Asian woman wearing a towel on her head, touching her cheek.

Having a bloated face can be a blow to the self-esteem. Although usually temporary, bloating can make you feel sluggish and less attractive. It’s normal to feel bothered by such things and want to address the problem ASAP, but what if we told you that you’re already doing something about it by simply going about your usual routine?

What Causes a Bloated Face?

Facial bloating can occur due to various reasons. One common culprit is water retention, which can be triggered by high sodium intake, hormonal changes, or certain medications. Maybe you had a giant serving of fries or are about to get your period? Both can cause temporary puffiness. Meanwhile, a massive hangover is usually accompanied by bloating since also causes fluid retention.

Other causes include , stress, , and inflammation from allergies. Read: swelling can be your skin’s reaction to certain ingredients in makeup, perfume, and other cosmetics. If your bloated face comes with discoloration or discomfort, see your doctor immediately for proper treatment.

Bloated Face? Your Skincare Routine Can Help

Although facial bloating eventually subsides, practicing your usual skincare routine can help hurry it along. There’s no need to visit your go-to gua sha expert or fantasize about buccal fat removal. You can slowly reduce puffiness by doing the following.

Wash your face to reduce skin inflammation.

Proper , that is, using a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type and addresses its needs, can help reduce inflammation. Aside from getting rid of dirt and bacteria that may exacerbate issues like acne, washing your face with cold water also reduces puffiness.

Apply gentle pressure to boost circulation.

The process of can calm a bloated face. Take an oil-based balm and massage it all over your cheeks, forehead, and chin using upward motions. Like the gua sha or jade roller, the movement of your fingers can stimulate blood circulation and reduce puffiness. When you're done, rinse the oil and move on to your water-based facial wash.

After cleansing, apply a revitalizing night cream like POND'S NEW YORK Bright Brilliance Night Serum Essence Niacinamide. This product brightens, refines, and renews the skin, making it more supple. It contains resveratrol, which contributes to collagen production, giving you a smoother and more lifted appearance with regular use.

Use eye cream to soothe your peepers.

Most eye creams have ingredients that de-puff the undereye area and . Therefore, using any eye cream as part of your skincare routine reduces bloating by making your peepers look . Try POND'S Age Miracle Anti-Aging Eye Cream with Prebiotics and Blur Technology to reduce wrinkles. It delivers all these benefits plus brightening so you can wake up with radiant peepers every day.

Finish with sun protection to prevent premature aging.

Overexposure to can also trigger an inflammatory response in your skin, causing it to retain more water and swell up in severe cases. Abroad-spectrum SPF prevents from UVB rays and from UVA rays. It decreases the likelihood of facial bloating from inflammation or related skin issues.

Skin care alone can’t 100% prevent or eliminate puffiness. If you’re dealing with a bloated face, consider adjusting your lifestyle, too. Avoid food triggers, stay hydrated, sleep well, and exercise daily. If you’re chronically bloated, visit your doctor to rule out underlying conditions. In the meantime, keep your chin up – because you’re awesome and it highlights your .