Tea bags alone can’t hold off post-party puffy eyes. You need a night routine

If you wake up looking like you were in a bar brawl instead of a party, you’re not alone. But do yourself a favour and don’t reach for a caffeine drink.

Hydration is the key to preventing puffy eyes and dark circles after a night of partying | Wikimedia Commons

I’m all for epic nights out. But no one enjoys the post-party reality check as you examine your puffy eyes and dark circles in the mirror.

If you’re left wondering why you look like you were in a bar brawl instead of a party, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Do yourself a favour and don’t reach for another mochaccino/ frappuccino/shakerato/what-have-you caffeine drink after a night out. Instead, keep reading while I list a few tips on avoiding post-party puffy eyes altogether.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate 

I know I’ve said this a million times but hydration really is the key. Every drink you chug needs to be followed by a glass of water. Yes, you might end up frequenting the washroom one too many times. But would you rather let out the liquids calmly or look like a puff pastry the next day with a potential headache to boot?

My advice? Level up from a party animal to a smart party animal. Have a few glasses of water in between drinks so that your skin (and head) doesn’t resemble Aunt Marge from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Say no to salt

Do you find yourself reaching for that Lay’s Magic Masala packet at a party? Or eyeing those last couple of slices of double cheese burst pizza?

Well, don’t. Salty foods at night are not your friends. Salt holds onto water like a codependent ex and thanks to their relationship, you might wake up in the morning with eyes as puffy as Elvis’s hair pouffe.

Nighttime rituals

Once you’re back home from a party, get a cleansing pad and your choice of hydrating spray and give your face a few gentle wipedowns. The spray could be rose water-based or aloe vera-based—check this with your trusted dermatologist, of course. A few spritzes, a wipedown, and if your skin could talk, it would say, “Thank you!”

Or “Finally!” depending on how well you and your skin get along.

Follow this with a little dab of night cream that’s caffeine or vitamin K-based and you can thwart any under-eye bags planning to rise with the sun.

And if you know you’re too lazy about a nighttime ritual, then do yourself a favour and keep the necessary items by your bedside.

Bid adieu to carbs & sugar

I don’t mean no carbs and sugars forever—just after sunset. That cookie on your counter might provide instant comfort as a late-night snack, but your face might take the hit in the morning. Carbs and sugars cause a spike in your blood sugars and before you know it, your happy tipsy party glow turns into a morning of tea bags, cucumber slices, and concealer.

If you know you’re going to be up late, do not reach for anything sweet and carb-heavy after sunset. Stick to something light like fruits and nuts.

Caffeine/no caffeine

If you’re having alcohol, avoid coffee. And definitely avoid coffee after dark—if you don’t, you’re expecting your face to pull an all-nighter right after another, which means it will look like a puffed-up bag in the morning. So, for everyone who thinks that a cup of coffee is a good idea after a night of drinking, think again.

That being said, what you could try is applying eye serum with caffeine in it right before bed. Your skin will look awake and give off an “I-woke-up-like-this” glow.

When all else fails…

If you have ignored all of the above and come straight to the end for a TL;DR, or if you’re still waking up puffy-eyed despite following the tips, then here’s your last recourse:

Frozen spoon: Maybe not the tip you were looking for, but there you have it—a frozen spoon or a cold compress, gently pressed up on your eyes for a few minutes, can make your puffy skin believe it can be normal again.

Tea bags: Black tea bags are a lifesaver. Once they’ve cooled off, just place them over your eyes and the puffy sections are guaranteed to disappear.

Concealer: On busy days, your concealer is your best friend.

Puffy eyes and under-eye bags (or suitcases, in some cases) are so last year. But if you’re a regular partygoer who doesn’t always remember to follow your night routine, they could be a recurring thing. My advice would be to write notes as reminders and keep them by your bedside table.

But if puffy eyes are a frequent occurrence for you despite these measures, it may be time for a checkup with your dermatologist. So, friends, readers, partygoers, and night owls—do the basics and your skin will thank you!

Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a dermatologist, anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.

(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)