There’s nothing more disheartening than waking up to see a puffy face again. Your face looks bloated and seems to gain five pounds overnight. Various conditions can cause this, from food intolerances to simply being dehydrated. Your diet can also significantly affect how puffy your face is. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to reduce face puffiness, from causes to home remedies and the best products to reduce puffiness fast.
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Causes
Several underlying problems can cause a puffy face. Some short-term solutions can reduce bloating for the day, but finding the underlying cause can help ensure you don’t wake up with a puffy face.
Sleep
Too little sleep tends to cause fluid retention, especially around the eyes. Sleep is when your body heals, making it one of the most important processes. However, given how busy life is, most people don’t get close to eight hours. Make sleep a priority to help reduce puffiness.
Too much sleep can also cause puffiness. The face retains water while you sleep, leading to puffiness. Laying down for long periods tends to increase swelling and bloating. Fortunately, it usually subsides when you spend more time upright.
Sleeping position also impacts the skin. Sleeping flat can increase fluid retention. Consider using a wedge pillow or trying other sleeping positions to learn how to reduce face puffiness naturally.
The back is the best position to sleep for your face. Sleeping on your side can reduce circulation to certain face areas, leading to fluid retention in key locations. Instead, sleep slightly elevated on your back.
Makeup
Sleeping in makeup can cause dermatitis. It’s crucial to wipe away your makeup before you go to bed and do your nightly skincare routine. A makeup remover wipe or Makeup Eraser is a quick option when you don’t have the energy for a full nightly routine.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are another common cause of swelling and inflammation. They may cause redness, but it depends on your allergy. If you have a food allergy, ensure your diet doesn’t include it. For example, if you’re lactose intolerant, avoid anything with cow-based milk. It might not upset your stomach, but it can still wreak havoc on your skin.
Medical Conditions
Various medical conditions can cause swelling, such as infections, autoimmune conditions, broken jaws, or cysts. However, if you’re concerned you have a medical condition, seeing your doctor is crucial. Treating the underlying condition can help address a puffy face.
Allergic Reactions
Swelling and redness may be due to a new product you’re using if you notice it suddenly pop up after using it. Sometimes, a patch test isn’t enough to show an allergic reaction, and you won’t have one until you use the product on your entire face.
Your Period
Your period can cause bloating and puffiness everywhere, including your face. You’ll notice that swelling starts around the time other PMS symptoms appear. Soaking in a bath with Epsom salt is a great way to help reduce bloating.
Your Diet
If you can’t figure out what is causing your puffy face, look at what you ate for dinner or the labels in your fridge. Excess salt makes your body retain more water. Most restaurants and fast food have higher sodium levels than you should consume, which may be the culprit behind your puffy face the morning after eating out.
Treatment
Home Remedies To Depuff Fast
Cold Compresses
Cold compresses are one of the oldest remedies for bags under the eyes. Usually, these bags develop because fluid has built up there. However, this can also happen to your entire face.
Use a cold compress on your face to instantly help reduce puffiness. Don’t have one? Work with what you’ve got. You can also put a washcloth in the freezer to make it cold. Spoons in the fridge work great to reduce puffiness around the eyes. A face roller in the freezer or fridge will give your face the coldness it needs to calm down.
Cucumbers
We’ve all seen pictures of people with cucumbers over their eyes at the spa, but did you know there’s a reason for those cucumber slices? Cucumbers have natural cooling properties to help depuff your face, especially around your eyes.
Caffeinated Tea
Caffeine has natural de-puffing properties; if you love to drink tea, you may already have some on hand. Soak your tea bags in warm water and lay them over your eyes, face, or puffy areas. Caffeinated tea, like black tea, should be used instead of herbal tea.
Hemorrhoid Cream
This one is worth a shot if you have hemorrhoid cream in the cabinet. It’s specially formulated to reduce swelling and instantly help de-puff your face and the area around your eyes.
However, make sure you patch-test the cream before you reach for it in the morning. It can cause irritation if you have sensitive skin.
Facial Massage
A massage is a great way to redirect the fluid that causes swelling. It is a proven way to reduce swelling in the legs and feet, but it can also work for your face. Massage your face or use a facial roller for the same lymphatic massage effect.
Exercise
A quick morning run can help increase circulation throughout your body, including your face. This is a natural way to reduce bloating throughout your body. However, it can take time to work, so it’s not ideal if you need a quick way regarding how to reduce face puffiness.
Drink Caffeine
Drinking caffeine can have a big impact on bloating. It helps reduce swelling because it restricts blood vessels, instantly making them smaller. That’s why most de-puffing products have caffeine in them. If you don’t like coffee, try a cup of black tea in the morning.
