Eye Cream for Puffy Eyes

How do eye creams compare to cucumbers and cold compresses?

Like dark circles, puffy eyes can be caused by a number of things, including water retention, allergies and genetics. Fortunately, experts say most cases can be treated with a few simple at-home remedies, like elevating your head while sleeping and reducing salt and alcohol consumption. Cold compresses can also offer relief, since they can constrict puff-inducing blood vessels.

For more persistent problems, some experts suggest using eye creams containing caffeine. That's because it's a commonly held belief that caffeine is a vasoconstrictor -- a compound that helps blood vessels to contract and expel excess liquid. The question is: Does it perform this way when used on the skin? Ellen Marmur, dermatologist and chief of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, says that even if that notion were true, caffeine is unlikely to have any effect when applied topically, "since caffeine is probably not able to penetrate to the vessels." Paula Begoun, beauty expert and author of the book "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," agrees, insisting that there isn't any published research showing caffeine to have such abilities when applied topically. That being said, many beauty professionals and users still swear by eye creams containing caffeine. While there is no evidence supporting their effectiveness, there is no evidence refuting it, either. The bottom line: If you like a particular caffeine cream, there is no harm in using it, especially since caffeine has antioxidant properties, according to Begoun.

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller Gel (*Est. $13 for 0.5 oz.) does contain caffeine and has been praised by many reviewers. Begoun, for instance, says that Garnier's Eye Roller Gel has some good qualities, namely its metal roller-ball applicator which, she claims, makes for an easy application. It glides effortlessly across the skin so that users can avoid any unnecessary tugging that sometimes occurs when applying an eye cream. Editors at Allure magazine also like the massaging action of its roller ball and suspect that it helps to reduce the swelling associated with puffy eyes. Users at MakeupAlley.com and TotalBeauty.com also agree. Several say that the ball is cool to the touch and feels quite soothing. Users at both sites give the gel only middling ratings, however. Reviewers are split down the middle regarding its effectiveness. Some think that it reduces puffiness as well as dark circles, while others see no difference at all; that could be due to differences in severity as well as the overall expectations of reviewers. Even proponents of caffeine creams insist that they cannot completely reverse puffy eyes, only improve their appearance.

Regardless of whether Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller Gel can completely live up to its claims of reducing puffy eyes (it's quite possible that no eye cream can), experts say that gel itself is an excellent option for skin. The formula won beauty awards from CEW.org as well as Allure and Shape magazines in 2009 for its innovative design and soothing formula. Shape editors rave about the "refreshing" feel of the gel formula -- they say they appreciate its inclusion of vitamin B5 and glycerin, both of which serve to hydrate the skin. The gel also contains mica, a light-reflecting particle that may lessen the appearance of swelling by creating a slight shimmer that reflects away from it. The result is merely cosmetic, however.

Lastly, it's important to note: If your puffy eyes are persistent despite the above suggestions, they may be due to the natural structure of your face (some individuals possess overly large fat pads surrounding their eyes). If this is your situation, experts say cosmetic surgery is the only way to eradicate the problem.