Ever woken up with a swollen face in the morning? Not only does it make you self-conscious, but puffiness can also take up some time in your normal daytime or skincare routine. In an effort to reduce the swelling, you will have to use cooling or soothing products and massage the area before moving on to your skincare. 

If you’re wondering why your face looks puffier or more swollen in the morning than usual, read on. We dive into the potential reasons, as well as a few tips on how to depuff your face. 

You indulge in salty snacks.

Certain foods, especially those rich in sodium can cause water retention and inflammation, resulting in facial puffiness. This is why it is best to stay away from processed foods, potato chips, and ready-to-eat meals. Eating too much salt can also cause a potassium imbalance, which can raise your blood pressure. 

It is impossible to eliminate salt in our diet, but it is recommended to watch what you eat and your portions. You can also add more potassium-rich foods such as tree fruits (avocados, apples, bananas, oranges, bananas), tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.

You constantly stay up late at night.

Not prioritizing sleep or lack of sleep can lead to puffiness, particularly around the eyes. In some cases, the type of pillow you use, your sleeping position, as well as what you eat at night, and your fluid intake could be the ones to blame. It is also important to note that lying down in a horizontal position can cause fluid to redistribute or collect on the face.

The best thing you can do, of course, is to get enough sleep and keep a consistent sleep schedule. The body goes into regeneration mode and repairs daytime damage while you doze off and skimping on sleep robs it of the chance it needs to restore and recover. This is why lack of sleep shows up as dark circles, sallow skin, and low energy. 

Other things that can help include:

• Elevate your head or use two pillows to prevent fluid build-up or uneven dispersal of fluid.
• Sleep on your back, but if you can’t and you’re used to sleeping on your sides, invest in a satin or silk pillowcase. 
• Depuff your face in the morning by keeping chilled tea bags and applying them over the eyes.
• Use an eye cream like Dr. Sylvia’s Brilliant Eye Complex. This wakes up the look of tired eyes and reduces the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, crow’s feet, and wrinkles. 
• Stay hydrated. Always choose water over soda, sugary, and caffeinated beverages.

For further reading: Why Do You Still Have Dark Circles Despite Enough Sleep?

You sit too much and don’t exercise enough.

Regular exercise not only keeps your weight in check and makes you feel good, but also increases blood supply to the skin. It causes the body to excrete salt and water through sweat. This helps keep the water-salt balance in the body low, which can reduce face puffiness. 

This only makes it important to have an active lifestyle. You don’t need to frequent the gym if you don’t want to; you can do brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or dancing. The Sport Singapore (SportSG) and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) recommend at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercises a week for adults.

You’re taking very hot showers.

One important thing to know about hot water is that it increases fluid and blood supply to the face. This can then contribute to a sweaty, red, and puffy face. It can also irritate and inflame your skin, as well as worsen skin conditions like dry skin and eczema. This only makes cold showers ideal, especially if you want to support your skin health and avoid a puffy face.

If you, however, find relief in hot showers, make sure to splash cold water on your face. You can also try a contrast shower, which means alternating between cold and hot showers for three to five cycles and make sure to always end on cold water.

For further: 7 Shower Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Skin

It could be due to an allergy.

Allergies release histamine, which causes dilated blood vessels. This can lead to an increased blood flow in the face or under the eyes, as well as fluid accumulation, itchiness, and runny nose. Allergies can be due to dust, certain foods, medication, or sensitivity to skincare formulations. 

If you think your puffy eyes or face is related to allergies, over-the-counter antihistamines can help. It is, of course, ideal to identify and eradicate or stay away from the allergen. You can also benefit from using a cold compress at night to reduce inflammation or puffiness in the morning. 

The remedies mentioned above can help depuff your face or prevent puffiness every time you wake up. Engaging in a healthy lifestyle helps, which includes taking better care of your skin. Browse through our blog for more skincare tips and recommendations or contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore to book a consultation with our aesthetic doctor.