11 Foods to Avoid for Reducing Facial Bloating: Plus Morning Remedies

Medically Reviewed on 9/8/2022
Foods to Avoid for Reducing Facial Bloating
Combine a proactive and preventative approach to facial bloating.

You wake up in the morning and glance in the mirror to realize that your face is puffier than usual. Facial bloating is nothing serious, but it may be uncomfortable, especially if you are to attend a meeting or have a big event. After all, neither your best full-coverage concealer nor your most nourishing skin lotion will help.

A variety of factors contribute to puffiness:

  • Drinking too many margaritas 
  • Eating too many potato chips (high salt intake)
  • A sluggish lymphatic system
  • Lack of sleep
  • Congestion, especially during the summer months when allergies are at their worst

Sometimes facial puffiness may point toward serious health conditions, such as kidney or heart diseases. Persistent or severe facial puffiness should not be ignored. It is wise to consult a physician to rule out any serious health concerns.

In most cases, facial puffiness is not a serious condition. There are a few remedies that can help reduce facial bloating.

11 foods to avoid to prevent facial bloating

There are certain foods that cause facial bloating by increasing either water retention or inflammation. Foods that should be avoided to prevent facial bloating include:

  1. Soy sauce:
    • Soy sauce can cause swelling in your body and face. 
    • This is due to two factors:
      • Regular soy sauce contains a lot of salt.
      • It contains gluten
    • It means that even if you choose a sodium-free soy sauce, the gluten level may cause bloating, especially if you have a gluten allergy
    • Therefore, if you are allergic to gluten, you should consider switching to a gluten-free diet to avoid these negative effects.
  2. Gluten:
    • Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It has been demonstrated to boost the inflammatory response, leaving the face appearing bloated, inflamed, or puffy. 
    • Gluten can cause skin pigmentation issues, such as age spots and darker areas on the chin.
    • People with celiac disease are particularly sensitive to gluten.
    • It is recommended to consult your doctor if you develop any disturbing gut or skin problems with gluten consumption. 
  3. Sugar:
    • Too much sugar consumption can cause drooping skin and increase insulin levels, thereby making the face seem washed out.
    • Sugar disrupts the bacterial balance in the gut, which can result in outbreaks on the face, shoulders, and chest. 
  4. Milk and other dairy products:
    • Despite its low salt content, milk is another food that causes facial bloating. 
    • This is because milk contains lactose, a sugar that many individuals find difficult to digest. 
    • Lactose intolerance is a condition that many people may not be aware of until much later in life because it can develop at any age. 
    • If you have symptoms, such as bloating in the belly or face after drinking milk or eating dairy products, such as cheese, you may be lactose intolerant.
  5. Alcohol:
    • Alcohol causes facial bloating because it causes water retention in the facial tissues.
    • Therefore, you must avoid alcohol intake, especially at night, to prevent facial bloating. 
    • This is the reason you may end up waking with a swollen face after a fun night out.
  6. Processed meat:
    • As much as you enjoy processed meat, it can be difficult to digest due to its high salt content, preservatives, and high fatty content. 
    • Therefore, foods, such as sausages, ham, and bacon may induce facial bloating. 
    • In addition, red meat has a higher protein content and is more likely to cause facial puffiness than lean meat.
  7. Sushi:
    • Sushi is one of the foods that cause puffy face due to its high salt content. 
    • When you consume sushi, your body must retain water to balance the salt consumed. 
    • Moreover, sushi is typically eaten with soy sauce, a condiment that has high salt content. 
    • This results in the bloating you observe the next morning in the mirror.
  8. Tomatoes:
    • The generally nutritious and beneficial tomato can nevertheless cause swollen eyes. 
    • Tomatoes contain a toxin called solanine, which can significantly contribute to swelling in some regions of the body, including the eyes.
    • Some people may be more likely to get facial swelling on the consumption of tomatoes than others.
  9. Caffeine and carbonated drinks:
    • Although coffee and tea are necessities for many people, caffeine has been linked to swelling around the eyes. 
    • Carbonated beverages contain a lot of sugar, which contributes to a swollen face.
  10. Carbs:
    • Carbohydrates, such as bread, white rice, and pasta, cause facial bloating due to water retention and an increase in inflammation.
    • Limit the intake of processed carbs and replace them with whole foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.
  11. Fried and processed foods:
    • Fried, fatty, or processed foods contain higher amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, which do not have the same anti-inflammatory characteristics as omega-3 fatty acids
    • Therefore, omega-6 fatty acids are considered inferior to omega-3 fatty acids.
    • Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods and culinary ingredients, such as salmon, coconut oil, and virgin olive oil.

