Crying is so cathartic—it’s nature’s way of releasing all those pent-up feelings. And we’ve all been there, whether those tears are the result of a heart-to-heart with your bestie, a way-too-moving movie, or just one of those days where emotions run high. If you’re dealing with red, puffy eyes after crying and want to get back to regularly scheduled programming, there are a few tips and tricks you can whip out. Take a big, deep breath, grab a cozy blanket if you need one, and let’s get you looking and feeling back to yourself.  

Why Do Eyes Get Red and Puffy from Crying? 

You finish a good cry, glance in the mirror, and realize your eyes are puffy and red. What gives?“Crying leads to fluid retention in the tissues around the eyes, and the vessels around the eyes tend to dilate and cause more redness,” explains Maya K. Thosani, MD, FAAD, FACMS, a board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology in Arizona. 

Tears also contain salt, which can contribute to puffiness by pulling water into the surrounding tissues. Also, if you’re rubbing your eyes or blotting them dry then that can cause more irritation around the area, too. 

“The skin around the eyes is very delicate and sensitive, which can cause irritation and inflammation,” adds Sylvia Brownlee, esthetician and founder of Skin By Brownlee & Co. “Crying also triggers the release of stress hormones which can lead to mild swelling and puffiness due to fluid retention.”

8 Ways to Soothe Red and Puffy Eyes 

Here are a handful of ways to calm post-cry puffiness and redness. 

1. Use a Cold Compress 

Even the thought of applying a cool compress after crying it out sounds satisfying! “Using a cold compress helps constrict the vessels, soothe the red skin, and help decrease the swelling,” Dr. Thosani says. “Chilled cucumber slices, or potato peels can also help.” A chilled face mask or eye masks can do wonders, too! 

2. Try Cryo Tools

Here’s a reason to break out those ice globes again. (Alternatively, a cryoball or other cryotool can work.) “It helps to constrict the blood vessels and reduce swelling,” Brownlee explains. Like a cold compress, the cooling effect soothes irritation and feels especially refreshing after an emotional release. Roll your choice tool in gentle, upward motions around the eye area for a few minutes to help encourage lymphatic drainage.

3. Give Yourself a Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Speaking of lymphatic drainage, Dr. Thosani recommends giving yourself a gentle massage to help reduce fluid buildup and puffiness. Using your ring fingers (or cryotool), lightly tap or sweep from the inner corners of your eyes outward, following the natural contours of your orbital bone. Just be sure to apply minimal pressure—your under-eye skin is delicate, and aggressive rubbing can lead to more irritation. 

4. Rinse Your Eyes with Cold Water 

A nice, cold rinse of water is another way to soothe red, puffy eyes from crying. This is easiest if you don’t have makeup on (or are OK re-doing your makeup). If you need to keep your makeup intact, though, skip this one. 

5. Apply a Caffeine-Based Eye Cream 

There’s a reason you find caffeine in eye creams so often! It’s a natural vasoconstrictor, meaning it constricts the blood vessels and immediately makes eyes look less puffy. (It’s also a great way to target under eye bags). This reverses the effect of crying, which opens the blood vessels. “A moisturizing eye cream with caffeine and hyaluronic acid constricts vessels, tightens the skin, and soothes it after the saline tears have dried out the eyelids,” Dr. Thosani explains.

6. Use Some Eye Drops

For redness and irritation, apply a drop or two of over-the-counter eye drops into your eyes. These can help soothe overworked eyes and restore moisture balance—a must if crying has left your eyes feeling raw or sensitive.

7. Keep Your Head Elevated

If you’re lying down after a crying session, keeping your head slightly elevated can help prevent excess fluid from accumulating around your eyes, Dr. Thosani advises. When you cry, fluid tends to pool in the delicate tissues around your eyes due to gravity and increased blood flow. Simply adding an extra pillow can help a lot. 

8. Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes

Rubbing your eyes can cause more irritation and lead to increased redness and puffiness, Brownee says. If you’re still crying, blot gently with a soft tissue versus rubbing back and forth. Also avoid putting a lot of pressure on the area with your hands.