How to Naturally Unpuff Your Face in the Morning

Co-authored by Asmi Sanghvi, DO and Madeleine Criglow

Last Updated: June 24, 2022 References

Waking up in the morning with a puffy face is pretty common. Luckily, there are lots of easy ways you can reduce the swelling! In this article, we'll walk you through several tips and tricks you can use to un-puff your face before you head out for the day. At the end, we'll touch on some lifestyle changes you can try to prevent face puffiness in the future!

1

Splash your face with cold water.

Download Article

This can leave your skin with a more even, toned appearance. It may help you wake up, too!^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Asmi Sanghvi, DO
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.} Just splash cold water on your face for about 60 seconds and gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel.^{[2]
X
Research source}

2

Massage your face gently.

Download Article

This stimulates blood circulation and reduce fluid retention. Apply moisturizer or face oil first, then use your fingertips to gently massage your skin in circular motions, moving upward and outward from the center of your face. Avoid vigorous rubbing since that can irritate your skin.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- You probably already know that ice reduces swelling, but did you know that it can also reduce puffiness in your face?
- For even better results, cover a cube in thin cloth and perform your massage using your wrapped ice.

3

Treat puffy eyes with cold spoons.

Download Article

Chill 2 spoons in the fridge for 15-30 minutes. Then, lie down and place the spoons over your eyes for 10-15 minutes. The cold directly on your eyelids should help reduce any swelling back to normal levels.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

JoAnn Solomon
Master Beauty Consultant & Celebrity Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 8 September 2020.}
- If this is a recurring problem, keep the spoons in your fridge overnight.
- If you're in a hurry, wrap ice cubes in a clean towel and apply them to your eyes.
- You can also apply cold cucumber slices on puffy eyes. Some believe that cucumber contains additional nutrients good for skin, but there is a small risk of eye infection from bacteria on the vegetable's surface^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  JoAnn Solomon
  Master Beauty Consultant & Celebrity Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 8 September 2020.}

4

Try warm tea bags to sooth puffy eyes.

Download Article

The warmth soothes your skin and relieves tension. Steep green tea bags in hot water for 3-4 minutes. Wait 10-20 minutes until they're cool enough to touch. Then, place the bags over your eyes for 15-20 minutes. While cold is generally more effective for reducing swelling, heat can soothe sore areas and relieve tension.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

JoAnn Solomon
Master Beauty Consultant & Celebrity Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 8 September 2020.}
- The caffeine constricts blood vessels which can also lessen the swelling.^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Johns Hopkins Medicine
  Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
  
  Go to source}

5

Start your day with a glass of water.

Download Article

Dehydration can make your eyes especially puffy! Downing 1 cup (240 mL) of water first thing in the morning can help rehydrate you and reduce swelling.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

6

Apply moisturizer every day.

Download Article

More moisture may be just what your skin needs. Moisturizer helps unpuff your face by increasing your skin's moisture barrier.^{[9]
X
Expert Source

Asmi Sanghvi, DO
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.} The moisture barrier helps keep irritants and allergens from coming into contact with your skin, both of which can increase puffiness in your face.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- To pick the right moisturizer for you, determine if your skin is normal (not too dry or too oily), dry (flaky or prone to itch), oily (prone to grease and frequent breakouts), sensitive (vulnerable to allergic reactions), or a combination (different parts of the face are dry and oily).^{[11]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}

7

Drink plenty of water every day.

Download Article

Adults need to drink 11.5 to 15.5 cups (2.7 to 3.7 liters) of fluids a day. You can avoid dehydration by drinking fluids (preferably water) every time you feel thirsty. Eating foods that contain a significant amount of water, like watermelon and spinach, can also help to hydrate you.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Dehydration causes water retention, which leads to swelling.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages since they can dehydrate you.^{[13]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}

8

Sleep on your back, not your side.

Download Article

That way, you aren't putting pressure on your face when you sleep. If you don't want to give up your favorite sleeping position, switch to a softer pillow! A pillow without a lot of cushion can press against your face and cause it to swell.^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- For example, try a soft, conforming pillow made of down or feathers.^{[15]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Harvard Medical School
  Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
  
  Go to source}
- If you'd rather not use down, soft cotton or synthetic cotton works, too.

9

Elevate your head at night.

Download Article

Sleep on your back with another pillow under your head/neck at night.^{[16]
X
Expert Source

Asmi Sanghvi, DO
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.} Be sure to raise your neck as well as your head! Sleeping with a bent neck can cause neck and back strain.^{[17]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

10

Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night.

Download Article

Your body needs sleep to repair and restore itself each night. Sleep helps reduce swelling in your face by stimulating collagen growth. Chronic sleep deprivation can also increase the production of the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone breaks down collagen, which you need to keep your skin looking smooth and firm.^{[18]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep. Teens need 8-10 hours.^{[19]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}

11

Reduce your salt consumption.

Download Article

Salt causes water retention, which can lead to swelling in your face. Make sure you aren't exceeding your daily sodium limit and cut back if you do!^{[20]
X
Expert Source

Asmi Sanghvi, DO
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.} The American Heart Association recommends each person get 2,300 milligrams a day (1 teaspoon).^{[21]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Replace salty foods like potato chips and French fries with healthier alternatives such as sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and low-sodium pretzels.

12

See a doctor if the swelling doesn't ease up.

Download Article

If only part of your face is swollen, keep an eye on it. If it doesn't go away, or if it feels painful when you press on it, visit a doctor. This may be due to an allergic reaction, bug bite, or eye infection. Your doctor can treatment the underlying condition.^{[22]
X
Trustworthy Source

MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine

Go to source}
- Swollen areas near the jaw are often caused by an infected tooth.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I stop my face from puffing up?

Asmi Sanghvi, DO
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Asmi Sanghvi is a Board Certified Dermatologist based in New York, New York. She specializes in general and cosmetic dermatology and has a passion for educating others. Dr. Sanghvi has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and Cutis. She holds a BS in Human Communication Sciences from Northwestern University and a DO from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Asmi Sanghvi, DO

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

If you want to want to avoid waking up with a puffy face, especially after a late night snack or high consumption of salt, try sleeping on an extra pillow.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 2
Question

What is the best warm compress for eye?

Asmi Sanghvi, DO
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Asmi Sanghvi is a Board Certified Dermatologist based in New York, New York. She specializes in general and cosmetic dermatology and has a passion for educating others. Dr. Sanghvi has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and Cutis. She holds a BS in Human Communication Sciences from Northwestern University and a DO from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Asmi Sanghvi, DO

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Try using caffeine to increase circulation and detox your skin. Brew unflavored black tea for 10 minutes, discard the tea and add another cup of boiling water for 10 more minutes. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, soak a soft cloth in the infusion, wring it out, and apply the compress for 20 minutes.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 0
Question

Is massage good for puffy eyes?

Asmi Sanghvi, DO
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Asmi Sanghvi is a Board Certified Dermatologist based in New York, New York. She specializes in general and cosmetic dermatology and has a passion for educating others. Dr. Sanghvi has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and Cutis. She holds a BS in Human Communication Sciences from Northwestern University and a DO from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Asmi Sanghvi, DO

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Yes, definitely! An oil massage can do wonders by hydrating the skin and pushing down the excess fluids into your lymph nodes in your neck.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

If swelling occurs in the days before your period, try these tactics for reducing PMS bloat.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

While most morning puffiness is no cause for concern, some medical conditions can cause swelling. Call a doctor if the swollen area is red or tender; if you have a fever; if your breathing is affected; or if the swelling is painful, severe, or gets worse over time.^{[23]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0