There’s nothing more annoying than waking up with unwanted face bloat. It can happen for a number of reasons, from snacking on salty foods, to getting a bad sleep, to having a few too many alcoholic drinks before bed. When too much fluid collects under your skin, it causes your face to swell and become puffy. If you’re tired of waking up with a puffy face, here are a few diet and lifestyle tips to help decrease face bloat!
What Causes Face Bloat?
1. Drinking Alcohol
Drinking alcohol before bed can lead to dehydration and puffiness the next morning. Alcohol’s dehydrating effect causes your skin to hold onto any water it has, creating symptoms like swelling and redness. If you’re going to be drinking before bed, make sure to drink lots of water to curb dehydration.
2. Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies lead to congestion, which can cause increased inflammation in the skin, and especially in the face. Pollen, dust and animal dander can cause sneezing and have you rubbing your eyes before bed, which can result in you waking up looking puffy. You can try taking an antihistamine before bed to help with this, as well as using air filters, changing your pillowcases and dusting and vacuuming often.
3. Poor Sleep
When you sleep, your body is able to recharge and repair itself. A restless sleep can leave you with a puffy, swollen face. Try to minimize stress and anxiety before bed by turning off screens an hour or two before you go to sleep, read a book and try a calming tea or relaxing yoga. Get to bed at the same time each night so your body can get into a rhythm and enjoy a deeper sleep.
4. Salty Foods
Salty foods retain water in your body, making your face puffy the next morning if consumed too close to bedtime. While a bowl of chips or plate of nachos may seem like a good idea at the time, you’re sure to pay for it the next day. Your body holds on to extra fluid in an attempt to dilute the salt. Cut back on these types of foods before bed, and if you do eat them, make sure to drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated.
5. Crying Pre-Sleep
If you have a cry session before going to bed, there’s a really good chance you’ll wake up with puffy eyes. This is due to a temporary condition called periorbital edema. It happens when the salt in your tears irritates the skin around your eyes and results in swelling.
5 Natural Remedies to Reduce Face Bloat
1. Green Tea (and Food)
Green tea is a great way to wake up in the morning and kick-start your system. The water will hydrate your body, and green tea contains polyphenols, which attack fat cells and protect the skin from free radical damage. Incorporating greens at every meal will reduce puffiness and bloating.
2. Cucumber
Cucumber slices can de-puff your eyes, reduce swelling and stimulate antioxidant activity. Cucumber’s cooling effect can give your skin a refreshed look and its high water content can moisturize the area under the eyes. Cucumbers are rich in vitamin C, which “wakes up” the skin and folic acid, which stimulates antioxidants that help your skin fight off environmental toxins that make your skin appear puffy.
3. Use a Gua Sha Stone
Give yourself a lymphatic drainage massage with a gua sha stone in order to refresh your face. Start at the centre of your face and work outward to the side of the face and then down to the ear and neck (where the lymph nodes are). You want to create a draining effect. Start with your forehead, moving 5 times from the centre to the side of the face, then down to the ear and neck. Repeat on the rest of your face, making sure to use a delicate touch.
4. Smart Diet with Potassium
Stay away from processed, salty snacks such as chips, canned soup, pizza, deli meats and processed cheese. Try to stay hydrated throughout the day and up your intake of potassium-rich foods including apples and tomatoes. Potassium is an essential electrolyte for the functioning of all your cells, as it helps control the water you retain.
5. Cold Water
Cold temperatures are a total saviour when it comes to de-puffing your face. Try washing your face with cold water, using an ice roller or applying a cold compress. The coldness constricts blood vessels and minimizes swelling, reducing face bloat instantaneously.
5 Tips to Hide Face Bloat with Makeup
1. How to Slim Your Face with Makeup | Sagonia Lazarof
If you want to de-puff your face using makeup, check out these face slimming tips! This is a contour and highlight routine that makes it look like you’ve lost weight in your face. She uses products like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Foundation Stick, Tarte Shape Tape and the Kat Von D Shade and Light Palette. If you want tips to slim out your bloated face, this tutorial is for you!
2. Wear Earth-Toned Makeup
Applying neutral, earth-tone makeup to your eyes, cheeks and lips is a smart way to keep the eyes moving. If you wear a bold eye or lip colour, people are likely to be instantly pulled in. Colour draws attention, so if you’re peeling puffy, neutral tones are the way to go.
3. Fix Puffy Face with Makeup | Tips and Tricks to Reduce a Puffy Looking Face | Beauty Banter
This combination of products, tips and tricks will help slim the look of your face, while allowing you to maintain natural, glowing skin. Not only does she show you how to apply makeup for a puffy face, she also offers up some techniques and skincare she uses to help de-puff. To get the look, you’ll need products such as the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Foundation, Milani Baked Blush and the Too Faced Peach Blur Translucent Finishing Powder.
4. Sculpt with Blush
Use a blush with a slight brown undertone to help sculpt your face. Brush it under your cheekbones up to the middle of each ear and blend out towards the apples of your cheeks. This will give you a healthy glow and works like contour in a more subtle way.
5. Strobing
Strobing is a simple technique that involves illuminating strategic spots on your face to give your skin a bright, healthy look. Apply highlighter on spots where light naturally hits your face, such as the bridge of the nose, the highest points of your cheekbones, over the arch of your brows, cupid’s bow and the middle of your forehead. Keep highlighting to the centre of your face and you’re sure to look amazing!
If you’re tired of dealing with face bloat, try these tips, tutorials and products to calm a puffy face!