When trying to determine the age of a woman, more often than not, the “eyes” have it. That is, if a woman has puffy eyes, it can make her look older than her years. As we age, the delicate skin around our eyes gets thinner and more flexible. It sags and can fill with fluid or fat, creating unsightly bags and circles. The fluid tends to accumulate more when you sleep, which is why you may find that even when you get a good night’s rest, you still wake up with puffy, tired-looking eyes.

Everyone has seen pictures of women with cucumber slices over their eyes in hopes it will give them a more youthful appearance. But does that home remedy work? Believe it or not, cucumber slices really will give you a quick fix for your eyes if you’ve had too little sleep or a good cry the night before. Cucumber slices are made up mostly of water and most people stick them in their refrigerator to keep fresh. It’s the coolness of the cucumber than reduces the bags, nothing in the cucumber itself. Because the cucumbers are so hydrated, they tend to hydrate the skin, as well, which also helps to reduce under-eye bags.

You can also buy fluid-filled skin masks to reduce the bagginess beneath your eyes. Anything cool should do the trick. Some women swear by tea bags, which they throw in their freezer and take out when ever their eyes need a freshening up.

Gently tapping the puffy skin beneath your eyes may encourage the fluid to dissipate and remember to drink plenty of water. Drinking water flushes the system and prevents “bloating” even in your face. Avoid foods high in salt and excessive alcohol consumption, which can lead to water retention.

One home remedy you should not use, but one that a multitude of women have tried, is hemorrhoid medications. Some women are allergic to this cream and have reported irritation and burning around their eyes. It’s never a good idea to use a product for your eyes that was intended for a far different purpose. The skin around your eyes is extremely delicate, which is why care should be taken when using home remedies. Cucumbers and other cooling agents are safe and effective to use. But there are over-the-counter products that, in addition to reducing puffiness around the eyes, also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and keep skin healthy.

It’s probably a good idea if you are going to moisturize around your eyes that you buy high-quality products. As women, we tend to take much more care putting on make-up than taking it off. But some products, such as soap, are not the best bet for removing makeup. Look for eye-makeup removal products with gentle ingredients, such as glycerin and aloe vera. Any product that is specifically developed for contact wearers will likely contain gentle and soothing ingredients that will not damage the skin around your eyes.

In general, when you are buying eye cream, there are some key ingredients you should look for. A good eye cream will contain several vitamins, including A and E, as well as elastin, which firms the skin around the eyes, and glycerin, which keeps it hydrated.

Toners can also be used around the eyes, and is especially useful for the mature woman’s eyes, as they help the skin retain moisture.