Sometimes, we’re a little groggy in the morning, and we wake up in the morning looking a little puffy, tired, or less luminous than usual. That’s why Cassandra wants to share three simple ways to give your skin a glow in the morning, even if you're running late.
Step 1: Depuffing
Have you ever experienced a puffy face in the morning? Well, it might be because of lymphatic fluid deposits. Lymphatic fluid is a natural substance that can pool up in our bodies, especially when there’s a lack of circulation.Lymph fluid contains white blood cells called lymphocytes and chyle (KYE-ul), a substance made of fats and proteins from the intestines. The lymph fluid carries waste products and destroyed bacteria back into the bloodstream. The liver or kidneys remove the waste from the blood, and the body passes it out with other body waste. However, when our body is at rest, there’s less circulation, and this can result in lymphatic pooling, puffiness, or even a bit of sagginess.
Lymphatic fluid pooling is more noticeable under our cheeks, and it’s even more under our eyes where the skin is thinner. This is why some people get treatments like lymphatic drainage massages.
What is a lymphatic drainage massage?
“Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, relieves swelling that happens when medical treatment or illness blocks your lymphatic system. Lymphatic drainage massage involves gently manipulating specific areas of your body to help lymph move to an area with working lymph vessels” (Cleveland Clinic, 2021)
But, what can I do at home to decrease puffiness from this lymphatic fluid?
Gua sha
April Skin Time lock Jade Facial Roller -$28
There are a few great ways to do gua sha. One of the oldest and easiest ways is chilling a spoon in the fridge and pushing it gently around on the face. If you want to make the investment though, you can purchase a skincare tool, but this is not absolutely necessary. Cassandra is a firm believer that depuffing tools like jade rollers and gua sha tools should not cost more than 20 bucks. But, Cassandra has listed a few more suggestions if you’re willing to make the investment.
Sundree cooling facial ice globe -$14
You can put this in the fridge or freezer and use it to massage and de-puff the face. The results are similar to using a cold spoon except this stays colder longer.
Face Mask
One of the best hacks for de-puffing your face is chilling an eye or face mask. Sheet masks are a very quick solution, and you can get other things accomplished in the morning while wearing them.
Papa Recipe has two masks that Cassandra loves, the eggplant mask and the carrot mask. These sheet masks have great antioxidants.
Papa recipe sheet masks -$19.99
There’s an abundance of face masks available from a ton of K-beauty brands, and there are also eye masks. Eye masks are different from under-eye creams. Eye mask patches are more like push-up bras for your under-eyes whereas eye creams are moisturizers. They create pressure, and this pressure moves the lymphatic fluid out from under the eyes. It supports the eyes, and it can reverse a bit of sagginess in the morning.
Pacifica Vegan Ceramide Jelly Patches - $7
Next, Cassandra loves these for sensitive skin.
WANDER BEAUTY BAGGAGE CLAIM Eye masks -$26
These ones are fancy, and they are actually one of Cassandra’s favorites.
Tired af good drip eye mask -$6
Colorescience TOTAL EYE MASKS -$74
These Colorescience eye masks are ideal for wrinkles, and they are ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested. They are fantastic for someone who is always rushing out of the door. You can put them on in the car, and let them do their work.
Caffeine
Pique Organic Sun Goddess Matcha -$66.15
Caffeine is widely considered an antioxidant. Drinking and applying antioxidants can greatly help us look more awake. Antioxidants are excellent for the morning because they can help to revitalize the skin and give it a luminous glow.
Antioxidants fight against free radicals that cause damage to your skin. By adding antioxidants to your routine both topically and orally, you can glow up your skin a ton. Moreover, when you apply skincare with antioxidants such as vitamin C, caffeine, and green tea under sunscreen, it works even better. Some of Cassandra’s favorite antioxidants to work with are green tea and camelia sinensis. Green tea has epigallocatechin gallate, which can help with hyperpigmentation, wrinkle formation, and moisture retention. You can receive these benefits from both drinking green tea and applying skincare that contains it. Cassandra loves the hydrating, matcha green tea from Pique.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG -$7.50
Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor which means it can help with discoloration under the eyes. Caffeine tightens the veins, and this vasoconstriction results in more circulation and less pooling. It brightens the skin while decreasing puffiness.
Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC - $40
This really wakes up your face, and it makes your skin look so glowiy and fresh. It’s a more gentle and creamier version of the Skinceuticals.
Whamisa Fresh Cactus Bouncy Serum -$26.69
Three Ships Purify Aloe + Amino Acid Cleanser -$20
This cleanser does not strip your face, and it really gives you a glow. This cleanser has yeast, green tea, jojoba, esters, and apsen bark. This is a cleanser you can use if you don’t have time in the morning. You can wash your face with it, apply eye patches, and rub on a sunscreen. Just a tip – this is even more convenient if you keep the sunscreen in your car!
Sleeping on your back.
Sleep&Glow Omnia Pillow -$195
Many people are side sleepers, and this can result in fluid pooling to one side of your face. As mentioned before, when we’re resting and lying down, we don’t have nearly as much lymphatic fluid circulation, and this lymphatic fluid can pool up. This fluid pooling to one side can make our faces look puffy. However, this pillow can help you learn to sleep on your back so that lymphatic fluid can be more evenly distributed. It’s also super comfy!
Coverphoto cred: Healthline