Ad Affiliate throughout: Hello, today I'm going to talk about de-puffing the skin because if you’re anything like me, sometimes you wake up, look in the mirror and think… 'Why do I look like I’ve cried all night!' Puffy, red, irritated skin? It seems to be my middle name at the moment and I'm determined to solve it! If you're looking for de-puffing skin tips, this should help you.
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Whether it’s weather, stress, lack of sleep, hormones, wine (oops), salty food or a skincare experiment gone wrong, my skin can go from glowy to grumpy overnight. So I thought it was about time we chatted about what actually works to calm the skin and de-puff our faces fast!
💦 Why does the skin go puffy in the first place?
So many things can cause irritated, inflamed, or puffy skin:
Overdoing actives (I see you, retinol + exfoliants combo - you really can go too hard on these things)
Allergic reactions or sensitivity to ingredients
Hormonal changes - definitely one for me
Not enough sleep or too much stress - another one for meEnvironmental factors (harsh weather, pollution, central heating, travel)
Too much salt or sugar
Alcohol (especially red wine—ugh, sorry to say!)
🧖♀️ How can I calm red, irritated puffy skin?
1. Strip it back and simplify.
When my skin’s angry, I go straight back to basics. Think gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and super nourishing moisturisers.
My calming skin go-tos:
The list below is just a handful of products I find calming and soothing for my skin. There are so many great products out there to suit every budget and I can highly recommend these from personal experience.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser – soothing, milky, no fuss.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser – super gentle and packed with ceramides.The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% – a great one to calm inflammation without irritation.
ESPA Skin Rescue Balm 💧 How can I depuff my face fast?
Elemis Apricot Soothing Toner - so soothing and brightening
Elemis Rose Cleansing Balm - I adore the Elemis cleansing range and this one is super good for irritated skin
REN Overnight Recovery Balm - a soothing balm that you can leave on to work its magic overnight.
2. Cold therapy, always.
Cold is my number one trick for instant de-puffing. I keep my face roller, eye masks and tools in the fridge / freezer and they feel so refreshing.
Cold tools I love:
BeautyBio Cryo Roller – for full face de-puffing.
FaceGym Sculpt and Tension Release Tools – this brand are masters at facial massage routines and this set feels incredible and sculpts like a dream.
Ice Roller for Face and Eyes – This little budget-friendly and brilliant roller from amazon is one of my favourites - I have used this ice roller so much recently and it's so calming.
3. Hydrate inside and out.
Puffiness can actually be your skin begging for water. So hydrate like your life depends on it would be my tip. This is something I have to remind myself of but I am now in a great habit because I fill up my Stanley Cup everyday now and sip it throughout the day.
Top hydrating faves:
Elemis Marine Cream – plumping and glow-giving and if you haven't tried it, do it now - it's been a staple for me for many years and will always be.
Clinique Moisture Surge Gel Moisturiser – lightweight, calming and ultra-hydrating and just great quality in a jar.Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Water Facial – a wonderfully calming, hydrating and soothing overnight treatment.
Shiseido Shikulime Mega Hydrating Cream - this is fab when I need intensive skin quenching help.
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Premier Intense Moisturiser - I use a lot of the Elizabeth Arden range when I need extra hydration and this one is fantastic for deep hydration.
Neutrogena Hydra Boost - Neutrogena is such a high quality, easy on the pocket brand and this hydra boost with SPF 25 is so calming and hydrating for skin. I never travel without it.
Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream - This wonder cream is brilliant for fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.
Gallinee Universal Face Cream - For a top quality, easy on the purse super light weight moisturiser this is the one for me.
Hydrating is something I have had to really build a habit around but more recently I've been making my sexy water (yes, fruit-infused water is a skincare essential now 💅). Cucumber, mint, lemon, berries—is super refreshing and hydrating for the skin and I add my daily Ancient & Brave Collagen too which is completely tasteless and so effective for my skin, nails and joints when I take it consistently!
Drinking water helps reduce puffiness for several reasons:
1. It flushes out excess sodium
One of the main causes of puffiness, especially under the eyes or in the face, is water retention due to high salt (sodium) levels.
