Say Goodbye to Puffy Eyes: Acupressure to Reduce Eye Puffiness
- Dr. Guadalupe Vanderhorst Rodriguez
- Apr 8
- 4 min read
We’ve all had those mornings—when your eyes look tired and swollen, making you feel less confident and more fatigued than you actually are. Eye puffiness is a common issue that affects people of all ages. Whether it's caused by stress, lack of sleep, allergies, or simply genetics, there are natural ways to reduce puffiness and brighten your appearance. In this article, we’ll dive into what causes eye puffiness and how acupressure can reduce it with simple daily lifestyle changes, self-care practices, and powerful acupressure techniques.
🌟 What Causes Eye Puffiness?
Before we dive into remedies, it’s important to understand why puffiness happens. The skin around your eyes is delicate and thin, making it more susceptible to fluid retention and inflammation.
Common causes include:
Lack of sleep
High salt intake
Allergies
Dehydration
Crying or emotional stress
Aging and loss of skin elasticity
Poor circulation or lymphatic drainage
Addressing the root cause will always provide better long-term results. That’s why combining internal wellness with external care is the most effective way to reduce puffiness naturally.
🥒 Lifestyle Tips to Prevent and Reduce Eye Puffiness
Here are some tried-and-true everyday tips:
1. Hydrate Inside and Out
Dehydration causes the body to retain water, especially under the eyes. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and eat water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon, and celery. Use a hydrating eye cream to soothe the skin.
2. Reduce Salt and Alcohol
Both salt and alcohol contribute to water retention and inflammation. Minimize processed foods and cut back on alcohol—especially before bedtime.
3. Sleep Smart
Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night. Try sleeping with your head slightly elevated to prevent fluid buildup around the eyes. A wedge pillow or stacking two pillows works well.
4. Cold Compress or Chilled Spoons
Cool temperature helps constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. Apply a cold compress, refrigerated cucumber slices, or chilled spoons over your closed eyes for 5–10 minutes.
5. Use Anti-inflammatory Ingredients
Look for skincare products with caffeine, green tea extract, vitamin C, or hyaluronic acid. These ingredients help tighten and refresh the skin.
✨ Acupressure for Eye Puffiness
Acupressure, an ancient healing technique rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), can be used to stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and drain excess fluid from the face.
Here are the top pressure points to include in your routine:
1. BL2 (Zanzhu) – Inner Eyebrow
Location: Where your eyebrows meet the bridge of your nose.
How to use: Gently press with your index fingers for 30 seconds. Breathe deeply.
Benefits: Relieves sinus pressure and eye fatigue; reduces puffiness and dark circles.
2. ST2 (Sibai) – Below the Eye
Location: Directly below the center of the eye socket, under the lower lid.
How to use: Apply gentle pressure for 30 seconds on each side.
Benefits: Promotes circulation and reduces puffiness.
3. LI4 (Hegu) – Hand Point
Location: In the web between your thumb and index finger.
How to use: Massage each hand for 1 minute.
Benefits: Boosts lymphatic drainage and overall facial detox.
4. TE23 (Sizhukong) – Outer Eyebrow
Location: At the outer tip of the eyebrow.
How to use: Use circular motions for 30 seconds.
Benefits: Eases tension around the eyes and improves skin tone.
5. GB1 (Tongziliao) – Outer Corner of the Eye
Location: Right beside the outer edge of the eye.
How to use: Gently press both sides for 20 seconds.
Benefits: Enhances circulation and helps de-puff under the eye area.
🌿 Pro Tip: Perform this acupressure routine in the morning while applying a lightweight eye serum or facial oil. It helps your skin absorb nutrients while also depuffing and relaxing your face.
💆♀️ Bonus Tip: Try Facial Massage or Gua Sha
Gua sha and jade rollers are tools that help stimulate lymph flow and circulation. Using them in upward and outward motions helps drain fluid from under the eyes and define your facial contours.
How to use:
Chill your jade roller or gua sha tool.
Apply a light facial oil or serum.
Use gentle strokes from the inner to the outer corner of your eyes.
Repeat 5–10 strokes per area, focusing on the under-eye and temples.
🍵 Herbal and Natural Remedies
Natural ingredients can complement your acupressure routine:
Chamomile tea bags: Soak two tea bags, refrigerate, and place over your eyes for 10 minutes.
Cucumber slices: The coolness and antioxidants reduce swelling.
Aloe vera gel: Calms inflammation and hydrates skin.
🧘♂️ Mind-Body Connection: Reduce Stress and Tension
Stress increases cortisol levels, leading to inflammation and fluid retention.
A few ways to lower stress include:
Daily meditation or deep breathing
Yoga and light stretching
Qi Gong or Tai Chi
Journaling or gratitude practice
A relaxed body equals a relaxed face.
📅 Final Thoughts: Your Daily Eye Depuffing Routine
Here’s a simple routine to follow daily:
Morning
Splash face with cool water
Apply caffeinated or cooling eye cream
Perform acupressure (5 minutes)
Use a jade roller or gua sha (optional)
Evening
Remove makeup gently
Hydrate and moisturize your eye area
Perform acupressure or massage
Sleep with head elevated
🌈 Wrapping It Up
Eye puffiness is not something you have to live with. By making a few simple changes—drinking more water, getting quality sleep, and incorporating acupressure into your day—you can naturally restore a refreshed, youthful look. Best of all, these techniques don’t require expensive treatments or invasive procedures.
Take a few minutes each day to show your eyes some love—they deserve it, and so do you!
About the Author:
Dr. Guadalupe Vanderhorst Rodriguez is a licensed acupuncturist and author dedicated to empowering and educating others on how to take charge of their health. Through her acupuncture treatments, life coaching sessions and holistic health services, she has guided many individuals on their journey to wellness, helping them achieve a balanced and fulfilling life. Kicotan Acupuncture at www.kicotanacupuncture.com
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