10 Remedies for Puffiness, Dark Circles & Wrinkles Under Eyes

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Last Updated on October 29, 2025 by Kiersten

The best natural under eye remedies for puffy eyes, dark circles, and wrinkles. Simple solutions that actually help tired eyes look rested.

Anyone who has kids knows that the area under our eyes often shows what our schedules look like. Late nights, early mornings, and trying to keep a home running can leave you with puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles that feel like you aged a few years overnight.

Although I consider aging to be a very positive thing, I do want to age gracefully and appear to be somewhat around my age. I also want something that works without adding in complicated routines, needles, or expensive treatments.

These are the best natural remedies I’ve found that I use fairly regularly at home. They don’t require any fancy tools or equipment and don’t contain any chemicals.

What Causes Under Eye Puffiness and Dark Circles?

I had to do some research for this because – other than lack of sleep – I really had no idea. These were the most common causes:

Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep (…duh)
Fluid retention from salty foods, alcohol use, or stress hormones
Allergies and sinus congestion
Thin skin with visible blood vessels
Natural aging and decreased collagen

Most moms of young children have at least two of these happening every single day.

My Best Natural Remedies for Tired Under Eyes

1. Cold Therapy for Puffiness

Cold reduces swelling by tightening blood vessels under the skin. When you wake up puffy, it usually means fluid has pooled there overnight. A cold compress sends that fluid right back to where it belongs.

My husband thinks I’m nuts, but I keep two metal spoons in our fridge just for mornings like this. Press them gently under each eye for 3 to 5 minutes (my kids also think I’m nuts lol). You will look noticeably more awake after.

If spoons aren’t your thing, a cold washcloth or even a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel works.

This is the fastest fix in the list and perfect for mornings when you feel like you only got 10 minutes of sleep.

2. Green Tea Bags for Puffiness + Dark Circles

Caffeine helps shrink blood vessels under the eyes, which reduces the look of dark circles. Green tea also contains antioxidants that support the skin while calming down any local irritation.

Steep two bags of green tea for a minute or so, then put them in the freezer until they’re cold.

Place one bag over each eye for about 10 minutes. It’s relaxing and actually helps.

3. Aloe Vera Gel for Wrinkles and Hydration

Aloe soothes, hydrates, and gives skin a smoother appearance. It feels light and disappears quickly, which is helpful if you are someone who normally wears makeup.

Apply a small amount of aloe vera gel under your eyes before bed or in the morning. If you have that tight, crinkly look under makeup, aloe can definitely fix that. It helps the skin look refreshed without feeling greasy.

4. Raw Honey for Fine Lines

Raw honey attracts moisture and helps the skin stay hydrated longer, which reduces how deep fine lines look over time.

Spread a very thin layer under the eyes, avoiding the lashes. Wait 10 minutes, then rinse well. This is a great evening habit when you have a few quiet minutes to yourself.

5. Sweet Almond Oil for Crow’s Feet

Vitamin E helps soften any existing lines and improve elasticity. Sweet almond oil also supports the natural barrier of the skin, which keeps moisture in.

Warm a drop of oil between your fingers and tap it along the outer corners of your eyes before bed. If you tend to sleep on your side, this is especially helpful. Side sleeping can cause skin creasing to develop in that area even more.

6. Cucumber Slices for Puffiness and Tired Skin

There’s a reason this remedy is in every movie spa scene. The cooling effect reduces swelling, and cucumbers contain vitamin C, which brightens the skin.

Cut two slices of fresh cucumber and chill them for a few minutes (if you can). Place one slice over each closed eye for 10 to 15 minutes. This is perfect for that midday slump when you’re starting to feel run down.

7. Cold Coffee Compress for Dark Circles

Coffee isn’t just for keeping you awake! Like green tea, the caffeine in coffee tightens the skin and reduces the bluish appearance of blood vessels.

Dip round cotton pads in cooled black coffee, squeeze out the excess, and rest them underneath your eyes for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse the area clean with cool water and gently pat dry. This is a good option if green tea bags aren’t available.

8. Anti-Inflammatory Roller Blend for Overnight Repair

An easy blend of jojoba oil and carrot seed oil supports elasticity and skin repair while you sleep. The roller ball gives gentle pressure that helps to improve circulation.

How to Make It:

2 teaspoons jojoba oil
1 drop carrot seed essential oil

Instructions:

Add both oils to a clean, dry 10 ml roller bottle. Roll gently under the eyes at night, focusing on the outer corners where lines tend to settle. Tap lightly with your ring finger to help it absorb.

How to Use:

Apply a very small amount so it doesn’t get into your eyes. Focus your efforts on the outer corners of the eyes and the area where your glasses sit if you wear them.

Use 3–4 nights per week. Rotate with aloe or almond oil on the other nights if your skin needs lighter moisture.

9. Change Your Sleep Position

If you wake up with a puffier face than when you went to bed, your pillow could be the reason. Keeping your head slightly elevated stops fluid from pooling under the eyes overnight.

Swap your pillow for something a little thicker or add a second pillow under your shoulders. This is one of the easiest changes with the biggest payoff – I sleep with three lol.

10. Reduce Evening Salt & Increase Hydration

Eating salty food late at night leads to fluid retention the next morning. That fluid often shows up right under your eyes.

Focus on better hydration throughout the day, not right before bed. Drink water slowly and consistently. This is one of those “prevent the puffiness before it happens” situations instead of scrambling to fix it with cold metal spoons every morning.

Ingredients to Avoid Under Eyes

The skin under your eyes is thinner than anywhere else on your face. That means irritation shows up much faster and possibly more severely.

If something is too strong, it can cause redness, dryness, or even more wrinkles from inflammation. Here are a few things you might want to skip in this area:

Strong retinols: Great everywhere else, but much too harsh here. Retinols often cause peeling and make fine lines look worse for weeks before they start to improve, if ever.
Essential oils directly on the skin: They must be diluted, and even then, many are still too strong to use this close to the eyes.
Scrubs or exfoliating acids: Grit and acids break down the skin barrier. This will eventually lead to more irritation with time, not smoother skin.
Heavy fragrances or scented products: These can make eyes burn or water, which defeats the purpose.

If anything feels hot, itchy, tingly, or stings even a little, stop using it under the eyes. The goal here is calm, hydrated skin, not a science experiment on your face.

*As a natural living community, we don’t use or promote anything with artificial fragrance, chemicals, or requiring injections at Natural Home Apothecary.

When to Expect Results

Puffiness usually improves the same day. Dark circles and wrinkles will take longer, especially if you’re dealing with dysregulated (aka busy mom) sleep habits.

The area under the eyes responds slowly, so consistency matters MUCH MORE than trying all of the remedies at once. This is one of those long game scenarios, not an overnight miracle.

Even if all you do is apply a little aloe vera gel or almond oil each night and use cold spoons a few mornings each week, you will see gradual improvement!

Here is a simple timeline that I feel keeps expectations realistic:

Puffiness: Quick improvements in 5 to 10 minutes after cold therapy
Dark circles: Small changes within 1 to 2 weeks with caffeine based remedies
Fine lines and wrinkles: More noticeable softening after 3 to 4 weeks of consistent hydration

It helps to take confidential “before and after” photos to help yourself notice the progressive positive changes.

Under the Eye Skin Care Tips for Every Day

These are simple changes that make a noticeable difference over time:

Wear sunglasses outdoors
Remove makeup fully every night
Get enough protein to support collagen, or add a high-quality collagen powder to your morning coffee
Manage sinus issues quickly when sick

While I wouldn’t consider any of these steps or remedies to be glamorous, with consistent effort, they DO work.