When you drink more water, your body dilutes sodium levels and promotes urination, which helps flush out excess salt and fluid.
2. It reduces dehydration-related swelling
If you are dehydrated, your body tries to hold onto water by storing it in tissues, leading to a puffy or swollen look.
By rehydrating, you signal to your body that it does not need to conserve water anymore, so it releases stored fluids.
3. It supports lymphatic drainage
The lymphatic system is responsible for clearing waste and excess fluid from tissues.
Staying hydrated keeps lymph fluid moving properly, helping prevent stagnation and puffiness.
4. It improves circulation
Proper hydration ensures that blood and lymph circulate efficiently, which helps carry nutrients to tissues and remove waste products that can cause swelling or inflammation.
5. It balances cortisol and inflammation
Dehydration can trigger mild stress responses, such as increased cortisol, which promote inflammation and swelling.
Adequate water intake helps regulate stress hormones and reduce this effect. I add electrolytes to my water.
Quick tip:
If you are puffy in the morning, try drinking a full glass of water right after waking up. It often helps the body start flushing out fluids. Combining that with cool compresses or facial massage (like gua sha or a jade roller) can speed up the depuffing process.
4. Depuffing eye creams that actually work.
My eyes show tiredness very quickly (in fact only today my mum told me my eyes look tired). Here are a few magic creams that help me fake 8 hours of sleep:
Murad Targeted Eye Depuffer - I adore Murad and this eye depuffer is a life saver.
Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Firming Eye Gel lifts and hydrates like a dream.The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG – truly helps with dark circles and puffiness.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask - is a real rehydration jewel and can be used under and over make up or as an overnight treatment.
MZ Skin Hydra-Bright Gold Eye Masks - These eye masks are absolute lifesavers after a late night—cooling, de-puffing and super hydrating with hyaluronic acid and gold to reduce redness and brighten tired eyes in minutes.
5. Lymphatic massage + tools
Gua sha and facial massage have changed the game for me. They boost circulation, drain fluid and instantly lift the face (especially after a salty dinner or after one of my many flights).
Here are my faves which can all be refrigerated for extra calming:
Espa Rose Quartz Gua Sha Tool - leaves me with a super radiant look
Jade Roller and Gua Sha Set- reduces dark eye circles and puffiness
FaceGym Face Ball – quirky, cool and effective by releasing tension and assists lymphatic drainage
FaceGym Face Ball
What lifestyle changes will help depuff my skin?
Sleep with your head elevated – helps drain overnight puffiness.
Limit alcohol, salt, sugar and processed foods - the experts say that these can contribute to poor skin.
Stick to a consistent skincare routine (no late-night experiments!).
Try magnesium glycinate at night – this calms your nervous system and improves sleep (which means calmer skin!).
Boring but drinking water!
✅ How do I calm red, inflamed skin?
Go fragrance-free, avoid actives, and use barrier-repairing products like:
Avène Cicalfate+ - if your skin is super sensitive and needs some deep therapy try this
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 - this is a wonderfully soothing balm for super sensitive skin and can also be used on the whole family including children. This barrier repair cream from La Roche Posay is one of the best you can get.Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream - super fast acting and very long lasting, this cream is suitable for all skin types including super sensitive skin.
Current Body LED Light Therapy Mask - I’ve been obsessed with my CurrentBody LED mask—it uses red and near-infrared light to reduce inflammation, even out redness and calm puffiness long-term. Pricey though it is, it's seriously worth the hype.✅ Can diet cause puffiness?
100%. High salt, sugar, alcohol and dairy can all lead to water retention and inflammation. Hydrating foods (cucumber, celery, watermelon) and lots of water help flush it out.
Our skin is constantly communicating with us—and sometimes it's just saying 'slow down and give me a break.' Whether you’re looking to calm a breakout, soothe redness or de-puff tired eyes, I hope these tips and products help you feel fresh, glowy, and a little bit more you again.
Stay hydrated, stay radiant 💦✨
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