Fight Skin Hangover — Skin Care Hacks for A Night of Drinking
Here's a sad truth we all don't want to hear: Alcohol CAN wreck havoc on your skin. That last glass of martini might seem like a good idea last night, but not so much after you've seen the resulting breakout or dehydrated skin the next day. However, this doesn't mean that you have to avoid drinking altogether and be a party pooper. By following these drinking skin care tips, you can still have a night of celebration without sacrificing your skin:
Pre-game Prep
Moisturise, moisturise and moisturise! Alcohol is infamously known for dehydrating your skin, making it look scaly, dull and fraught with unwanted lines. Whether it's sheet masking or slathering your face with a richer winter moisturiser, make sure your skin is chock full of humectants and emollients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid before heading out the door.
Related article: The Dos and Don'ts for Dry Skin
While you party...
Spritz your face with a mist every time you go on your toilet breaks. We recommend the COSRX Cooling Aqua Facial Mist for this! Not only will this mist keep your skin glowing all night, it will also help prevent cakey makeup and cool you down from all that dancing.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the booze you choose can actually make a difference on your skin. For example, drinks laden with sugar, like sweet cocktails, can lead to breakouts and inflammation among other things. Drinks made with salt, on the other hand, contribute to puffiness and dehydration. The safest bet is then to stick to clear spirits such as vodka or rum that can lessen your chances of a brutal skin hangover the next day.
The Aftermath
A quick face wipe while you're tipsy and rolling around in bed isn't going to cut it. No matter how tired you are, the least you can do (and we are talking about the really, really bare minimum here) is double cleanse, tone and moisturise. After double cleansing, I personally love using the COSRX One Step Green Hero Calming Pads, which are super soothing toner pads that can help calm any redness or irritation on the skin. Afterwards, I follow up with the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask for that much-needed skin recharge.
The Day After
First up—your AM skin care routine. After cleansing, I like reaching out for the Heimish Black Tea Mask Pack, which is a quick 5-minute refreshing and de-puffing treatment that's perfect for hangover skin. While waiting to wash it off, fill your body with hydrators containing extra electrolytes, like coconut water, or take a probiotic like kombucha and Greek yoghurt to give your gut a little love.
Other than replenishing your body’s hydration levels, soothe any irritation your skin may experience with a sheet mask like the Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Sheet Mask, which has erythritol, an ingredient known to lower the skin’s temperature, and bamboo charcoal to purify your pores. Psst... If you woke up looking like a puffy hangdog, a nice gentle massage with a face roller while you mask will also do the trick!
Related article: Face Roller VS Gua Sha - What's the Difference?
See? You don't necessarily need to go cold turkey to maintain your glow! Taking these precautions will really help you enjoy your cocktails without having to worry about your complexion. And hey, I think that's something we can all drink to! ;)
Got any other drinking skincare tips and tricks? Share them with us in the comments below!
