Exactly What to Do If You Wake Up With a Puffy Face

So you woke up with a puffy face. Now what? The good news is that not all hope is lost for the rest of the day; a few smart strategies can help your skin bounce back quickly. To set the record straight on why you may be puffing up (plus, how to prevent this from happening again in the future), we consulted the experts. Here are their best tips for combating a puffy face first thing in the a.m.

What Causes a Puffy Face?

"People wake up looking puffy for many different reasons," said Margarita Lolis, MD, a dermatologist in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Possible causes of a swollen face:

• Poor sleep
• Seasonal allergies
• Sinus infection
• Intense skincare regimen
• Cushing syndrome
• Tooth infection
• Crying the night before
• Salty snacks
• Dehydration
• Alcohol
• Hormonal imbalance
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Mumps
• Pink eye
• Rosacea
• Steroid treatment

However, if skin puffiness resembles swelling with discoloration, you should see your doctor ASAP. A dangerous bacterial skin infection called cellulitis can cause redness and swelling and may require a trip to the emergency room, said Dr. Lolis.

How To Quickly Nix Puffiness

When you wake up and realize your face is puffy, the first thing you should do is rinse with cool or lukewarm water and sit with a cold compress on, said Sejal Shah, MD, a dermatologist in New York City.

Drinking plenty of water can help, too, but exercising will take your recovery a step further—the combination of sweating and replenishing water helps balance salt and water in your body, explained Dr. Shah.

If puffy eyes are your main concern, try Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels to combat undereye puffiness, a top pick of dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD.

To buy: Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels

Prevent Yourself From Waking Up Puffy

It's important to hydrate throughout the day, said Dr. Waldorf, especially if you are sensitive to salt—you may even want to avoid it if you have an event or special occasion approaching. Prop yourself up with at least two pillows while you sleep so that water isn't pooling in your face. And if it's allergy season, be sure to take an antihistamine.

Use Makeup To Disguise a Puffy Face

When using makeup to conceal puffiness, makeup artist David Scott recommends contouring. To create the illusion of a thinner face, use an angled brush to apply a matte bronzer like Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer from ear to ear along your jawline and in the hollows of your cheeks just below your cheekbones.

Scott's pro tip: Use a concealer that isn't too much lighter than your skin tone—usually lighter is good for brightening, but in this case, it will have the opposite effect and draw more attention to puffiness, said Scott.

To buy: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer