Do cucumbers help reduce puffy eyes?

My garden is overflowing with cucumbers. In addition to eating them, should I also use them in home facials? What does the science say?

My garden vegetables are loving the recent rains here in Atlanta and I am up to my eyeballs in cucumbers! I’ve been eating them every day sliced up in salads, as a scoop for hummus, and pickled with onions. But, what else can I do with them?

Thinking of eyes and cucumbers inspired the topic for today’s post: the cosmetic and medicinal uses of cucumbers. Do cucumber slices on the eyes really reduce swelling and puffiness around the eyes? Let’s find out.

What causes puffy eyes?

According to a post on the Johns Hopkins Medicine website, puffy eyes (or eye bags) can occur due to any of the following reasons:

High-salt diet: Eating a lot of salty foods causes you to retain water and leads to swelling.

Allergies: Congestion and inflammation from allergies can sometimes exacerbate under-eye puffiness.

Medical conditions: Some health conditions such as thyroid problems can cause the eyes to become swollen.

Genetics: Having under-eye bags can be a physical characteristic that runs in your family. 

Natural aging process: Loss of firmness in the skin and muscles happens as you age.

What does the science say about cucumbers?

The scientific name of the cucumber is Cucumis sativus, and this plant belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Like other popular crops, there are many varieties in cultivation. The cucumber fruit is primarily composed of water (96.4%), with the remaining parts comprising carbohydrates, proteins, fat, minerals, phosphorus, calcium, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin B. Beyond these major constituents, cucumber fruits are also rich in phytochemicals such as caffeic acid (natural molecules produced by the plant for its defense and to encourage pollination and seed dispersion). These phytochemicals are responsible for the color, aroma, flavor, and medicinal properties of cucumbers.

There have been many scientific studies that have evaluated the pharmacological properties of cucumbers in a lab setting. Here are just a couple major findings of relevance to skin and eye health highlighted in a comprehensive review article on the subject.

• Antioxidant activity has been noted in studies on the fruit juice, pulp, and seeds.

• Antiwrinkle and anti-aging activity has been studied in the fruit and other plant parts using lab tests for sun protection, elastase activity, and hyaluronidase activity (all important factors when considering anti-aging formulas).

Other studies have examined the antimicrobial, ulcer protective, anti-parasitic, and antidiabetic properties.

Regarding other plant ingredients, phytochemicals such as caffeine have proven helpful in reducing swelling because caffeine restricts blood vessels. This is why wet tea bags are another popular home remedy for puffy eyes. Cucumbers do not have caffeine in their suite of phytochemicals.

The importance of temperature

As I mentioned above, cucumber pulp is primarily made up of water, enriched with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and caffeic acid. These components—especially when chilled—provide a soothing sensation to the skin while reducing inflammation and swelling. Cold compresses, in general, can lessen inflammation and swelling around the eyes by gently reducing blood flow to the site. Really, you could use a number of things from your kitchen (refrigerated spoons, an ice pack, a bag of frozen peas) on your face over closed eyes to reduce swelling.

What about clinical trials in humans?

I was unable to find any rigorously performed clinical trials on the utility of cucumber slices in reducing puffy eyes. Still, I did see one interesting study conducted with breast cancer patients receiving radiation.

In this study, cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy were given a prophylactic treatment of a cucumber cream for topical application to the skin. Radiation dermatitis is common among patients receiving radiotherapy. The study found that while there were no significant superior outcomes, patients using this cream experienced some benefits in skin recovery following radiation.

How to create a cucumber eye-mask

1. Prepare by cleaning your face, chilling a cucumber in the refrigerator, and setting up a comfortable reclining area.

2. Slice two 1/2-inch thick pieces from the cucumber. Save the rest to add to your next meal.

3. Lie down, placing a cucumber slice on each eye.

4. Relax for 15-20 minutes, flipping the slices if they become warm.

5. After the timer finishes, remove the cucumber slices and rinse your face with cool water. Repeat as needed and seek medical advice if puffiness persists.

The Takeaway

Whether you enjoy them on your plate or your face, cucumbers have much to offer! I love growing them as an organic vegetable at home to have a fresh supply of crisp cucumbers ready. If you buy them from the store, wash or peel the skin to prevent exposure to residual pesticides or other agrochemicals.

Yours in health, Dr. Quave

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Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a scientist, author, speaker, podcast host, wife, mother, explorer, and professor at Emory University School of Medicine. She teaches college courses and leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription, with founding members receiving an autographed 1st edition hardcover copy of her book, The Plant Hunter.