Crying is natural, but swollen, puffy eyes afterward can leave you feeling worse than before. Puffy eyes from crying are caused by fluid buildup and inflammation, and for some people, the swelling lasts hours. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, reflex tears produced during crying contain more water than normal tears, which overwhelms drainage and makes swelling more noticeable. Add in the fact that the skin under your eyes is thin and delicate, and puffiness can appear very quickly.
This guide explains why eyes get puffy after crying and gives you 12 detailed, practical ways to reduce puffiness. Some give you instant relief, while others work better if you want lasting improvement.
Why Do Eyes Get Puffy After Crying?
When you cry, your lacrimal glands flood your eyes with watery tears. Normally, tears drain into tiny ducts near your eyelids, but during heavy crying, the tear ducts can’t keep up. The extra fluid seeps into nearby tissues, collecting under the eyes where the skin is most delicate.
Crying also sets off a mild inflammatory reaction in the delicate skin around your eyes. The blood vessels in your eyelids expand, increasing circulation and encouraging fluid retention. If you rub your eyes, which is almost instinctive when you cry, you irritate the delicate skin further and worsen the swelling. That’s why swollen eyes from crying often look more dramatic than puffiness caused by fatigue or allergies.
12 Ways to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes from Crying
Here are twelve detailed methods to help you recover quickly and comfortably.
1. Apply a Cold Compress
Cooling the area with a compress is one of the simplest ways to shrink puffiness fast. Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, reduce fluid accumulation, and ease inflammation. You don’t need anything fancy, wrap a few ice cubes in a soft cloth or use a gel eye mask from the freezer. Hold it gently over your closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes.
If you don’t like the shock of ice, a chilled spoon or even a damp, cold washcloth works just as well. The key is consistent cooling, not pressure. Avoid pressing too hard since the skin under your eyes is delicate. For many people, this trick is enough to reduce puffy eyes from crying instantly.
2. Splash Your Face with Cold Water
When you’re short on time, splashing your face with cold water is a quick way to bring down swelling. The cold temperature stimulates circulation and encourages the tissues around your eyes to contract, which helps release trapped fluid.
Make it more effective by splashing several times, then gently patting (not rubbing) your skin with a soft towel. This simple habit also helps you feel refreshed and alert, which is especially useful if you’ve been crying at work or in the middle of the day. It may not eliminate puffiness entirely, but it reduces redness and gives you a healthier look almost immediately.
3. Place Cucumber Slices Over Your Eyes
Cucumbers are a popular home remedy for a reason. They’re made up of about 95% water, making them naturally hydrating, and their cool temperature works like a mild cold compress. Place two chilled cucumber slices on your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes and let them work their magic.
Cucumbers also contain antioxidants like vitamin C and flavonoids, which can calm irritation from crying and rubbing. While they won’t cure puffiness completely, they provide a gentle, soothing effect that leaves your eyes feeling more comfortable. For best results, keep cucumbers in the fridge so they’re always ready when you need them.
4. Try Cooled Tea Bags
Tea bags, especially black or green tea, contain caffeine and tannins that reduce swelling. Caffeine constricts blood vessels and reduces fluid retention, while tannins have a mild tightening effect on the skin. To use this remedy, steep two tea bags in hot water for a few minutes, then place them in the fridge until they’re cool. Once chilled, rest them on your closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes.
This method combines both cooling and natural plant compounds for a stronger effect. It’s also a relaxing ritual that helps you slow down and recover emotionally. If you’re looking for a natural way to tackle puffy eyes from crying, tea bags are one of the most reliable options.
5. Use Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is well known for its soothing properties. It contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can calm irritated skin. Applying a thin layer of chilled aloe vera gel under your eyes hydrates the area and helps reduce swelling.
If you’re using pure aloe gel, keep it refrigerated for an added cooling effect. Just make sure you avoid getting it in your eyes since it can sting. This is a great option if your skin feels tight, itchy, or irritated after crying. Many people also appreciate aloe for its ability to double as a lightweight moisturizer.