SLIDESHOW

Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See Slideshow

What is depuffing?

Any aspect of your skin care regimen that focuses on minimizing facial puffiness and dark circles around your eyes is referred to as depuffing. There are various strategies and materials you may use to do this, but even water and ice cubes are useful.

Combine a proactive and preventative approach to facial bloating with on-the-spot problem-solving tactics to depuff your face when needed.

6 remedies to reduce facial bloating

Here are some home remedies that can help reduce facial bloating:

  1. Drink plenty of water:
    • Always keep your moisture levels up to prevent puffiness. 
    • Drinking enough of water throughout the year is important, but it is especially crucial in the summer when the temperature rises. 
    • Water hydrates the body and neutralizes free radicals.
    • You may dissolve some Celtic salt in the water to assist your body to absorb it better for maximum hydration.
  2. Massage your face:
    • Sweeping massage strokes on your face can stimulate lymph flow and discharge puffiness from your face. 
    • Although hiring a professional is usually the ideal solution, this is simple enough to do at home. 
    • You may use tools, such as a jade roller, to massage your face as it stimulates lymph drainage.
    • Sweep out strokes to some of the facial lymph nodes located in front and behind the ear, around the chin, and down the neck onto the collarbone.
    • You may do this with facial massage oil to add to the experience and some aromatic essential oils, such as lavender oil, to help you relax while also tightening the skin.
  3. Sleep on your back:
    • Naturally, nighttime fluid is retained in your body, but if you frequently wake up with a puffy face, you may need to reassess your sleeping position. 
    • Avoid resting on your stomach, and invest in a nice pillow that keeps your head slightly raised to allow fluid to drain easily at night.
    • Your room temperature should be comfortable to support decent sleep, which is also crucial for depuffing.
  4. Eye cream with caffeine:
    • As the skin around the eyes is thin, puffy eyes are quite common. 
    • Consider the use of caffeine-based eye lotion because caffeine constricts the blood vessels, which reduces puffiness.
    • A thorough application may boost the advantages even further. 
    • Dab three dots beneath the eyes and gently massage them in with your ring finger with sweeping strokes.
  5. Exercise:
    • Getting your body moving may make a huge effect on the appearance of your swollen face. 
    • Swelling builds and settles around the eyes when you lie motionless and flat overnight. 
    • Standing up and doing a little exercise can assist with depuffing of the face. 
    • The right amount of exercise can help regulate hormones, an excess of which may lead to facial swelling.
  6. Cold water treatment:
    • Splash your face with cold water or dip your face in a bowl of cold water.
    • This constricts the capillaries in your face, thereby reducing puffiness and adding a pleasant pink glow.
    • You can also rub ice cubes all over your face, especially in sore areas, to reduce inflammation and redness.
    • You can even use refrigerated cucumbers, metal facial tools, or rollers that provide you with the same benefits as cold water.
Medically Reviewed on 9/8/2022
References
Image Source: iStock images

Quick Home Remedies for Puffy Face and Body: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-puffy-face-home-remedies

How to Get Rid of Bags Under Your Eyes: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/how-to-get-rid-of-bags-under-your-eyes