Your face’s survival guide.

YOUR FACE’S SURVIVAL GUIDE

• WORDS: grüum

Preparing to indulge yourself a little this party season? Aren’t we all? Tired skin is inevitable after any heavy weekend, but the several parties that Christmas brings make it even more important to keep your skin feeling its best after all those late nights out.

As the old saying goes, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. And when it comes to healthy skin, this couldn’t be truer. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll look fresh as a daisy through December and beyond.

REFUEL

We know how easy it is to click on that takeaway app when you’re feeling worse for wear. That’s fine, on the odd occasion, but if you have several Christmas dos and find yourself reaching for a greasy burger after each one, the effect on your skin is going to be really detrimental.

Studies have shown that we’re much more likely to crave fatty carb-rich foods when we’re tired, so making sure you grab a decent night’s shut-eye on your nights off will help keep those cravings at bay and your skin feeling fresh.

Your body uses nutrients to process alcohol, which means a top-up is usually in order after a period of heavy drinking. When it comes to tired skin, a lack of vitamin A is often to blame. It plays a big part in cell renewal, so without it, skin can lose its glow.

The good news is Vitamin A is prevalent in lots of everyday foods, with veg like carrots, sweet potato, kale and broccoli all being great sources. Now, you could go for a green super-smoothie, but if that’s not your thing, then a roast dinner is a perfectly reasonable (and arguably much more satisfying) option. And also much more appropriate to Christmas. Not only have you got the goodness of the veggies, but you’ve also got those carb cravings covered with potatoes and Yorkshire puds. Sounds like a win to us.

REHYDRATE

We’re all familiar with that feeling when you wake up after a night on the sauce, mouth dryer than the Sahara. Just like the rest of your body, your skin will also be in serious need of water.

It’s important to bear in mind that there’s a difference between dehydrated skin and dry skin (confusing, we know). Dehydrated skin comes from a general lack of water in the body, whereas dry skin is a lack of oil being produced. The symptoms of both are pretty similar (tightness, dullness, rough texture) but dehydrated skin needs to be treated from the inside by drinking more water. It’s also worth noting that dehydrated skin can still be oily, so even if you don’t have those classic ‘dry skin’ symptoms, it doesn’t mean you’ve dodged the bullet.

It’s age-old advice for party season, but sticking a pint of water by your bed before you head out and making sure you drink it all before your head hits the pillow will have a huge benefit for your skin as well as your hangover the next day.

Even if you’re not been drinking, we’d always recommend trying to drink at least two litres of water a day. It can sound pretty daunting at first, but the difference it can make to the appearance of your skin is amazing.

THEN GIVE IT SOME TLC ON THE OUTSIDE

So that’s the inside sorted. But for an instant fix for tired skin, there’s nothing better than treating yourself to a mini home facial. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

You will need:

kóri exfoliating face wash
1x banana
1x tsp honey
Tea bags or cucumber slices
gösta facial tonic
kåre daily moisturiser

Step 1 – Cleanse and exfoliate

You’ll want to start by making sure your face is clean and free of any dead skin cells. Our kóri exfoliating face wash has a formulation that’s ideal for treating tired skin. Soothing witch hazel and aloe vera will ease any puffiness; a common side effect of too much alcohol and salty foods. It also contains orange oil to brighten the skin and provide a much-needed hit of vitamin C.

Step 2 – Treat yourself to a face mask

This step is optional, but if you’re serious about reviving your tired skin, then a moisturising face mask can work wonders – especially if a packed party scheduled means you’re struggling to fit in enough shut-eye.

Just mash up a medium-sized banana into a paste, mix in a teaspoon of honey, and you’ve got a simple homemade face mask made from stuff you probably had knocking around in the kitchen. Leave on for around 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water and a clean flannel.

Tip: To help banish dark circles, pop some cold tea bags or cucumber slices over your eyes while the mask is doing its business.

Step 3 – Tone

A toner is brilliant for soothing tired skin and rebalancing your complexion. Our gösta facial tonic will provide your skin with another soothing hit of witch hazel and aloe vera, so you can seriously say goodbye to any of that puffiness. Chamomile is another star ingredient, promoting a healthy glow and working to heal and restore skin’s natural moisture content.

Step 4 – Moisturise

We’d hope that moisturiser is already a staple part of your daily routine, but it’s extra important after during a period of heavy partying. Hopefully, you’ve already replenished those internal water levels, but the surface of your skin will be in need too. Again, we’re all about those natural ingredients. A good layer of kåre will provide your tired skin with a hit of revitalising nutrients.

grüum are here to shave the world: one chin, one shin, one armpit (and naughty bit) at a time. They create seriously good razors and skincare solutions for men and women. You’ll find loads more tips and advice on their blog. Or give them a shout on FacebookTwitter or Instagram. Plus, if you fancy treating yourself or someone else this party season, you can get 50% off gift sets with code: XMAS50.