Everything You Need To Deal With A Puffy Face After A Big Night Out
It's easier than dealing with the pounding headache
By Smita DeSouza -
It's the most wonderful time of the year when you’re out every night at a cool new restaurant or bar, celebrating the year end with dear friends, close family and cherished colleagues. It’s all festive cheer and good times till you wake up the next morning with a puffy face. A small price to pay for all the indulgence, we’ve rounded up everything you need to help deal with a swollen, puffy face in the morning after a big night out.
Why do I have a puffy face in the morning after a night out?
While there can be a variety of reasons for a swollen and puffy face in the morning, in this particular instance it can be narrowed down to the dreaded trinity of alcohol, salty food and lack of sleep.
Alcohol works like a diuretic, draining the body of fluids and dehydrating it. This in turn causes the body to hold on to whatever little water is available, also know as water retention. Alcohol also causes the blood vessels to expand, which results in a puffy face.
Sodium in salt swells the blood vessels by pulling water into them and this causes your face to look puffy and swollen, especially around the eyes where the skin is thinner than usual. Not getting enough of sleep can also cause a puffy face.
All of these also cause an underlying inflammation in the body, which further exacerbates the puffiness and swelling. It’s not all doom and gloom though. You can easily enjoy your nights out and use all our helpful tips below to deal with a swollen and puffy face in the morning.
How to de-bloat a puffy face
The key to dealing with a swollen and puffy face is to use the skincare and beauty tools to help soothe inflammation, remove excess fluids and rehydrate the skin. Here’s everything we recommend you have on hand the morning after a big night out.
ELEMIS Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter, $68
Deep cleanse the skin of any remaining traces of makeup and tackle any dullness with this balm that is rich in pumpkin enzymes and acerola cherry. These help to gently smooth and brighten skin while mango butter and chia seed oil counter any drying effects of alcohol to keep skin hydrated and comfortable. If you have the time, spend a few minutes gently massaging the cleansing balm in small circles starting at the centre of your face and moving out towards the hairline, jaw line and ears to draw away any fluid and de-bloat a puffy face.
Shop here
Fresh Vitamin Nectar Anti-Oxidant Glow Water Skin Nutrition Face Mist, $39
Contrary to popular belief, face mists are not just water in a can and this one in particular, is filled with vitamins C, E and B5 along with minerals, lemon and orange extracts. These help hydrate, energise and refresh skin while also fighting any damage from free radicals, making it extremely useful after a big night out. Misting skin also leaves it damp and better placed to absorb the skincare that follows.
Anne Semonin Express Radiance Ice Cubes, $99
These cubes combine cryotherapy and soothing and hydrating botanical extracts to help revitalise skin and restore radiance to a dull and puffy face. Store them in the freezer and apply on the skin to instantly calm skin. The cold helps to constrict blood vessels to reduce inflammation and puffiness, while marine spring water remineralises the epidermis and moisturises skin. Purple tephrosia extract instantly improves the complexion so you look like you had a restful night in.
111Skin Sub-Zero De-puffing Energy Facial Mask, $181
Using a sheet mask really helps to push moisture into the skin to hydrate parched skin and sooth a puffy face after a night out. This biodegradable mask is made with caffeine and a soothing peptide to reduce inflammation and water retention. It also has antioxidant benefits to tackle free radicals caused by alcohol consumption as well as ingredients that boost microcirculation to help revitalise your complexion. Take that much needed nap while it works its magic for 30 minutes.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, $19
Caffeine in skincare helps to constrict the blood vessels and increase circulation. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, which help to improve overall appearance of skin and the look of a puffy face. This eye serum combines caffeine with green tea extract to reduce puffiness under the eyes, boost moisture and improve the look of dark circles.
Clarins V Shaping Facial Lift, $135
Especially formulated to combat the effects of gravity on your skin (read, sagging contours), this serum also helps to minimise water retention and reduce the appearance of a puffy face. It’s got escin from horse chestnut and zerumbet ginger that drain away excess water in the face to reduce puffiness and define contours. It also has hyaluronic acid that keeps skin hydrated and comfortable.
Mount Lai Jade Facial Spa Set, $86
One of the best ways to reduce water retention in a puffy face, is to massage it with your fingers or with a gua sha and jade roller. Jade is a naturally has a cooling effect which feels soothing on puffy skin. The jade roller offers a gentle and relaxing massage as you roll it from the centre of the face out towards the contours thus helping to improve circulation. For a more intense massage, go in with the jade gua sha. Keeping the tool at a 45-degree pull it upward and outward to stimulate lymphatic drainage.
Sunday Riley C.E.O Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer, $106
It’s important to seal in all the goodness of the cooling, soothing products with a moisturiser and this one is packed with a stable version of vitamin C to fight any free radical damage while maintaining optimal levels of hydration. The non-greasy moisturiser also instantly brightens skin and has a satin-skin finish making it the perfect base for makeup. Skin looks healthy and radiant no matter how many drinks you had or what time you slept.