Droopy, under eye circles are a drag—not only do they reveal last night’s antics but they’ll make you look worn out and old before your time. “Dark circles are caused by three main factors: environment, stress, and genetics,” says Santa Monica-based dermatologist and author of Heal Your Skin Dr. Ava Shamban. We can’t help much with that last part (blame your folks), but we turned to her for tricks on how to solve the age-old issue. Adopt these simple fixes to reveal fresh, younger-looking under eyes. 
Lay off the chips 

“Foods high in sodium tend to cause overall puffiness, especially around the eyes,” Dr. Shamban says. Swap your afternoon Lays pick-me-up for water-based fruits and vegetables that’ll boost hydration. “To flush the excess sodium out of your body, drink more water and sleep with your head elevated to encourage fluids to leave the under eye cavity,” Dr. Shamban suggests. A couple of extra pillows tonight could be the difference between looking like you decided last night’s beer specials were a dare (though these tips will cover up those zombie eyes) and like you spent the evening curled up watchingThe Walking Dead. 
Look for key ingredients 

Taking 15 minutes to inspect the products in the pharmacy aisle isn’t beneficial if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Dr. Shamban recommends keeping an eye out for these all-star ingredients: vitamin E, caffeine, and aloe to treat swelling, alpha lipoic acid to increase circulation, and hyaluronic acid to boost collagen. Try MenScience Eye Rescue Formula ($37,menscience.com) to plump up the thin skin. 
Adjust your lifestyle 

You may be sick of us preaching about the benefits of a good night’s sleep, we get it. But, the truth is, logging 8 hours a night keeps you alert and fresh-faced. Use these tips to secure better rest, and note the reduction in dark circles in the morning. 
Apply a quick fix 

While you wait for these adjustments to become second nature or if 8 hours of sleep seems laughable, here’s an over-the-counter solution that may also spur some chuckles. “You can use Preparation H cream,” Dr. Shamban says. “It has phenyl ephrine, the active ingredient that’ll decrease swelling under the eyes.” Apply a small dab directly to the area a couple times a week to reduce inflammation. 

—Moira Lawler