These days, most people know that it’s not okay to comment on someone’s appearance. It’s just none of their business, and everyone knows that.
However, there is a sneaky loophole. People might not tell you that your outfit is unflattering or that your hair is messy. Again . . . We’ve all heard a co-worker, barista, or acquaintance say, “You look so tired.” »
It seems harmless enough, even friendly. But what is this comment Really This means that puffy, dark, or bloodshot eyes distract from the rest of your look.
It can definitely affect your self-confidence, and reviving your tired eyes is not as easy as it seems. So, in this article, we share our most trusted ways to brighten your eyes and re-energize your overall experience.
Did you only sleep three hours last night? It doesn’t matter, we have just the advice you’re looking for:
How to Make Eyes Less Tired (Even Without Sleeping)
Before we dive into our favorite products and tools for refreshing tired eyes, let’s take a minute to understand why we look exhausted in the first place.
Knowing the reasons for those sleepy eyes (not the sexy kind) is the first step. Then it is a lot easier to solve the problem, keeping your appearance bright, refreshed and full of life.
What are tired eyes?
Tired eyes are a visual manifestation of fatigue, stress or other environmental factors. Their characteristic appearance comes from water retention, dilated blood vessels, irritation and decreased elasticity of the skin. All of these problems combine to create dull eyes, lacking vibrancy and alertness.
What do tired eyes look like?
Dark circles under the eyes
Bags or swelling around the eyes
Red or bloodshot eyes
Drooping or heavy eyelids
Fine lines or wrinkles are more visible
Dull or dull eye area
Bags under the eyes or water retention under the eyes
What causes eye fatigue?
Lack of sleep
As Lauryn and Michael discussed in the HIM & HER episode with Matthew Walkergood sleep has an impact All. And when we don’t consume enough of it, many physiological processes are interrupted. In this case, the body cannot remove excess fluid or repair skin cells, leaving your eyes puffy and dull.
Additionally, lack of rest can trigger low-grade inflammation, causing irritation and redness. Less than 7 to 9 hours of sleep could give you tired eyes.
High stress levels
As your stress hormone levels increase, so does inflammation. This can impact blood circulation, sleep quality, water retention and even collagen production. Basically, if you’re stressed, the skin around your eyes will bring it out!
Excessive screen time
Using screens for long periods of time can strain your eyes, cause fatigue, and even disrupt your sleep. And looking at a phone or tablet also reduces your blink rate, which can leave your eyes dry and irritated.
We talk more about this in our article, “Prevent skin aging before sitting in front of your personal computer.”
Seasonal allergies
Seasonal allergies release histamine, a chemical produced by your immune system to fight allergens. In your body, histamines can trigger itching, redness, and swelling around the eyes.
Dehydration
When you’re dehydrated, your body has to distribute what little water it has throughout your systems. Naturally, the under-eye area is not a top priority. This can lead to reduced skin elasticity, swelling, and a frizzy, dry appearance that makes the eyes appear tired.
Consumption of salt or alcohol
A high sodium intake can cause your body to retain water, leading to facial swelling. Not surprisingly, alcohol can dehydrate your body. And both can disrupt sleep and increase inflammation, which only makes eye strain worse.
Here’s more about what causes swollen faces and puffy eyes if you’re wondering.
Fluid buildup
Our lymphatic system is responsible for removing excess fluid. But sometimes lymphatic fluid can build up and have difficulty moving through the system. As it builds up, it can leave your face and under-eye area feeling puffy and tired.
Here is a guide to how to do a lymphatic drainage facial at home with The Mint Rollerif you need a little inspiration.
Bad circulation
Poor blood circulation can make blood vessels more visible, contributing to those nasty dark circles. Poor blood circulation can also be linked to slow lymphatic drainage, which can worsen puffiness around the eyes.
Dry eyes
When your eyes aren’t adequately hydrated, it can cause redness, irritation, squinting, and fatigue. It doesn’t just affect the eyeball itself: dryness can also put strain on surrounding muscles, making your eyes look tired and exhausted.
Loss of collagen due to aging
As we age, the structure of our skin deteriorates. Collagen is one of the main proteins that keeps our skin firm and smooth.
That said, when you lose collagen, the skin under your eyes can become thin. This makes dark circles and wrinkles more visible.