Products To Help Depuff Your Face
Ingredients To Look For To Learn How To Reduce Face Puffiness
Specific ingredients are known to reduce puffiness. Some of them can also help with redness and inflammation. Make sure to check for these ingredients when you’re looking for products to reduce swelling:
- Caffeine: When applied topically, caffeine constricts the blood vessels and works fast. Many products designed for under-eye bags already have a healthy dose of caffeine, making this a great option if you’re puffy from not getting enough sleep.
- Aloe vera: Aloe vera’s powerful cooling properties help reduce puffiness and inflammation, making it a great option for people with redness and burning from dermatitis or an allergic reaction.
- Chamomile: Chamomile is also known for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it another great option to reduce inflammation.
- Arnica: Arnica is believed to help reduce swelling and bruising. While this will help if you have a facial injury or inflammation, it won’t always help with swelling due to fluid retention.
Ensure you read the ingredient list on products before you buy them so you purchase one that will help address the underlying cause of puffy skin.
Our Picks
So Awake Radiant Complexion Booster 3-in-1 Hydrating, Brightening, and De-Puffing Facial Moisturizer
A complexion booster is designed to give you the desired results and ingredients your skin needs. Caffeine works hard to de-puff your face. Snail mucin delivers the intense hydration dehydrated skin desperately needs. Infused with turmeric, this moisturizer helps revive dull and lackluster skin for a more radiant appearance.
Why You’ll Love It
- Brightens dark circles
- Depuffs
- Increases radiance
- Hydrating
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
Eye Do All Things Brightening Eye Gel
A specially formulated eye gel with powerful de-puffing ingredients like caffeine to help reduce puffiness for a refreshed, awake look. The built-in steel roller ball makes application easy and works hard to encourage lymphatic drainage and increase circulation. Powerful peptides do their part, too.
Why You’ll Love It
- Amazing applicator
- Soothing, effective ingredients
- Cruelty-free
- Helps reduce the appearance of dark circles
Lifestyle Changes
Certain aspects of your lifestyle can lead to a puffy face. What you eat and drink can significantly impact your skin at a cellular level. Making a few quick changes can significantly impact your appearance when you wake up.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking more water can positively impact your entire body, including your skin. When there isn’t enough, the body clings to water, leading to bloating and puffiness as the cells swell. Ensuring you drink plenty of water daily can help keep your cells smaller, preventing bloating before it happens. If you’re not a fan of plain water, try eating foods with a high water content, like watermelon.
Decrease Salt
Salt can swell the entire body if it is consumed in excess. This common ingredient causes swelling by pulling water into the blood vessels, making them larger. It also helps the body retain excess water instead of eliminating it.
Salt is found in a lot of processed foods and seasonings. Read labels to make sure you’re opting for low-salt foods. Choose a low-sodium option when possible to help reduce bloating. This tip is great for your heart, too!
Alcohol
Try to limit alcohol if you keep waking up puffy. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, making you slightly dehydrated. It also has an inflammatory effect on the body, increasing puffiness. Try to reduce alcohol if you drink a lot.
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a night out, but take extra precautions to ensure you don’t wake up puffy in the morning. Alternate a drink with glasses of water to stay hydrated, or pick up some sports drinks to drink when you’re home for the night. Cooling products can help reduce inflammation the morning after.
Don’t Ignore Allergies
Allergies can make your face puffy, especially around your nose and eyes. Visit the doctor for an allergy test to determine what you must avoid, such as pollen. Invest in an air filter to keep allergens out of your house. Learning how to reduce face puffiness may start with learning how to prevent it before it happens.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Some foods are known for helping the body fight inflammation. Most people associate this with inflammatory conditions in your stomach, but these conditions can cause inflammation everywhere, including your face. Pick up some of these foods the next time you head to the store:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Tea
- Salmon
- Ginger
- Dark chocolate
- Green tea
Incorporating these into your diet can help your entire body feel better, including your face.
Magnesium
Magnesium helps balance the sodium levels in your body. A deficiency can lead to an imbalance, which can appear as bloating in your face or body. Ask your doctor if you could have a deficiency and if supplements are safe for you.
De-Stress
Stress makes the body produce more cortisol. Previously, in evolution, this triggered a bodily response necessary to take action to survive. Modern-day stresses like being burnt out at work don’t require the same response, but the body hasn’t completely caught up. Your body still releases cortisol, which can make your face puffy.
Take time daily to de-stress. Spend a few quiet minutes in your car reading a book if that’s the only quiet place available. Soak in a nightly bubble bath. Consider learning yoga or taking a class you enjoy. It’s important to prioritize time for yourself daily.
How To Reduce Face Puffiness
Face puffiness when you wake up is usually caused by fluid retention while you sleep. This is usually due to lifestyle factors like stress, diet, mild dehydration, or a magnesium deficiency. However, it can also be caused by alcohol or the way you sleep.
Finding the underlying cause is crucial so you can purchase the correct products for fast relief and make the necessary changes to prevent a puffy face. Check out the rest of the site for more information on skincare and makeup!
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