Puffy eyes in the morning: what to do?

A glance in the mirror as you get out of bed: puffy eyelids, bags under the eyes, a tired look. It is very common and, most of the time, nothing to worry about. The good news: a few simple steps are often enough to refresh your eyes before the day begins.

Why are your eyes puffy when you wake up?

The skin around the eyes is among the thinnest on the face. At night, lying down, fluids circulate less well and tend to build up in this area: this is what gives that puffy look in the morning, which usually fades during the morning. Several factors make it worse:

• A short or restless night.
• A salty dinner or one drink too many the night before: salt and alcohol encourage water retention.
• Screens late at night and eye strain.
• Allergies (pollen, dust, pets), often with itching.
• Time: skin loses tone and bags become more visible.

In the mountains, dry air, cold, wind and long evenings at the chalet add to the list: the eye area quickly shows signs of tiredness. To understand what altitude does to the skin, read our article What cold really does to your skin at altitude.

5 steps to de-puff your eyes in the morning

1. Cold, straight away. A compress soaked in cool water or a small spoon chilled in the fridge, placed on closed eyelids for a few minutes: cold helps to decongest. Avoid putting an ice cube directly on the skin.
2. A draining massage. With your ring finger, gently tap from the inner to the outer corner of the eye, then up towards the temples. This helps the accumulated fluids drain away. The Rose Quartz massage roller, cool to the touch, makes it even more pleasant.
3. A fresh eye contour treatment, applied with light tapping movements (we tell you which one just below).
4. Patches placed under the eyes while you make breakfast.
5. Get up and move: standing and moving help the fluids from the night to redistribute.

For the rest of your routine, discover our 5-minute winter Morning Routine.

The treatment that wakes up your eyes: the Fresh Eye Contour Gel

Our Fresh Eye Contour Gel with water from the Mont-Blanc glaciers (€70, 15 ml) is a transparent, ultra-fresh, non-sticky and fragrance-free gel designed to decongest the eye area. Eyeseryl®, a tetrapeptide, and arnica help drain the area and prevent bags from forming. Water from the Mont-Blanc glaciers and Aquapuntia® hydrate, while Osilift® Bio provides a tightening effect.

In a clinical study under dermatological control (21 volunteers, 28 days, one application per day), a significant reduction in puffiness was observed in 95% of subjects.

How to apply: morning and/or evening, on cleansed skin, apply a small amount with your fingertips, tapping lightly from the inner to the outer corner of the eye. You can also apply it with the Rose Quartz roller.

The express boost: eye patches

The Eye Patches Infused with Flower Extracts (€28, box of 3 pairs) are 97.2% natural, infused with flowers and enriched with provitamin B5, with caffeine. Placed under the eyes while you get ready, they refresh tired eyes and hydrate the eye area. Perfect before a busy day or the morning after a party.

The Ferme de Beauté's tip: in the morning, combine the two. Patches while you have your coffee, then, once removed, the Fresh Gel with light tapping. Your eyes look rested before you have even clicked into your skis.

In the evening, prepare for a puff-free morning

• Remove eye make-up gently, without rubbing.
• Apply your eye contour treatment in the evening too.
• Go easy on salt and alcohol at dinner.
• Sleep with your head slightly raised, with an extra pillow.
• Keep regular sleeping hours.

Find our full evening routine in The winter evening routine.

When to ask a professional?

Puffy eyes in the morning are usually temporary. If the swelling lasts all day, affects only one eye, or comes with redness, pain, severe itching or blurred vision, ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice.