Since many factors contributing to under-eye bags are mostly genetic, the best route to take to minimize their appearance is all about prevention. 

Under-eye concerns can be a total nuisance, especially if you’re someone who’s conscious about having under-eye bags. Not only are they unavoidably visible, most of the time their appearance is completely out of your control. 

Although dark circles and puffiness can often be caused by lifestyle habits, such as lack of sleep or poor diet, they can also be handled pretty easily thanks to makeup and even a shock of ice.

When it comes under-eye bags though, there’s not a whole lot you can do to avoid them as they’re primarily caused by genetics and aging (and maybe worsened with some lifestyle choices). 

So what can you do? Here are some non-surgical options to consider if you want to take the natural way. 

WHAT CAUSES EYE BAGS?

Unlike dark circles and puffiness, under-eye bags don’t get talked about as often, probably because they’re much more out of our control. The leading cause for under-eye bags are are fat pads under the eyes that exist due to genetics.

Dermatologists explain that under-eye fat pads can be quite prominent in some families as they visibly stick out, which can be exacerbated by aging.

Dermatologists also agree that there are a few lifestyle elements that can also affect under-eye bags and make what’s already there appear much worse. This includes lack of sleep, poor diet, and managing allergies.

7 NATURAL WAYS TO IMPROVE UNDER-EYE BAGS

Since genetics and natural signs of aging are the most common reasons for under-eye bags, there’s not a whole lot that can be done to get rid of them completely, bar getting them surgically removed. Since these factors are out of our control, the best route to take to minimize their appearance is all about prevention. 

If you’re looking to prevent under-eye bags from getting worse without having to seek professional assistance, there are some simple, natural steps you can incorporate into your skin care routine or slight lifestyle changes you can make to see a difference: 

1. SUPPORT COLLAGEN AROUND THE EYES

To ease the process of aging, the best thing you can do is support collagen production around the eye. This will help prevent sagging and promote a stronger barrier for a youthful appearance. You can do this through collagen supplements or topical products.

A popular beauty product that helps with this is retinol. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, which increases cell turnover to help generate collagen over time.

2. USE SKIN-SUPPORTING UNDER-EYE PRODUCTS

Along with retinol-based products, there are lots of other great active-packed serums and creams that can help prevent and improve eye bags. Besides retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, and caffeine are great sources of treatment for under-eye bags.

Peptides and vitamin C can help by promoting collagen production and reducing the breakdown of collagen to treat and prevent signs of aging. Since lack of water can worsen the appearance of under-eye bags, hyaluronic acid can treat this by binding and retaining water to keep skin hydrated and youthful. 

Vitamin E‘s antioxidant ability helps stabilize free radicals, which can speed up signs of aging, while caffeine’s antioxidant power can delay photoaging by protecting against UV ray exposure.

The good news is that there are a ton of great clean, natural eye products to choose from.

3. WEAR SPF AND SUNGLASSES

Even though vitamin E can help with UV protection, it’s not enough to truly prevent any real damage. Instead, you’ll want to make sure you apply enough SPF and wear protective sunglasses to slow down the sagging of the skin around the eyes. This will help block both damaging UVA and UVB light, reducing the risk of under-eye aging and skin cancer.

4. USING GUA SHA OR JADE ROLLER FACIAL TOOLS

If you have a big event coming up and you want to quickly and efficiently improve the appearance of your eyes, using a gua sha or jade roller may help reduce puffiness. These tools can target puffiness and sagging by promoting lymphatic drainage, which reduces swelling and improves circulation by helping to flush out toxins.

To help target the right area, you’ll want a tool that has a smaller-sized corner that targets the delicate area.

5. DECREASE SALT INTAKE

If your under-eye bags seem to be getting worse on a daily basis, you may want to take a look at your diet. For instance, a lot of salt intake can dehydrate your skin and cause fluids to build up throughout your body, including under your eyes. Though this may not be the sole cause for eye bags, it can definitely increase their puffiness. Cutting back on salty foods can improve this. 

6. CUT BACK ON ALCOHOL

Salt isn’t the only thing in your diet that may affect your under eyes, but drinking too much alcohol can also cause dehydration and inflammation. So if you want to decrease puffiness and improve dark circles and under-eye bags, cutting back on alcohol intake may help. 

7. SLEEP ON YOUR BACK WITH YOUR HEAD PROPPED UP

Not only can more sleep help improve the appearance of eye bags, but this specific sleeping position can give your under-eyes the little boost they need to improve their appearance. Sleeping on your back with your head a little elevated helps decrease fluid retention overnight.