Bags under Eyes in Men: The skin under your eyes doesn’t discriminate: bags, puffiness, and dark circles can and do affect men – and let’s face it, that ‘barely slept’ look isn’t ever on trend. But despite their association with tiredness, eye bags can actually be triggered by various causes – and making small changes to your lifestyle can considerably help their appearance. Let’s take a look at what causes bags under eyes in men, and what you can do to make them a thing of the past!
What are eye bags in men?
While it might seem like a silly question, bags under the eyes are often confused with dark circles, another common problem affecting both men and women.
The skin under your eyes is thinner than the skin on any other part of your face, making it one of the areas more likely to show signs of aging, damage, and stress – no matter whether you’re a man, or a woman! However, eye bags and dark circles are very different. A change in pigment in the skin under the eyes is what causes the appearance of dark circles, while eye bags are actually mild swelling, or puffiness, under the eyes.
What causes bags under eyes in men?
Various factors can cause bags to form under the eyes in men, and while they’re usually connected with burning the candle at both ends, this isn’t always the reason behind your puffy-eyed look. Diet and dehydration can also influence those under-eye bags, but actually, most of the time, they’re linked to the skin’s natural aging process.
As you get older, it’s easier for fluid to build up in the skin under your eyes – and as the skin in this area is so delicate and thin, it becomes much simpler for us (and others) to notice this buildup. So, what can you do to combat those under eye bags?
To reduce the appearance of puffy eyes, there are some easy changes you can make to your day-to-day habits. While under-eye skincare might not seem the obvious choice, it’s key in helping you look more rested and refreshed, in combination with other small lifestyle changes. Here are some steps all men can take to help reduce the appearance of under eye bags:
Simple steps to reduce bags under your eyes
1. Change your sleep habits
While it’s true that not enough sleep isn’t usually the main cause of under-eye bags in men, it certainly doesn’t help matters! Make sure you’re at least getting the recommended 7+ hours of sleep a night, and you’ll be more likely to wake up feeling alert and refreshed – as will your eyes – as your body restores itself overnight.
Waking up several times during the night takes away from your overall 7+ hours, so find out what works for you to ensure a good night’s rest. Invest in a decent mattress, get blackout blinds, or wind down before you go to sleep with a good book. Prepare yourself for sleep, and you’ll find it comes much easier.
2. Get enough fluids
Do you know how much water you drink every day? If the answer is ‘no’ and eye bags are a common feature for you, then perhaps you should start keeping track. Dehydration can contribute to the appearance of under-eye bags, as your body tries to retain fluid where it can. How much water you should be drinking is hotly debated, as it varies depending on your sex, age, and activity level. A good rule of thumb is to remember the 8×8 rule, which is eight 8-ounce glasses a day.
3. Invest in a good eye cream
Applying an eye cream every morning and evening takes only a few seconds, but it can make a world of difference to those puffy, tired-looking eyes. In applying an eye cream, you’re hydrating the thin skin under your eyes, helping to keep it elastic and smooth. Treatments such as our soothing vitamin k oxide eye cream K-Ox Eyes help to target the visible signs of aging – think puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines – all in one.
By using an eye cream every day, you’ll be helping to make the just-rolled-out-of-bed look a thing of the past. Use it every morning for extra soothing AM care that will wake you up without fail, and in the evening to give the skin under your eyes the moisturizing care it needs.
4. Cut back on salty foods
Increased salt consumption can lead to fluid retention – which, simply put, means the more salt you eat, the more fluid your body stores. As fluid can build up in the delicate under-eye area, one way to try and help prevent this is by reducing your salt intake. Potato chips, smoked food like bacon, and even canned vegetables and soups can be higher in their salt content, so check the label and prepare fresh food at home when you can.
There are many quick-fix remedies out there for bags under the eyes in men – think spoons on the eyes, or cold tea bags – but if you’re looking to tackle puffiness head on, then these small changes combined with a soothing eye cream should do the trick long-term. Start today and see how quickly you can reduce those bags!
