Your Post-Holiday Season Skin Detox Guide

Scrub Away Your Sins

After a few days of heavy makeup-wearing (and drinking on the same level), our skin can dry right out. The result is often breakouts that feel painful or uncomfortable at the least, due to how dry your complexion has become. After all, alcohol is a known dehydrator, and can have some seriously detrimental short-term effects on your skin. We’re not telling you to give up the NYE champers next year, but it’s important to get on the offensive as soon as you can to restore that complexion back to its glory.

Exfoliants are key to revealing fresher, softer skin post-partying. Although we love a good chemical exfoliant, what you’ll really be needing to buff away flaky areas is a manual exfoliant, AKA a scrub. There’s nothing better than working the granules gently around those problem areas, before washing off to brighter, smoother skin!

Scrubs enriched with key acids will also ensure you’re getting the most of your skincare routine. Go for Glycolic Acid to relieve congestion in all skin types except sensitive, or opt for Lactic Acid if your skin requires something gentler.

Mist & Soothe

There’s nothing worse than feeling dehydrated and exhausted after a few big nights out in a row — we’ve all been there, especially in the lead-up to the new year. One thing you can do, if your skin’s feeling the same, is to go crazy with your favourite facial mist or toner. Packed full of antioxidants and refreshing botanical ingredients, mists and toners are your quick and easy fix when your skin is a little ‘bleh’.

Not only do they help in these hot summer months by cooling you down, but they also ensure moisture is locked into the skin. Toners are also a key product to balancing your skin back out, so they’re definitely a detox essential. Opt for the Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner to tap into a whole range of benefits — this product soothes, calms and hydrates the skin in addition to removing any surface impurities that may have accumulated post-cleansing. Breakout-prone skins will enjoy the MADARA Clarifying Toner, whereas anyone with residual, post-party redness should opt for the Dermalogica UltraCalming Mist.

Multi-Mask

When you’ve been crazy busy attending events and partying your butt off, there are often numerous side effects for the skin. Not only will you probably experience some pesky breakouts, but you’ll be dealing with congestion, uneven texture, eye bags (ugh) and dull, tired skin. Instead of slapping a mask all over your face, perhaps now’s the time to try out multi-masking.

Multi-masking involves applying masks with different benefits to varied areas of the face, thus making the most of what you’ve got to address multiple concerns at once. All you’ll need to get started is a clean brush you don’t mind getting a little dirty, and a few quality masks. We love the Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque for anywhere you’re breaking out — concentrate this on individual spots, or on the T-Zone and cheeks if need be. For radiance, the Pixi by Petra Glow O2 Oxygen Mask is a total must-have, and the Thalgo Hyaluronic Mask is an expert at reviving and hydrating those dry areas.

Brighten & Rejuvenate

Dullness is a frustratingly common thread following the festive period, and for good reason — a whole lot of chocolate and wine, when mixed with lack of sleep, can seriously inhibit radiance. Get your glow back by brightening the skin with a serum or booster that’s been designed especially for brightening and rejuvenating. Although there’s tons to choose from, anything with a good AHA is bound to be a new favourite.

The asap Radiance Serum is a fan-favourite for treating pigmentation, and works by encouraging fast and effective skin cell turnover. Even if you don’t suffer from pigmentation issues, it’s an ideal ‘glow booster’, as the better your skin cells are renewing themselves, the brighter your skin will appear. Another favourite is the MONUPLUS Hydra Lift Serum, the perfect formula for those experiencing both dullness and physical ageing signs. Vitamin C is the kicker ingredient in this one, and works to (you guessed it) prompt skin cell turnover which then leads to a brighter, more radiant complexion.

Don’t forget to swipe a rejuvenating serum under those eyes, too — we all know far too well how partying effects those designer bags. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution + EGCG is your under-eye bags‘ worst nightmare, pumped full of energising caffeine to brighten and awaken those dark circles. Cooling and soothing, it works to calm inflammation for a smoother, brighter appearance.

Lock in Hydration

Last but not least in your skin detox routine is moisturising. A necessary step on the day-to-day (but especially when you’ve dried out your skin from one too many late nights), hydrating the skin will leave it feeling supple and nourished. Of course, not all moisturisers are created equal, so we’ve found a few perfect formulas that are ideal for when your skin’s feeling worse for wear.

Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, such as A, C and E, the Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance is the answer to cracking, peeling or flaking dry skin. This stuff is the real deal, locking in hydration and nutrients via essential fatty acids. Smooth a little on your skin once or twice daily for unmatched moisture. Also renowned for easing up the dehydration when it’s reaching Sahara Desert levels, the Skinstitut Moisture Defence – Ultra Dry is an all-rounder that works to hydrate, soothe, nourish and repair the complexion.

If you’re dry, but not that dry, opt for the Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Refreshing & Refining Moisturiser. Talked about around the world, this product has been lauded by Oprah (!!) for nourishing the skin and locking in water molecules without exacerbating skin types that are typically oily. (After all, you can be oily and dehydrated — use that moisturiser on the reg!)