How to Relieve Hungover Skin in 5 Steps

Even with the pandemic hindering huge NYE parties, we’re sure you still found a fun way to ring in the New Year, right? In addition to a pounding headache, over-indulging in alcohol will severely dehydrate the skin, resulting in skin tightness/dryness and puffiness the next morning. We call it “hungover skin” very astutely. Here are some expert skin care tips to get your skin looking and feeling better in no time!

1. Wash Your Face and Perform Your Morning Routine

Depending on what time you got in at night, there’s a chance that you may not wash your face. If you didn’t, do it right away as your skin will get instantly refreshed when it’s clean. Plus, your eyes will feel so much better when your sticky, clumpy mascara is removed. Try a cleanser with peppermint oil; it not only brightens sluggish skin by stimulating circulation but is also proven to provide clarity and alertness to a less-than-awake brain. Lactic acid and biodegradable jojoba beads will help gently clear away any surface dryness or flakiness from dehydration and/or sleeping in your makeup.

2. Perform a Cold Ice Water Splash to Reduce Facial Puffiness

I love this trick, here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Fill your bathroom sink with cold water and toss in 15 ice cubes.
Step 2: Pour 1/3 of a cup of natural witch hazel into the water. Try to use one that is alcohol-free.
Step 3: Dunk your face (yes, dunk, don’t just splash) in and out ten times.

How does it get rid of puffiness? Cold temperatures shrink capillaries and stimulate drainage, while witch hazel has natural anti-inflammatory, puffiness-reducing properties. It also might provide some relief for your headache. (If you don’t have any witch hazel on hand, then just dunk your face into the cold ice water.)

3. Use Hydrating Ingredients to Deliver Water Back Into Thirsty Skin Cells

When their skin is parched, most people tend to reach for a rich moisturizer and slather it on. But since drinking alcohol mostly depletes water, the focus needs to be on putting water back into the skin, not oil. Hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, and sodium PCA are all great ingredients to quench thirsty skin cells and restore them to a healthier state.

You can find these in water-based products like serums, alcohol-free toners, gel masks, and sheet masks. Use any and all of them. Your skin can’t get enough hydration today! You can’t go wrong with a powerful Hyaluronic Acid serum and a detox mask is a great way to completely reset your hungover skin.

4. Massage the Under-Eye Area

Tired, hungover eyes will usually appear puffy and have dark circles. Dab a small amount of eye cream and using circular motions with your fingertip, massage the entire under-eye area. This will stimulate stagnant blood flow that can contribute to darkness and reduce excess fluid.

5. Rehydrate the Body with Vitamin-Enriched Water

Drinking alcohol not only depletes water out of the skin and body but essential vitamins, too. Rehydrate the body by drinking water all day and add fruits into your glass for a boost of antioxidants as well as taste.

My favorite make-your-own water recipes include:

Strawberry + mint + lemon
Lime wedges + fresh cilantro + a couple of jalapeño slices
Blueberries + raspberries + strawberries
Watermelon + lemon + orange

Ideally, you would prepare this ahead of time and have all of it ready to go in your fridge.

You can also drink pressed juices for a much-needed nutritional replenishment.

Bonus Tip: Next Time, Re-Think Your Drink of Choice

To help prevent a hangover, choose your drinks wisely. A bartender once told me that the healthiest drink is to have vodka or tequila with water and a few lemons squeezed in to give some flavor. She believes that cocktails with less sugar (and in this case, virtually none, other than from the lemons) may result in less of a hangover. She said that sweeter drinks tend to mask the alcohol’s flavors, causing taste buds to need more, which inadvertently encourages you to drink more.

Regardless, less sugar in drinks means fewer calories and, technically, you’re hydrating the body with water, right? In addition, try to follow every drink you consume with an 8 oz glass of water to mitigate unnecessary morning dehydration.

Wishing you a quick recovery, but these tips should get your skin on the mend soon! If you need some extra help for your hungover skin, call Botanica Day Spa to book a hydrating and brightening facial to speed things up! It’s the perfect hungover activity in my opinion!

Love,

Gen