Thanksgiving is all fun and gravy until dinner is over [1] and you're left with nothing but a puffy face [2] and relative who's screaming expletives at a football referee on TV. Yep! That's not just a food coma you're feeling — all that turkey, stuffing, wine [3], and pie can also do a number on your skin, making you swell up [4] like a Parker House roll in the oven.
There is no shame in this; you should enjoy all the holiday weekend has to offer. But if there's a particular food group you binged with abandon, the skin treatments ahead help hide the evidence.
If You Overdid It On Turkey and Gravy
For some people, the best part about a turkey dinner is the thick, creamy gravy — that's loaded with salt and carbohydrates. That's all good, so long as you've got your post-Thanksgiving kit: the Peace Out Puffy Under-Eye Patches [5] ($25). These are made in a slimy bio-cellulose material that are drenched in passion fruit extract to de-puff, ice plant stem cells to boost collagen, and betaine, a sugar beet extract that soothes inflammation.
If You Overdid It On Alcohol
Too much of a good thing can lead to dehydration and skin inflammation. "Drinking alcohol dehydrates the body and skin, which can make you look puffy and bloated [6]," dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD, once told POPSUGAR. "It also creates a histamine reaction, because it causes the facial blood vessels to dilate, causing redness and flushing." Luckily, this SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque [7] ($58) exists; the formula is loaded with anti-inflammatory botanicals and hydrating hyaluronic acid to give your skin instant relief, every single time.
If You Overdid It On Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole may be a classic side dish, but it's loaded with sodium [8] that can put a damper on your visage. "Salt, like alcohol, dehydrates the body and pulls water out of your skin," Dr. Jaliman said. "This causes bloating." Because casserole is practically made for leftovers, load up on the soothing Talika Eye Therapy Patches [9] ($49), which can help calm and deflate swollen, puffy skin around the eyes.
If You Overdid It On Pie
Pecan, pumpkin, apple — it doesn't matter what kind of pie was served this Thanksgiving, if you had too much, remember: "Those high sugar levels can promote inflammation in the skin and may be associated with acne breakouts," dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, said. Your best next-day defence plan: Summer Fridays Overtime Mask [10] ($44), a exfoliating treatment with pumpkin and apricot seed powder that unclogs pores and keeps skin in the clear.
If You Overdid It On Mashed Potatoes
The heavenly blend of starch and salt, mashed potatoes are easy to indulge on. Help depuff after every serving with the aloe vera-spiked Simple Kind to Skin Calming Sheet Mask [11] ($2), which soothes inflammation. The price is also right — because you know you'll be going back for more again and again.