Puffy eyes? That's why your face swells overnight

For a chronic problem morning puffiness, I became an expert in methods for removing bloating (read: gua sha, icing and facial massage). Although the tools in my arsenal reduce my puffy look in the morning, I still want to know why my face is puffy in the first place. To find out what happens when my head hits the pillow and how prevent puffiness to prevent this from happening, I turned to a certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King and a licensed cosmetologist and beauty director in Skinny Medspa Patricia Giles. 

Why does swelling occur 

Even though I'm most comfortable sleeping on my side or back, it turns out that my sleeping position can be the cause of my morning puffiness. “Laying down while sleeping allows fluid to redistribute and settle in dependent areas due to the force of gravity and pressure,” says Dr. King. "For example, if you sleep on one side, it's likely that the side of your face on the pillow will be more puffy than the other." 

While sleeping position is a common cause of morning swelling, there are other factors to consider, such as hormonal fluctuations, water retention after drinking a lot of salt or alcohol, and seasonal allergies. 

As for why my eyes tend to be the area of ​​my face that swells the most? Giles explains that this is due to the delicate nature of the area. “The physiology of the eye contour area is unique compared to the rest of the face – it shows the most signs of fatigue because it is the most stressed and fragile area,” she says. “We blink about 10,000 times a day to keep our eyes hydrated and working properly, but lymph can build up overnight, which is responsible for transporting waste out of the blood.” This fluid retention then manifests itself as swelling of the lower eyelid. And although it usually subsides during the morning, swelling may persist depending on the circulation. 

How to prevent puffiness 

The easiest way to deal with facial swelling is to change your sleep patterns both in position and in the environment. “To avoid puffiness, it’s best to sleep on your back with an extra pillow to keep your face elevated and improve fluid circulation,” says Giles. "I also recommend hypoallergenic pillows, changing sheets regularly to avoid dust, and avoiding a central heater in the winter because it can dry out and irritate the eyes, leading to puffiness." 

Dr. King adds that making changes to your diet and skin care regimen can also help reduce the chance of nighttime swelling. She suggests drinking more water and eating less salt to prevent water retention. Another idea? Include caffeinated eye cream in your morning and evening skincare routine. She recommends Conventional caffeine solution. We also love SkinCeuticals AGE Eye Complex and L'Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in Concealer. If you suspect that your puffiness may be due to hormones or allergies, check with your doctor. Oral contraceptives or antihistamines may help. 

Photo: Shante Vaughn