Home remedies can help bring your eyes to life and give them a sparkle. This includes an eye massage, using a cold or warm compress, or trying artificial tears, among other remedies.

Bright, sparkling eyes can communicate a lot about a person. You can take simple steps at home to boost the health and sparkle of your eyes.

Taking good care of your eyes is essential to keep them bright and healthy. The skin around your eyes is important, too.

1. Avoid dry air

Air at high altitudes, in desert climates, and in airplanes can be especially dry. Smoke and wind, hair dryers, and car heaters that blow directly into your eyes can also dry out your eyes.

Avoid dry air if you can, and carry eye drops to help hydrate your eyes when you know you’ll be in a dry environment.

2. Put green tea bags on your eyelids

Placing green tea bags on your eyelids may help reduce swelling and ease discomfort.

According to a 2021 study, the particularly potent polyphenol in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on corneal cells.

To make a green tea compress:

  1. Steep two tea bags in warm water.
  2. Let the tea bags cool completely, or put them in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
  3. Once cooled, lie down, close your eyes, and place them on your eyelids for 10 minutes.

3. Up your intake of omega fatty acids

According to a 2019 review, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements may have a limited effect on dry eye syndrome. But the evidence is inconsistent and inconclusive.

Try to increase your dietary intake of these fatty acids to keep your eyes healthy before reaching for supplements. Some food sources of omega fatty acids include:

If you’re not getting enough omega fatty acids from your diet, consider taking a daily supplement.

4. Try using rose water

A 2023 review on rose extract shows it has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. It may also help with skin repair and offer pro-aging properties.

Apply a few drops of rose water to your eyes with an eyedropper. You can also dab your eyelids with a cotton ball soaked in rose water to reduce swelling or puffiness.

You can purchase rose water from:

  • health food stores
  • organic retailers
  • online

Talk with your eye doctor before using rose water on your eyes.

5. Use cucumbers to avoid puffiness

Cucumber juice has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and vitamin C, which may soothe tired skin and eyes.

  1. Cut two clean cucumber slices about a half-inch thick.
  2. Lie down, close your eyes, and apply a slice to each eyelid for 15 minutes.

6. Try an eye massage

A massage around your eyes may help improve lymph drainage and boost circulation. This may ease inflammation and reduce the appearance of dark circles under your eyes.

To perform an eye massage:

  1. Use your index and middle fingertips to gently tap in a circle around your eyes to help increase blood flow to the area.
  2. Start along your eyebrows, then move your fingertips outward to the edge of your eyes, and down along the top of your cheekbones, moving inward toward the bridge of your nose.
  3. Circle your eyes three times with your fingertips.
  4. Use your middle fingers to press upward on either side of your nose, right below your brow bone.
  5. Use your middle fingers to press inward toward your nose, next to your tear ducts.
  6. Avoid pulling or dragging your skin while moving your fingertips around your eye area.
  7. Repeat this massage for 30 or more seconds to wake up the area around your eyes.

7. Get good quality sleep

If you aren’t getting adequate sleep, your eyes will likely show signs of fatigue and sleep deprivation. Aim to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep nightly.

According to a review published in 2018, exposure to artificial light, especially close to bedtime, may negatively affect your eye health and sleep cycle.

You may want to put electronic devices away well before bedtime to help you sleep well and prevent eye problems.

Try sleeping with your head slightly elevated to avoid waking up with puffy eyes and prevent fluid accumulation under your eyes.

8. Protect your eyes from the sun

Protecting your eyes from the sun may prevent dry eyes and reduce your risk of sunburn on your eyelids or the sensitive skin under your eyes.

Consider wearing wraparound sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection when exposed to direct sunlight. You can add safety shields to the sides to block wind and dry air.

9. Drink plenty of water

Hydration is important for overall health, and it may be particularly important for your eyes and skin.

Try to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water — or more — daily to ensure your body has enough moisture to keep your eyes and skin lubricated and hydrated.

How much water you need, however, varies by:

  • person
  • where you live
  • your levels of exercise

10. Take eye breaks

If you do work that requires visual concentration, like reading or looking at a computer screen, take eye breaks at least once every 20 minutes. Visually focusing on one area for too long may dry, tire, or irritate your eyes.

Try closing your eyes for a few minutes or follow the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes a break.

Blinking quickly and often for a few seconds can help spread your eye’s natural tears evenly over your eyes’ surface.

11. Use eye drops or artificial tears

Your eyes become more prone to dry eye syndrome as you get older. Other triggers of dry eyes include:

You may want to try over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops, or artificial tears, if your eyes become dry and irritated often. A few drops can help hydrate your them.

You can buy OTC eye drops containing humectants (substances that help retain moisture), lubricants, and electrolytes at a pharmacy and online.

If those don’t help, talk with your eye doctor about prescription eye drops.

12. Cut back on salty foods

Too much salt (sodium) may cause your body to retain water. Water retention has an inflammatory effect, which may result in eye puffiness. Consuming too much salt may also increase your blood pressure.

Try to limit your sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams (2.3 grams) daily — the equivalent of 1 teaspoon — to prevent water retention and keep your blood pressure under control.

13. Use a cold compress

If your eyes feel puffy or swollen, try using a cold compress. Holding a washcloth soaked in cold water to your eyes for 10 minutes may soothe them and ease inflammation.

Eyes that sparkle are often a sign of health and vitality. Many home remedies may boost eye health. These include trying a cold or warm compress, cucumbers or rose water, artificial tears, and eye protection, among others.

When your eyes are healthy, nourished, and well-rested, they’ll likely have a natural sparkle.