How to improve puffy dull face

[PhoebeMcPeePee]

I've always had a puffy face, assumed it was due to extra weight I was carrying but 3.5stone off, size 10/12 and my bloody face is still puffy & really dull looking . I feel like it needs a good workout, a pummel, buff and some sort of magic potion to lift & firm and take away that look of 'need a good nights sleep'.

I use a scrub a few times a week & moisturise daily but otherwise that's about it for skincare, rarely eat bread but do eat lots of rice/pasta, have plenty of fruit & veg, don't drink much alcohol (once a week maybe) exercise (outdoors) 4 times a week. I could possibly do with a bit more sleep & drink water.

Any suggestions either treatments, potions or remedies to help reduce that puffy faced look before Christmas party season (when I add alcohol to the mix for a puffy face with red blotches ).

Drink lots of water. Perhaps try one of the overnight masks that people like Clinique do?

Perhaps a radiance primer under your foundation?

Lots of water, double cleanse, acid tone, facial oil (I like the Boots Botanics one). Cleansing with a cleansing balm and massaging in a facial oil gives you a chance to give your face a nice massage which will help brighten it up and might reduce puffiness.

Agree definitely need to drink more water but what the heck's an acid toner and is double cleanse just dong it twice or something more technical? For someone interested in & working on my appearance, I seem to have totally bypassed skincare and at almost 40 it's starting to show

Well my first thought was, I bet she drinks too much alcohol, cos that's the classic sign, but you say you don't so hmmm.....

Maybe it's a drainage problem. Definitely do the double cleanse and really massage in the oil, or balm, or whatever suits you, for a good 5 minutes or so. Do circular movements going from your chin, up towards the top of your cheeks. Check out Lisa Eldridge on YouTube. She has a video for facial massages and I've been doing it for about a month now and I can definitely tell the difference.

I wouldn't use a scrub, but then that's a personal choice. I actually think my skin looks more dull when I use a scrub exfoliater. I now just exfoliate with peel off face masks and sometimes a muslin cloth after I've cleansed. Maybe you don't suit them either, given that you describe your skin as dull, like mine was when I used them. Just a thought.

Oh and also, do you have a lot of salt in your diet? I notice when I've had a lot of salt, ie a take away or something, the next morning I look more puffy.

'Well my first thought was, I bet she drinks too much alcohol'

Same here! My face looks very different since cutting way back on alcohol

Yes, double cleansing is just doing it twice Lisa Eldridge's facial massage video is excellent

Sleep definitely makes everything better

Try to find a facialist who does lymphatic draining massages. Sometimes massage can really help fluid retention.

More sleep/less salt and sugar/more water always good. Plenty of brisk walks.

Hmmm must be lack of water as I am bad at that (does sugar free squash count?) & a good massage sounds worth a try as I'm on slimming world so my diet has never been better (stacks of fruit & veg, very little processed food & I don't add salt to cooking & last time I had any alcohol was over 2 weeks ago). Will look into double cleansing as well.

Sleep, water, monthly facial.

Your diet sounds fine, maybe you need to catch up on your sleep ?

Also for skin care perhaps cleanse and polish (massage in well ) with a warm muslin to encourage blood flow.

To be fair I was quite happy with my skin till recently I think when the light changes I look dull !!