The whole month of December is basically just a whole bunch of parties that consist of food, friends, and a lot of booze. And although Christmas just ended, the festivities don’t stop there, especially that we are quickly approaching 2020—which calls for another celebration.
It’s always hard to get back on your feet once you’ve had that great holiday hangover. There’s always that “I’m never going to drink again” thought that will linger on your mind. There’s also the dreaded symptoms of a hangover on your skin that you can’t help but notice, including a dry, dull, and greasy skin. We get that there are more health issues related to hangover you need to deal with, like nausea and headache, but you also have to give your skin a little more TLC. If you don’t want to look too tired for the rest of the holidays, a hangover skincare routine might just be what you need.
Here’s how to deal with hangover skin:
Hydrate
Drinking too much alcohol causes dehydration, not just inside your body, but also on your skin. According to Healthline, alcohol is diuretic. “It causes your body to remove fluids from your blood through your renal system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, at a much quicker rate than other liquids.” When skin is dehydrated, you are more likely to have sunken eyes or experience itchiness. Our recommended regimen for this is to drink lots of water or use a facial mask that contains hyaluronic acid, a molecule that draws moisture to the skin. It’s also good to eat more water-rich vegetables and fruits, like bananas, lettuce, and watermelon.
Avoid sugary alcohol-based drinks
Dr. Sarah Shah of the Artistry Clinic in London says that drinking alcohol that is high in sugar can lead to breakouts on the skin. So as much as possible, try to avoid them, as it could also contribute to skin swelling. You might as well stick to vodka and tonic instead of drinking white wine that typically contains a lot of sugar.
Hit the dairy
To soothe the redness of the skin, which is another symptom of a skin hangover, try to use dairy products for your face. For instance, do a yogurt mask as it moisturizes the skin and treats inflammatory skin conditions. Facialist Joanna Vargas suggests to mix it with honey to add more hydration. As opposed to using dairy products, you may opt to look for skin products that contain niacinamide, a form of vitamin B that helps with redness. You may also put a cold compress on the affected area/s of your face for a few minutes.
Grab a coffee
Drinking coffee has a lot of benefits, but who knew that it could also cure a skin hangover? According to Shape, “Caffeine helps constrict blood vessels and is a good option after a night of drinking since alcohol dilates blood vessels.” The symptoms typically occur around the eyes, so if you don’t want them to look too puffy, try to look for an eye cream that contains caffeine. Our recommended product: The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution which helps dehydrate skin cells around the eyes.
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So, that last glass of wine seemed like a great idea last night, right? Don’t worry, you can still enjoy your booze as long as you stay hydrated. Let us know if you have other skin hacks in mind!
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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