Whether you’re at home or on an adventure during the holiday season, it’s common to indulge in sugary cocktails and late nights, which can lead to temporary puffiness in the face. Dermatologists, including Dr. Shereene Idriss, explain that certain holiday indulgences like alcohol and fried foods can lead to inflammation and redness in the skin. However, with the right recovery methods, you can still enjoy the holiday festivities without worrying about your skin. Dr. Idriss shares her go-to de-puffing tips to help you look and feel fresh, even after indulging in holiday treats.
Related Stories
1. Rolling
Dr. Idriss’s favorite way to tackle post-party puff is with her “baby”—The PillowtalkDerm Depuffer ($38)—which was designed with exactly that in mind.
“It was made to be your SOS product after late nights out indulging in yummy food and drinks, and will address both puffiness and redness,” she says, adding that it’s clinically proven to minimize under-eye swelling and relieve transient ruddiness with actives like arnica, Centella Asiatica and ash bark extract. She says that first thing in the morning—even before jumping in the shower, she rolls it on to get the benefits of the active ingredients so she’s ready for the day.
And if you don’t have her De-Puffer on hand, she suggests using cold spoons because they cost nothing and are accessible to everyone. Pro tip? Pair the spoons with any arnica or caffeine-infused formula you’ve already got in your collection to up their de-puffing prowess even further.
2. Lymphatic drainage
Dr. Idriss says that the holidays are a great time to treat yourself to a lymphatic drainage facial massage, which is shown to temporarily slim down treated areas by encouraging the flow of lymphatic fluid. “Is it going to reverse the clock? No,” she says. “But it is at least going to make you look temporarily sculpted, as the whole point of lymphatic drainage is to keep that fluid moving.”
For those who don’t have access to a lymphatic massage parlor, at-home microcurrent devices like the ZIIP and NuFace are made for everyday use and can help define features. For a more affordable option, try a Gua Sha tool or jade roller, which can also aid in lymphatic drainage.
3. Icing
If you’re in a post-party pinch and looking for a $0 fix, face icing—a centuries-old practice that’s recently picked up steam on social media–can come to the rescue. Simply grab some cubes and massage them around your face in circular motions. The cold temperatures will constrict blood vessels to reduce circulation and help with temporary swelling (which is the same concept behind icing an injury). Just be sure to keep the cubes moving, as keeping them in one spot could create micro-frost.
For a slightly fancier take on this traditional tip, try Sofie Pavitt’s Nice Ice Toner Pods ($68), which contain calming niacinamide and green tea extract and are meant to be kept in the freezer for an icy application, or invest in some ice globes that are specifically designed to be used on the face and will last you for many holiday seasons to come.
Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.
