How To Beat Sugar, Late Nights And Alcohol’s Impact On Your Skin This Party Season
- Emmaline Tsui
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
If your December diary is full of drinks, dinners and parties, your skin is probably already preparing itself for what's to come. Extra sugar, fizz and late nights are a bit of a challenging combination for your skin barrier, collagen and breakouts, but you do not fear, I'm here to tell you how to keep your skin in tip top condition right through until the New Year.
WHAT DO SUGAR, ALCOHOL AND LATE NIGHTS ACTUALLY DO TO YOUR SKIN?
Sugar
Festive food is usually a consistent roll of puddings, chocolates and canapés.
Too much sugar can:
Stiffen collagen and elastin through glycation, which leads to lines and a crepey look.
Trigger inflammation and flare acne, rosacea and general redness.
Contribute to dehydration and puffiness.
Alcohol
For those of you who are drinking, alcohol dehydrates you and disrupts sleep.
On your skin that often shows up as:
Dullness and more obvious fine lines.
Redness and flushing, especially if you are prone to sensitivity.
A weaker barrier, so you react more to products and weather.
Late nights
Skin is constantly repairing itself while you sleep.
So poor sleep can mean:
Slower cell turnover and a grey, tired look.
Puffiness and under eye shadows.
Higher cortisol, which affects hormones, oil and inflammation.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY SKIN PLAN
Think of this as your skincare plan for before, during and after all of the above...
Before:
Start by keeping your routine consistent. A solid daily routine is your best protection.
Cleanse properly with Nimue Cleansing Gel or Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser morning and evening for an effective but gentle cleanse.
Exfoliate with the Nimue Exfoliating Enzyme a couple of times a week instead of harsh scrubs, to keep skin smooth without damaging the barrier.
Keep your skin hydrated with Forlle’d Refining Lotion and Forlle’d Basing Emulsion or the SkinBetter Science Trio Luxe if you are drier or more sensitive.
Wear your SPF every day, even in Winter. I always love the Nimue SPF 40, Nimue Environmental Shield SPF 50 or Revision Intellishade SPF 45.
If you want this tailored to your skin, you can fill in my free Skin Check In form and I will email you a personalised routine.
Support from the inside too
A daily collagen drink such as Skinade helps with boosting collagen and hydration from within.
Gut support like Advanced Nutrition Programme's Skin Youth Biome can calm inflammation if digestion is a bit temperamental.
Eat a protein rich meal with healthy fats before going out, so sugar and alcohol hit your system more gently.
During
If you're drinking alcohol, have water between drinks. Add electrolytes when you get home if you have them.
Rotate sugary cocktails and mulled wine with clearer options such as spirits with soda and citrus.
Include some protein and fats with party food, for example nuts, cheese, smoked salmon.
On big nights out, stick to your usual skincare in the evening and avoid brand new strong actives in case they break you out.
After
When you get home
Even if it is late, cleanse - please for the love of skincare cleanse.
Double cleanse with the Cleansing Beauty Balm then follow with the Nimue Cleansing Gel or Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser.
Skip strong acids and go for calming hydration instead, for example Forlle’d Refining Lotion, Calecim Multi Action Cream, then Forlle’d Basing Emulsion.
If you are very flushed or tight, add a soothing hydrating mask such as the Calecim Recovery Night Complex or the Nimue Leave-On Mask.
The morning after
Drink water, then your Skinade.
Cleanse gently with Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser or Nimue Cleansing Gel.
Use your ice roller or cool Gua Sha or globe massagers from the fridge with a light oil or serum to reduce puffiness.
Rebuild the barrier with hydrating layers and finish with SPF such as Nimue Sun-C SPF 40
If December always leaves your skin inflamed, spotty or dull, I can help you create a plan around your real life and festivities.
Fill in my free Skin Check In form on my site, tell me about your skin, products and lifestyle, and I will email you a personalised routine with specific product recommendations.
Now you can happily enjoy your parties, puddings and prosecco and arrive in January with your barrier, collagen and glow intact.
Thank you so much for reading,
Emmaline
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