A skincare expert’s guide to partying hard
If your post-lockdown routine is looking more like “eat, sleep, rave, repeat” than “cleanse, tone and moisturise”, you need to read this…
Yeah, we know – cutting out alcohol, getting eight hours’ sleep a night, removing make-up before bed and eating a virtuous diet is the only way to complexion perfection. But where’s the fun in that? After back-to-back lockdowns, living life to the full has become a priority for most, so how can we ensure our skin doesn’t take the hit?
production of collagen), and is a diuretic, which means it forces water out of the body and makes it more difficult to rehydrate.” Still feeling thirsty? There are choices you can make to lessen the impact a boozy weekend has on your complexion.
Keep it clear
“Clear spirits have fewer ingredients (including hangover-intensifying chemicals called congeners), moving through the body faster and impacting the skin less,” explains Dr Quinn. “So, yes, vodka, gin and tequila can all be considered lesser evils.” He goes on to point out that white wine is the exception, due to its higher salt and sugar content (hence wine face).
Curb the cocktails
Bad news: sugar is skin-cell kryptonite, and cocktails contain the most. “Refined sugars cause premature ageing due to glycation,” explains consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto, “where sugar molecules bind to collagen and stop it functioning normally.” Margaritas and mojitos are among the worst, but cosmopolitans happen to be one of the most saintly.
Beer, anyone?
Sure, a pint of the good stuff contains sugar, salts and additives, but it’s still better than most sugar-heavy cocktails. “Beer actually contains pantothenic acid, which has been seen to help with skin elasticity,” says Dr Quinn. He adds that although beer should never be considered a nutritious drink, the yeast in it is a good source of vitamin B. But don’t go thinking non-alcoholic beer is the equivalent to a face mask – most contain as much sugar as their alcoholic counterparts, so check the bottle.
Shot, shot, shot!
Sometimes, a night out with your mates isn’t a night out with your mates until someone appears carrying a tray of shots, and it turns out vodka jelly is your best bet. “Gelatin is actually good for the skin,” explains Quinn. “It’s high in dietary collagen, proline, minerals and protein.” Just don’t overdo it, and stick to your limits. It’s all fun and games till someone gets hurt, people.