Whether it was that last round of shots or the fact you got a grand total of three hours’ sleep, the aftermath of a night out – dryness, dullness, and a high chance of breakouts – can wreak havoc on your skin for weeks.
The solution? Get in there fast with you hangover cure. Just as you’re in the habit of drinking a pint of water, taking painkillers, and heading out for a fry-up to cure your sore head and queasy stomach, your skin needs some TLC too.
1. Cleanse & exfoliate
No matter how well you think you cleaned your skin the night before, chances are if you were drunk you didn’t do the best job… Start by removing all lingering traces of makeup – use a gently exfoliating face wash like the Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser which helps to smooth skin and clear pores of buildup and dead skin cells. Short of having a cup of coffee, this caffeine, citrus, and spearmint infused scrub is the next best thing if you’re struggling to feel awake and alert.
2. Deep cleanse
Featuring a never-ending list of clarifying ingredients like illite and kaolin clays, charcoal, and purfying ginger, Soak Sunday Midnight Storm Transformative Clay Face Mask soaks up excess oil and draws toxins out of skin. If you’re prone to breaking out big-time in the days following a big night out, this will help to significantly reduce the chances of spots flaring up.
3. Soothe puffiness
Face massage is the key to reducing post-alcohol puffiness as it helps to boost circulation and encourage lymphatic drainage. Better than just using your fingers, the By BEAUTY BAY Ice Roller will not only help to restore your skin to its toned and supple self, but also offers refreshing and soothing relief (and can also help to relieve a wine-induced headache). Got puffy eyes? Hold and press to alleviate under-eye puffiness and swelling.
4. Refresh
Like a green juice for your skin, Glow Hub’s Nourish & Hydrate Serum Mist will infuse some welcome radiance into a lacklustre complexion, so you look as well-rested as you would if you hadn’t spent the night ordering rounds for the table. The refreshing formula delivers a cocktail of nutrients and hydrators via hyaluronic acid, coconut water, and peach extract, working to leave your skin feeling soothed and restored.
5. Kickstart hydration
Drinking alcohol is a direct cause of dehydration, which deprives cells of the water they need to keep skin hydrated and healthy and leaves it looking dry and dull. Just as you probably need to drink a pint of water right now, so does your skin – so while you’re sipping, apply a combination of hydrating products. With your skin damp from the face mist, pat on a hydrating serum like the Bliss Glow & Hydrate Serum, powered by a combination of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to replenish dehydrated skin.
6. Sheet mask
Next, apply a sheet mask like Dr Jart+’s Ceramidin Facial Barrier Mask – not only does it feel instantly soothing, but it’s a quick-win way to kickstart the process of restoring moisture levels. Leave the mask on for 30-40 minutes (in the meantime don’t neglect your dry lips, treat them with By BEAUTY BAY’s Hydrating Lip SOS Mask). Remove the sheet mask as soon as it starts to dry up – then massage the leftover product from the packet into your skin.
7. Moisturise
The final step? Moisturiser to seal in all that skincare goodness. Since this is no ordinary skincare routine and hydration is the name of the game, replace your regular moisturiser with a moisture mask instead for a deep hit of hydrating benefits. Formulated with propolis extract to reduce inflammation, the COSRX Honey Overnight Mask is perfect for nourishing and calming stressed skin.
