Overindulging not only makes you feel like crap, but it also makes you look lousy. Here’s what too many cocktails, sweets, or salty snacks really does to your skin—and what you should do to detox your skin.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a diuretic. That’s why you keep running to the bathroom during a long night of drinking, and why your face might feel like a dried up cactus in the morning.
Dr David Colbert, founder and head physician of New York Dermatology Group, says the best way to get your skin back to normal is with good ‘ole H2O. Before going to bed, drink 3 to 4 glasses of water, he says adding some lemon to the water can also help soothe your stomach.
Use a hydrating moisturiser to keep your skin from feeling parched, too. We suggest starting with a lightweight oil then seal in the moisture with a heavy-duty face lotion
Related: These Beer Lovers Created A Workout To Help You ‘Earn Your Booze’
Salt
Nobody sits down to a sodium-packed meal and thinks, “This is definitely going to end well.”
You feel thirsty and bloated—and so does your skin. Too much salt causes water retention, which creates those puffy circles under the eyes, says Dr. Colbert.
To fight them, we like an anti-fatigue eye-gel that uses a cooling gel that is easy on the skin. Use it during the day and at night.
Sugar
Your skin pays the price for your constant sweet tooth. A sugar-heavy diet harms the collagen and elastin in your skin, says Dr. Colbert. This damage is called ‘glycation,’ which causes premature aging.
Related: 6 Things That Happen When You Stop Eating Sugar
To battle early wrinkles, Dr. Colbert recommends using a serum to promote new cell growth. Fresh cells help keep your skin clear of wrinkles and sagginess.
What to do next time
Healthy skin really stems from a healthy diet, so increase your antioxidant intake to promote good skin.Think: berries, acai, tomatoes, spinach, and Brussels sprouts.
If you know you’re going to indulge, Dr. Colbert recommends increasing your fibre consumption beforehand, which helps control blood sugar and eliminates toxins that might increase the wear and tear on your skin.
Related: 4 Ways To Prep Your Skin For The Onslaught Of The Summer Sun
Above all else: Get a good night’s sleep and stay hydrated. Both help stabilise your natural hormones and reverse the effects of overindulgence on your skin better than anything you could do to detox your skin.
