There is one unfortunate side effect to all the holiday fun you’re having this time of year. And that’s what I like to call the “beauty hangover.” A late night enjoying a round of holiday parties—plus a few cocktails—can leave your skin looking less than fresh when you wake up the next morning. So here are a few secrets I’ve learned over the years that can help keep you glowing right into the new year.
Don’t skip your evening cleansing: I know you’re tired and it’s so tempting to just fall into bed without washing your face, but do that enough times and you will regret it. When you sleep in your makeup, dirt and oils get embedded into your pores. And those clogged pores can lead to acne breakouts. Plus, the dirt and dead skin cells trapped in your un-cleaned-out pores make skin start to look dull and tired. So take the extra minute before bed to wash your face with a gentle cleanser that effectively gets rid of the day’s dirt and makeup and deep-cleans pores, but doesn’t overdry your skin by stripping away all of its natural oils.
Exfoliate regularly: At least a few times a week, use an exfoliating cleanser that contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs are water soluble so they can penetrate deeply into the skin’s surface to lift off dead cells. The result: the dull skin is sloughed off and newer, fresher looking skin is revealed.
Take care of your eyes: The eye area has the thinnest and most sensitive skin on the body—which is why we often see fine lines and other signs of aging (as well as fatigue) there first. Eye creams that contain caffeine can help reduce post-party puffiness, and ones that have vitamin K, kojic acid or hydroquinone can alleviate dark circles.
Unmask brighter skin: As part of your party prep (or to revive skin after one too many parties), treat yourself to a relaxing, hydrating face mask. Try this soothing recipe that you can whip up at home: Mix half an avocado with 1 tablespoon of yogurt, 1 egg white and 1/3 teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply the mixture to damp skin, leave it on for ten or fifteen minutes and then rinse off with warm water.
These are my tips for surviving the holidays in style!