Sun damage
The sun is another culprit for collagen breakdown and other damage to structures. This can lead to thin, frizzy skin, but it can also cause hyperpigmentation.
How to make your eyes less tired
Hydration
Rehydration is one of the easiest ways to refresh tired eyes. The more water your body has to circulate, the more likely your eyes are to receive their fair share.
For maximum hydration, try adding TSC beauty salt to your morning water. And if you struggle to drink enough throughout the day, make it more fun with blends and infusions.
Check out this article by Lauryn on how to improve your water for more of our best hydration tips.
Under the eyes
Eye patches are perfect for restoring vibrancy to your eyes. Lauryn likes it cool, and she always has these patches in rotation:
+ Reusable Bare Face Eye Masks (use code SKINNY)
+ Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Patches
At a minimum, they boost hydration and improve circulation, making the under-eye area look plump and even. Some patches go even further by incorporating anti-aging ingredients that promote long-term skin health while keeping your eyes refreshed.
Ice roller
TSC Mint Roller is a super versatile skincare tool. It does everything from sculpting your jawline to reviving tired eyes.
The cold constricts blood vessels and promotes lymphatic drainage, helping to reduce puffiness and create a more even, fresher under-eye area.
Face massager
THE Mint Roll It’s also a great way to reduce stress and work on your skin care goals. Simply roll under your eyes to your temples with the disco balls.
The gentle massage stimulates circulation, promotes lymphatic drainage and relaxes tense muscles, while helping your eyes appear refreshed and awake.
Light therapy mask
Red light therapy is one of our favorite high-tech skincare trends. Lauryn has several light therapy devicesbecause she knows how well, they really work.
This light therapy device designed for your eyes can definitely help reverse that tired look. It stimulates circulation, reduces inflammation and above all promotes the production of collagen for perfectly shiny eyes.
Mouth tape
Even if you feel like if you get enough sleep, that rest may not be as restorative as you think. A major thing that contributes to poor sleep? Mouth breathing.
Good news though: duct tape isn’t just a fad, it’s a game-changing personal care tool. THE TSC mouth strip is hypoallergenic and uses a gentle adhesive to comfortably keep your mouth closed all night. It can help you get a sculpted jawline, reduce snoring, And wake up with brighter eyes.
To learn more about how mouth tape can help, see Tips for Lauryn’s Mouth Duct Tape And Mouth taping for beginners.
Eye cream and serum
Eye creams and serums are generally considered evening skincare must-haves. Even if you want to use an eye product like Agent Nateur Eye Serum before going to bed, you should also have one in your daily routine.
Eye creams like DermInfusions Fill + Repair Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid And Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Cream it is best to use them in the morning. The DermInfusions Fill option is rich in deeply hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. However, Ole Henriksen actually contains yellow pigment to help color correct dark bags and vitamin C to brighten your skin tone.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is non-negotiable.
Our most sensitive skin areas are on our face. Under the eyes included. Use a sunscreen with invigorating and brightening ingredients like caffeine, spirulina maxima, and plankton extract, like TSC Caffeinated Sunscreen.
You should use it every day and reapply it every few hours. This will keep your skin healthy and glowing for as long as possible.
Pro tip: Also consider wearing sunglasses whenever you drive outside to protect these areas. Lauryn loves it.
Corrector
Concealer is a quick way to freshen up tired eyes. Tower 28 Swipe Corrective Serum illuminates without feeling heavy, while Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer gives full coverage and smoothes texture.
Apply a small amount under v bone eyes, blend gently and add a touch to the inner corners for added luminosity. Finish with a light dusting of translucent powder to set and prevent creasing.
Curious about Tower 28? Meet the founder, Amy Liu, talking about her innovative skincare brand.
Wake up your tired eyes with these tips.
Ultimately, eye strain happens to everyone. But they don’t have to stay with you all day! With targeted tips and a little self-care, you can keep your eyes bright, refreshed, and ready to take on whatever the day throws at you.
You can learn more about skin care on the TSC Blog. And, for the best beauty tools and products, explore The skinny confidential shop.
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+ Learn more about Tower 28 directly from the founder, Amy Lui.
++ Discover Lauryn’s skincare restock for 2026.
WAKE UP YOUR EYES:
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