Bruno Pugh
You can fake a smile, but your eyes will always tell the truth. Exposure to endless screen time or stress shows up in your eyes like an unwanted guest at your door. That dullness and puffiness is your body asking for a reset. So, before you reach for concealer again, it might be time to rethink what they’re trying to tell you. And the next few slides might just shift your routine.
Lack Of Sleep
Your body repairs itself while sleeping, especially the fragile tissues around your eyes. When you cut corners on sleep, circulation slows down, and it can leave you with puffiness and a dull gaze.
Remedy: To bounce back, aim for 7 to 8 hours of solid rest with an elevated head.
Digital Eye Strain
Screens demand intense focus, and we blink far less than usual while we are on them. That lack of blinking dries out your eyes and wears them down. On top of that, blue light from devices messes with your sleep cycle.
Remedy: Give your eyes a break with the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to ease digital eye strain
Dehydration
Your eyes are quick to reveal when your body’s low on water. Without enough hydration, your tears don’t form properly. Plus, the skin under your eyes can start to look puffy.
Remedy: Stay ahead by drinking water consistently, adding hydrating foods like cucumber and watermelon, and using moisture-boosting eye drops when needed.
Allergies
Eye itchiness often stems from allergens or everyday irritants. Histamine reactions create a strong urge to rub, which only increases inflammation and risks damaging tiny blood vessels.
Remedy: Try antihistamines and cold compresses to calm inflammation and protect delicate eye tissue.
Aging
As you age, your skin gradually loses collagen and elastin, the building blocks that keep the delicate eye area smooth and firm. Fat beneath the eyes can shift, and thinning skin reveals blood vessels more easily.
Remedy: Try a retinol-based eye cream that supports hydration and collagen renewal.
Poor Nutrition
What you eat shows up in your eyes. Without enough key nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and E, along with iron and omega-3 fatty acids, both your vision and the skin around your eyes can suffer. Too much sodium can also trigger puffiness.
Remedy: Eat more leafy greens, citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, nuts, and oily fish like salmon to nourish your eyes. Iron-rich foods like lentils and spinach, or omega-3 supplements, can also help.
Stress And Fatigue
Emotional and mental fatigue show up in your eyes. High cortisol levels impair skin elasticity, reduce circulation, and cause a sunken, dull appearance. Frequent rubbing from stress only worsens irritation.
Remedy: Practice mindfulness, deep breathing, and digital detoxes. Also, use warm compresses to relax eye muscles and reduce tension-related strain.
Sun Exposure
Delicate under-eye skin is susceptible to sun damage. UV rays break down collagen, speeding up fine lines and discoloration. Even squinting in bright light adds to crow’s feet.
Remedy: Protect your eyes daily with UV-blocking sunglasses and antioxidant-rich serums like vitamin C.
Poor Lighting
Both low light and harsh glare can strain your eyes. Straining to see in dim conditions leads to fatigue, while bright overhead lights often trigger headaches.
Remedy: Use soft, evenly distributed lighting. Position screens just below eye level, and add glare-reducing task lights.
Underlying Eye Conditions
Tired-looking eyes aren’t always just from lifestyle habits. Issues like chronic dry eye, blepharitis, or uncorrected vision can lead to persistent fatigue and strain. Even subtle muscle imbalances may cause squinting.
Remedy: Don’t ignore persistent eye fatigue—an eye doctor can diagnose the cause and recommend corrective lenses or targeted therapies as needed.