Words: Zak Maoui
In association with:
A big alcohol-fuelled night out may seem fun, well, on the night, but the next day it's a whole different story. There's the headache. The sickness. The distinct lack of memory. The desire to eat everything that's salty and bad for you. And dried out, lacklustre skin. And while we can't really help with the headache (other than advise a good packet of pain killers), we can tell you what to do when it comes to brightening and rejuvenating your skin.
Because after all, alcohol is really quite bad for your skin. It is a diuretic, meaning it's a dehydrating force to be reckoned with. What's more, drinking excessive amounts can cause rosacea, a skin disorder that leaves sufferers with flushed and blushed skin, and in some cases broken capillaries in the face. In short, it's doing nothing for stressed out skin. And it won't just be the next day that it's wreaking havoc on your skin. It will last a few days and sometimes even over a week. Alcohol might be fun on the night (or day, depending your habits), but it isn't fun when you look in the mirror.
But Dr Sebagh, the French skincare super expert, has got it right. He and his team of in-house dermatologists have come up with a step-by-step plan that'll aid your skin in post-night out recovery, leaving you with a complexion that'll look like you'd never touched a drop of alcohol.
First up, you need Dr Sebagh's Breakout Foaming Cleanser. "Your daily fast-acting skin cleanser, it works deep to leave the face fresh, shine-free and comfortable," says Dr Sebagh. It uses a blend of sodium lauryl oat amino acids, sebum-balancing acetates and blueberry flower water to rid the skin of dirt, making it the perfect base layer for the rest of the products.
Once you've cleansed, you should apply a quick-working mask. Giving skin the ultimate refresh in just five minutes, using azelaic and lactic acid to buff away dead skin cells, Dr Sebagh's Deep Exfoliating Mask is a quick fix to alcohol-affected skin. It reveals brighter, fresher skin, and leaves it feeling smoother.
Following the Deep Exfoliating Mask, apply Dr Sebagh's Skin Perfecting Mask. Skin that has been ultra-dehydrated from drinking leads to more visibly prominent pores, while alcohol can stimulate oil production in the skin, which in turn can mix with dead skin cells and dirt to clog pores. Dr Sebagh's Skin Perfecting Mask is a clay-based answer. In-house it's referred to as the "vacuum cleaner", as it draws impurities out from deep within pores and minimises their appearance.
Following the double masking (and rinsing), it's time to start applying products that you'll leave on for the rest of the day. Use one drop of Dr Sebagh's Serum Repair, which is heavy on the hyaluronic acid, to instantly hydrate skin. Acting like a sponge, the hyaluronic acid in this serum attracts and retains water, plumping the skin and reducing fine lines and signs of ageing and tiredness. On top of this your skin will be in need of moisture. The Vital Cream is extremely lightweight, yet rich in emollients and fatty acids, which work to restore the skin’s essential barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss (a big factor in excessive drinking). It also uses vitamin C to boost collagen and provide antioxidant protection.
And there's another serum you'll need to sponge the effects of a big night drinking, but this one should only be used as part of your night time regime (retinols shouldn't be used in direct sunlight). Dr Sebagh's Retinol Night Repair harnesses the power of vitamin A (considered a top anti-ageing ingredient due to its various benefits for the skin) with intensively hydrating oils. It will minimise open pores, help with alcohol-induced hyperpigmentation, increase cellular turnover and, importantly, fights free radicals which are found in the air as well as in alcohol. David Gandy is a fan, saying "Retinol Night Repair is my go-to product before every photoshoot."
And that's it. It's not hard to get your skin back to its best (you could just avoid alcohol in the first place, but where's the fun in that?). And Dr Sebagh's quick-step routine will have you looking better than you did before you quenched your skin with the nasty stuff. Failing that, head to Dr Sebagh headquarters at Chandos House and book in for a facial, where someone will do it all for you.
Want more skincare? Read up on the best new grooming products we've found this week
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