Sure, you’re a party girl, but while you've been dancing on the tables having the time of your life, those late nights, smoky scenes and fruity cocktails are taking a huge toll on your skin. The signs of party skin? A sallow complexion, fine lines, dullness, wrinkles and even acne. But before you declare the party is over, learn how to look younger and fresher with these post-party, skin-saving solutions:
Fake a good night’s rest Remember that after-hours thing you had to go to? Well, now you’re paying the price. Sleep is essential to keeping your skin looking less stressed and fresh. You probably have dark shadows, which are a result of oxygenated blood that’s pooled underneath your eyes. To look more awake, massage on an eye cream or serum that has stimulating ingredients like caffeine or ginseng, to constrict blood vessels and temporarily boost circulation. Use a foundation to even out your skin tone, then dot on a yellow-based concealer (the hue brings down the bluish tone) to hide raccoon eyes.
Recoup your H2O If you had a few too many last night, you’re feeling it, and so is your skin. Thanks to alcohol’s dehydrating effects, you've lost moisture and depleted your body of vitamin A (an essential mineral for keeping skin cells healthy and for maintaining collagen). To recover, apply a water-based moisturizing cream or mask infused with hyaluronic acid, which plumps up skin and amps up moisture levels. Drink plenty of water, and at night, use a cream with retinol to speed up cell turnover.
Do a skin detox If you smoke, you’re at major risk for wrinkles. With every puff, blood vessels constrict, and that lack of blood reaching your skin means a decrease in collagen production. Even if you don’t smoke, standing in a smoky room exposes you to damaging free radicals that attack your healthy skin cells. It’s essential to use an antioxidant moisturizer or serum with Vitamin C or resveratrol; long term it can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles from forming, and keep your skin looking bright.
