A puffy face, no matter what the reason, can make people feel self-conscious or uncomfortable. To help to reduce the swelling, start by washing your face with a firming cleanser and rinsing with cold water. Then, apply a cold compress to soothe and reduce some of the puffiness, and let a firming moisturizer sit in the freezer for about 10 minutes before you apply it. Throughout the day, drink as much water as possible and limit your sodium intake to reduce swelling and to prevent puffiness in the future.
Every skin care regimen starts with cleansing the skin, and reducing a puffy face is no exception. Ideally, a cleanser that is meant to firm the skin is best, as the ingredients in these types of products can temporarily tighten the skin on your face, reducing the appearance of puffiness. If you do not have one, you can either purchase another cleanser or use your regular one. When rinsing off any cleanser, make sure that you use cold water. This will help to tighten the skin and reduce some of the puffiness.
Just like swelling in other parts of the body, a cold compress can help to minimize facial bloating. Generally, a washcloth or rag that is wet-down with cold water will work best. To reduce a puffy face, place the cold washcloth on your skin and relax for ten to fifteen minutes before removing it. If swelling is so severe that you feel you need ice packs, you may want to contact your doctor.
The moisturizer that you use, and its temperature, is one of the best treatments for a puffy face. Just like your cleanser, your moisturizer should be meant for firming. A cream or lotion that contains caffeine, which will help to reduce some of the excess liquid causing the puffiness, and cucumber, which is soothing, will generally be best. For an additional dose of coldness in conjunction with a cold water rinse and compress, you can place your moisturizer in the freezer for five to ten minutes to chill it before applying it to your skin. This will not only be refreshing, but will also aid in reducing facial bloating.
Outside of beauty treatments, you should also try to treat the root of the problem when it comes to dealing with a puffy face, which is usually caused by excess sodium. Eating foods that are high in salt can cause you to retain moisture, leading to bloating throughout your entire body. One of the best ways to reduce a puffy face, therefore, is to drink plenty of water to flush the sodium out of your body. Eating clean, natural foods and avoiding processed items that are usually high in sodium can also be helpful, and make your face return to normal as soon as possible.