiful after crying? ›Apart from an emotional impact some people even feel that their skin starts glowing and turns brighter. But have you ever thought about why your skin behaves in such a way? Well, it's because the blood vessels of your face dilate and cause increased blood flow. But in long term, crying can cause damage to your skin.
How do you hold back tears? ›Tilt your head up slightly to prevent tears from falling. The tears will collect at the bottom of your eyelids so they don't run down your face. This can stop the flow of tears and redirect your focus. Pinch yourself on the skin between your thumb and pointer finger — the pain might distract you from crying.
Can crying clear your skin? ›“Since crying has been proven to reduce stress, crying may have a positive effect on a person's skin over time,” she explains. “Skin issues such as acne and breakouts can be caused by stress, and, therefore, crying can indirectly reduce acne breakouts by reducing the stress.”
What oil is good for puffy eyes? ›Essential oils like rosemary, lavender or fennel can be used to massage the eye area. These oils come laced with anti-inflammatory properties and help reduce puffy eyes. Tea bags soaked in chamomile tea is also widely used to battle eye bags.
Do cucumbers help puffy eyes? ›
People sometimes use cucumbers alongside face masks or during baths. People use cucumbers on the eyes to soothe puffiness and reduce dark circles on the skin, which can give an impression of tiredness. When eyes become dry, cucumbers can offer a hydrating effect, reducing dryness and redness.
Is there an essential oil for puffy eyes? ›Lavender oil, bergamot oil, tea tree oil, chamomile oil, eucalyptus oil, rosehip oil, rosemary oil, cypress oil, frankincense oil, clove oil, and geranium oil are some of the essential oils good for puffy eyes.
Is Honey good for puffy eyes? ›Topically applied honey can reduce inflammation and irritation in your eye. It can also kill harmful bacteria that could be causing an eye infection. Some people even use honey to try to gradually change the color of their eyes, although there isn't any research to prove that it works.
Does a cold spoon get rid of eye bags? ›"Applying cool spoons under the eyes can help reduce puffiness [because] the cool temperature constricts blood vessels and the pressure of the spoon against the skin enhances lymphatic drainage of excess fluid," says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner.
Does Baking soda remove bags under eyes? ›"Baking soda can help remove excess oil from the skin, which may contribute to prominent pores and shine," says Zeichner. "Any real benefits for undereye bags will likely be only modest." Sorry, guys: It looks like you're better off skipping the natural recipes and sticking to tried-and-true eye creams.
Is there a natural way to get rid of eye bags? ›Drinking more water and applying a cold compress can help shrink eye bags quickly, but these are not long-term remedies. This is especially true if your eye bags and dark circles are genetically inherited. Other common causes include: allergies.
What is the best tea for eyes? ›Green Tea: The Eyes Have It
Researchers say catechins are among a number of antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin, thought to help protect the delicate tissues of the eye from glaucoma and other eye diseases.
Envision the endless images of women reclining with chilled cucumbers resting upon their eyelids. These chilled veggies' ability to depuff undereye bags has reached mythical proportions.
What tea is good for dark circles under the eyes? ›Green tea may be more effective than black tea due to having higher flavonoid content . The caffeine in these teas also has positive effects. Applying caffeine may help improve skin elasticity and reduce dark eye circles, as well as reduce swelling and pigmentation.
Does hyaluronic acid get rid of eye bags? ›Hyaluronic acid fillers are a commonly used option for many procedures in order to reduce the appearance of aging and restore volume to the face, and are also a common method to reduce the appearance of under-eye bags.
Does caffeine cause eye bags? ›
Caffeine and carbonated drinks
Even though coffee and tea are a need for many of us, caffeine is directly associated with causing puffy eyes.
Bagginess under the eyes may also be due to genetics, and in these cases, are difficult to resolve and may be more permanent. They may appear almost overnight, may develop over time, and may stay for as long as the underlying cause is unresolved.
Can dehydration cause eye bags? ›Dehydration. Dehydration, alcohol, or too much salt all cause the tissues under the eye to look loose and take on a sagging appearance. Drinking water can plump the tissues back up, making them look smoother and more attractive.
Does vitamin C help with puffy eyes? ›According to Rouleau, the hero ingredient, vitamin C, works to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
How do I stop my eyes from watering? ›Try to wash eyelids daily to remove any allergens near or around the eyelids. Also, there are many over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops that can help with these symptoms. If the over-the-counter eye drops don't provide sustained relief, there are prescription-strength products that your eye doctor can prescribe.
Why are my eyes crying so much? ›Lots of medical conditions can cause watery eyes, like Bell's palsy, Sjogren's syndrome, chronic sinus infections, thyroid problems, and rheumatoid arthritis. So can medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. If your eyes tear up often and you don't know why, see your doctor.
Is crying healthy for your eyes? ›When tears wash away these irritants, the risk of infection plummets. In the end, tears are good for us for many reasons. A good cry, or at least a good watering of the eyes, contributes to preventing dry eye syndrome, flushing out potential infection risks, and releasing endorphins to help us feel better.
Why do I cry easily? ›Crying easily can be a symptom of depression, anxiety, or a lot of stress in your life. Since HSPs feel so deeply and can experience sensory overload, we're more susceptible to strong feelings of depression or anxiety. We might feel alone in our sensitivity or isolate ourselves to reduce excess stimuli.