Keep Waking Up With A Puffy Face? This May Be Why, From MDs

“Dietary factors such as drinking alcohol and excessive intake of salt can cause puffiness, especially in the morning, due to the combined effects of gravity and fluid retention,” explains board-certified dermatologist Rebecca Marcus, M.D., FAAD. 

You’ll likely know whether or not you consumed alcohol the night before, but sometimes sodium-rich foods can sneak up on you. Most often, sodium-rich foods are present in processed snacks or meals, but you’ll occasionally find high amounts of sodium in products like soups, broths, sauces, and even canned or pickled vegetables. 

Swelling can also signal dehydration, especially if you’ve consumed loads of salty food or alcohol. “Lack of proper hydration can cause your body to retain water, resulting in puffiness,” Anna Askari, M.D., family physician at One Medical, explains. “This can be exacerbated by alcohol or caffeine consumption, which dehydrate the body."

“In addition, as we age, we lose firmness and elasticity, which may result in increased puffiness as fluid accumulates in the tissues overnight,” Marcus explains.

This one isn’t avoidable, but you can take steps to boost your skin’s natural collagen production and plump the skin.

One of the easiest: Take a collagen supplement daily. Look for hydrolyzed collagen peptides for optimal absorption—here’s a list of some great options on the market now. 

“Allergic reactions, such as hay fever or food allergies, can cause facial swelling and puffiness,” Askari says. Common allergens she notes include pollen, pet dander, certain foods, and insect bites. 

“In addition to temporary causes, there are some health conditions that may cause facial puffiness as a symptom,” Askari says. 

While waking up with a puffy face is likely caused by one of the common factors listed above, if it recurs frequently or tends to stick around, it could be a symptom of some other health issue.