How to Get Rid of Eye Bags: A Guide for Busy Moms Over 30

Among the many changes that take place in the human body as we age is developing pouches under our eyes. These eye bags – not to be confused with dark circles – are caused by a combination of fat herniation, fluid retention, and sagging skin. At 30 years old, your bags could be anywhere from Jacquemus mini bags to a pair of Never fulls. It all depends on your genes and lifestyle.

Whether you’re a single mom, a working mom, or a mom who has an entire village at her disposal, the ways to get rid of these unwanted undereye pouches are the same. In this article, we talk about how to get rid of eye bags, as well as differentiate them from other undereye concerns.

Eye bags can be caused by different lifestyle factors and can come with darkness or discoloration of the undereye area, a.k.a. dark circles. Eye bags per se look like soft pouches under the eyes that can leave you looking tired or haggard. Dark circles can come in shades of blue or brown. Bluish circles are the result of oxygenated blood pooling under the eyes, and are usually most prominent after waking up. Brown circles are pigmentation, which can be caused by aging, too much rubbing, or sun exposure.

Diet can also make matters worse, because eating certain foods can cause inflammation that discolors the undereye area, or water retention that makes eye bags even puffier.

Having eye bags really interferes with the “youthful glow” that many of us go for in skincare and makeup. While they are usually not a health concern, there are ways to minimize their appearance if they bother you.

Your high-salt diet may be making your eye bags worse. Water retention is the result of eating a lot of salty foods. It can make you feel bloated, cause swelling, and cause further puffiness in the face and under the eyes. Experts suggest going for anti-inflammatory foods, such as broccoli and strawberries, or foods that are rich in potassium, such as bananas and yogurt to help flush the salt out. 

With your already busy lifestyle, this is easier said than done. But the reality is, the busier you are, the more you need it! Not enough sleep can also lead to water retention and swelling under the eyes, as well as redness, drooping, and dark circles. In a quick interview, with Chrissy, mom to a three-year-old boy, shares a sleep-early trick: just do everything at least one hour earlier. Eat dinner early, and practice downtime after dinner with relaxing activities and zero technology. It’s like daylight savings, but purely for personal gain. Kinda genius!

We tend to rub our eyes quite vigorously when removing makeup, especially if we’re in a hurry. Not surprisingly, frequent friction around the eye area can cause more darkening. When removing stubborn makeup, such as waterproof mascara, go for the press-and-wipe approach. Take two cotton pads and soak them in makeup remover or micellar water. Press each one over the eyes and leave on for a few seconds. Lift the pads and wipe the remaining makeup off. It takes just as much time and even less effort. 

As busy as you are, make sure to take the time to do your skincare routine every night. If you’re starting to worry about eye bags, integrate an eye cream into your regimen. A product with retinol can strengthen and thicken the skin under the eyes by boosting collagen production.

POND’S Age Miracle Eye Cream uses Retinol-Complex, which improves skin elasticity under the eyes to prevent sagging, wrinkles, and eye bags. Right after cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, apply around the eyes in an upward motion. It only takes a few minutes to apply, and it’s formulated to stimulate collagen production for 24 hours.

Now you know how to get rid of eye bags in four relatively simple ways that can be easily integrated into your busy everyday life. If you have friends with the same concern, share this article and help them out!

Did you know that eye bags can be cute? Check out these tips to achieve aegyo sal, also known in K-beauty as "charming fat."