6. Massage the Eye Area Gently
Light massage helps encourage lymphatic drainage, which reduces fluid buildup. Using your ring finger (the weakest finger, so you apply less pressure), gently tap around your orbital bone starting from the inner corner near your nose and moving outward.
This tapping motion helps move fluid away from the under-eye area and promotes circulation. Don’t drag your finger or rub, as that can worsen irritation. A two-minute massage can noticeably reduce puffiness and also help you relax after crying. Pair it with a drop of aloe vera or a hydrating eye cream for smoother results.
7. Rehydrate with Water
Dehydration worsens swelling. When your body doesn’t have enough water, it compensates by holding onto the fluids already present, including around your eyes. After crying, drink a glass of water to help flush out excess salt and restore balance.
Sip slowly throughout the day instead of gulping down a large amount at once. This steady hydration keeps your body from going into water-retention mode. To make hydration less boring, infuse your water with cucumber or lemon slices for light flavor. Staying hydrated consistently is one of the simplest ways to prevent lingering puffiness.
8. Elevate Your Head While Resting
If you cry before bed, you might notice your eyes are puffiest in the morning. That’s because lying flat encourages fluid to pool under your eyes. Elevating your head with an extra pillow keeps fluid moving instead of settling in delicate tissues.
A simple tweak to your sleeping position can leave your eyes looking less swollen the next day. Even if you don’t feel like adding another pillow, try adjusting your sleeping position so your head isn’t completely flat. Your eyes will thank you in the morning with less swelling and less discomfort.
9. Use an Eye Cream with Caffeine
Caffeine has benefits outside the mug, it can calm puffiness under your eyes. Many eye creams contain caffeine because of its ability to tighten blood vessels and reduce puffiness. Dabbing on a little caffeine-based eye cream after crying can ease swelling and wake up the under-eye area. The caffeine helps tighten blood vessels while giving the skin a fresher, more rested look.
For the best results, choose formulas that don’t stop at caffeine. Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid help plump and smooth the skin, while soothing options such as aloe can calm any irritation from tears or rubbing. When you apply, use your ring finger and tap lightly around the orbital bone. This avoids tugging on the thin skin under your eyes and ensures the product absorbs evenly.
10. Avoid Salty Foods After Crying
Salt makes your body hold onto water, and that extra fluid often shows up under your eyes. After crying, you might be tempted to reach for comfort foods like chips, fries, or instant noodles, but those can make puffiness worse.
Go for foods packed with water, such as cucumber, watermelon, or fresh greens. These foods help flush out excess sodium and restore balance. Making mindful choices right after crying can shorten the time it takes for swelling to go down.
11. Use Chilled Rose Water Pads
Rose water is more than just a fragrant skincare staple, it has gentle anti-inflammatory and calming effects that make it ideal for tired, puffy eyes. When chilled, it adds a cooling element that further reduces swelling and leaves your skin feeling refreshed.
To try it, soak a pair of cotton pads in cold rose water and place them over your closed eyes for about 10 minutes. This simple treatment soothes irritation, eases puffiness, and gives the under-eye area a light hydration boost. It feels like a mini spa session you can do at home, especially helpful after an emotional day.
12. Limit Alcohol and Excess Caffeine
Both alcohol and high amounts of caffeine can dehydrate you, which in turn makes swelling worse. After crying, it’s better to stick with water or herbal tea instead of reaching for coffee or wine.
By avoiding dehydrating drinks, you give your body a better chance to flush out excess fluids and recover more quickly. If you do drink alcohol or coffee, balance it with extra water to offset the dehydrating effects. This habit not only reduces puffiness but also improves your overall eye and skin health in the long run.
Caring for Yourself Beyond the Puffy Eyes
Crying affects more than your eyes; it’s also a reminder that you felt something deeply. Puffy eyes fade, but what usually lingers is the release you got from letting those tears out. Instead of only thinking about how to hide the swelling, see these remedies as a way to care for yourself afterward. Whether it’s pressing a cool compress to your face or sipping water slowly, these little rituals double as a reset for your body and mind. Puffy eyes are temporary, but the comfort you give yourself in those moments matters a lot more.