Reduce Puffy Face: Proven Techniques and Home Remedies

Say Goodbye to Puffy Face: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Reduce Facial Swelling

Have you ever stared in the bathroom mirror, wiped the sleep from your eyes, and thought “why is my face bloated?” Same here.

Contour and conceal as we might, reducing a puffy face means nipping it at the source. 

Problem is, there are a plethora of triggers. 

Armed with the right knowledge, you can combat a bloated face and get back to feeling like your most confident self.  

Today, we’ll share about common causes, how to get rid of a puffy face, and when to consult a pro. Time to kick puff to the curb!

What Causes a Bloated Face?

Before we get to how to reduce a puffy face, let’s look at the pesky culprits causing the issue.

• Dehydration
  

When dehydrated, your body retains water in your blood vessels, causing facial swelling and bloating.

• Carbs and salty foods 

Speaking of water retention, overdoing it on carbs and sodium-dense foods can trigger a buildup of fluids, causing a bloated face.

• Alcohol
  

The same goes for boozy drinks. Alcohol dehydrates the body, so too much of it can cause inflammation and water retention.

• Inadequate sleep
  

Poor sleep doesn't just invite wrinkles — it can  boost inflammation causing your eyelids, under-eyes, and other facial areas to swell.

• Surgery or injury
  

Trauma to the face such as surgery, injury, bruises, or burns, can increase blood flow to the face and result in swelling.

• Medication
  

Some medications, like prednisone and other corticosteroid drugs, cause your face to bloat and get rounder, a condition known as “ moon face.”

• Allergic reaction
  

Allergic reactions can sometimes ignite angioedema, a sudden swelling usually around the face, lips, and throat.

• Medical conditions
  

Other medical conditions that can cause a bloated face are:

• Abscess or tooth infection
• Cellulitis (bacterial infection of skin)
• Cushing’s syndrome (when adrenal glands overproduce cortisol)
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
• Obesity
• Hormonal changes and pregnancy
• Superior vena cava syndrome (obstruction of blood flow to the heart)

So, what can you do when your face puffs up like a marshmallow? Hit the bloat where it hurts. How to Get Rid of a Puffy Face: 10 Expert Tips

Keep reading as we share how to reduce puffy face. While it may take some trial and error, these tips will help you bid adieu to the bloat.

1. Stay hydrated

Given that our body holds onto fluids to combat dehydration, staying well-hydrated will keep puffiness at bay. But that’s not the only way water boosts your glow factor.

In addition to a bloated face, dark circles, dullness, and rough, flaky patches are also signs of dehydrated skin.

Quench your skin’s thirst by meeting your daily water intake goals and moisturizing day and night.

2. Facial massage

Lymphatic drainage massages have grown increasingly popular, and for good reason: hair growth, less wrinkles, and reduced facial swelling, anyone?

Here’s how to reduce puffy face by incorporating a facial massage into your daily skincare routine:

• Wash your hands and cleanse your face
• Apply a moisturizer or facial oil from your face to your neck for lubrication
• With gentle pressure, massage the lymph nodes at the sides of your neck, moving up toward your face in slow, circular motions
• Repeat this process over your cheeks, jaw, forehead, and temples
• Sit back, relax, and bask in your rejuvenated glow

3. Get your beauty sleep

Why is my face bloated in the mornings? Sleep has a lot to do with our complexion.

Stress and poor sleep tell our body to make more cortisol (AKA the famous stress hormone). Too much cortisol wreaks havoc on skin, prompting fluid retention and inflammation. 

The result? That dreaded A.M. face puff.

Keep your stress levels in check, soak up those Zzz’s, and wake up to happy, healthy skin.

4. Get your caffeine fix

Coffee: Morning pick-me-up or skin-boosting ally? Both!

Your daily cup of joe curbs morning crankiness and is a potent weapon in the battle against a bloated face.

Why? Because caffeine is a natural diuretic that flushes excess fluids. Additionally, it constricts blood vessels, which reduces blood and fluid flow, helping to deflate puffiness.

So go ahead and splurge on that fancy oat milk latte — your skin (and taste buds) will thank you.

5. Cosmetic injectables

Injectables like botox and filler target specific areas of the face to add volume, or relax muscles that contribute to a bloated face. 

Kybella, in particular, is a popular injectable for reducing facial swelling. 

Specifically designed to target and destroy fat cells under the chin,  Kybella eliminates excess fat in the area, giving your face a more contoured and chiseled appearance.

Yes, please!

6. Know your food triggers

Sweet and salty snacks are irresistible, but can result in post-snack bloat. While there's nothing wrong with enjoying our favorite treats, being mindful of which foods cause inflammation can help us reduce the swelling. 

As far as how to reduce puffy face, opt for some glow-inducing snacks (strawberries and dark chocolate, anyone?) and keep an eye out for these potential food triggers: 

• Salt
• Alcohol
• Processed meats
• Condiments (particularly sodium-dense)
• Chips and pretzels
• Processed carbs 

7. Use the right skincare

Wondering how to get rid of a puffy face by auditing your beauty counter? Choose skincare products with ingredients your skin needs to thrive and reduce puffiness, such as:

• Hyaluronic acid: a powerful humectant for moisturizing the skin, helping to firm and hydrate, reducing the appearance of puffiness. 

• Vitamin C: an antioxidant that protects, brightens, and evens your complexion while stimulating collagen production.

Investing in a top-notch skincare routine is a non-negotiable for mitigating facial bloating, so don't settle for anything less than the best.

8. Sweat it out

Like facial massaging, working out  stimulates your lymphatic system, removing waste, toxins, and excess fluid from the body. 

Moving your body makes you sweat, which flushes water and salt, promotes blood flow, and fosters healthy weight loss — all factors contributing to a bloated face.

A healthy habit that also reduces facial swelling? Where do we sign up?

9. Try cold therapies

From athletes to A-listers, everyone's buzzing about cryotherapy, and it’s easy to see why. This therapy uses extremely cold temperatures to boost healing and improve your overall health. 

A few of its perks? Reduced inflammation, increased circulation, and a faster metabolism — all culprits that lead to face puffiness. 

You can reap the same benefits without the hefty price tag of a cryo-spa. 

Just grab an ice pack (or some frozen peas) and top off your skincare routine with an icy compress. This will help constrict blood vessels and reduce the bloat, just like cryo does. 

10. Avoid smoking

Smoking can cause inflammation throughout the body, including in the face. It also increases fluid retention, which further exacerbates face puffiness.

If you’re struggling with how to debloat your face and partake in the occasional inhale, you might want to think twice before lighting up.

Not only can kicking the smokes improve facial bloat, but it touts numerous health benefits.

When is it Time to Consult your Doc?

There’s moderate facial bloat and then there’s sudden, extreme facial swelling (think Will Smith in the Movie Hitch, post-shellfish allergy incident).

If you experience the latter accompanied by irritation, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, immobility, or difficulty swallowing, seek immediate medical attention.

De-Puff and Refine with MD Glam!

It’s time to put an end to the exhausting cycle of looking in the mirror and asking  "why is my face bloated?" Use these tips to say hello to more radiant, refreshed, refined, beautiful skin. 

MD Glam’s scientifically-proven anti-aging skincare products support your skin in every way, from puffiness to aging and beyond. 

Don't let a little face bloat deflate your confidence. Ditch the puff and elevate your skincare game with MD Glam today!