Are you ready to party? I can’t wait for the festive party season to start, but… my skin is dreading it. Gobbling on panettone, sipping a sparkling cocktail, and dancing the night away is going to be a lot of fun. But, the next morning, I know I’ll wake up to gigantic dark circles under my eyes. Chances are my skin will look super dull. And, because bad things always come in three, a pimple may found its sneaky way on my nose, too.
Not this time. This year, I’m determined to prevent all that stuff from happening to my skin. This year I’m gonna party in style AND rock my best skin ever. Will you join me? I hope so. Here’s our plan to keep your skin glowy and flawless during the party season:
1. Hydrate Your Skin To Keep It Supple
Cold, harsh winter weather + alcohol = seriously dry and dehydrated skin. And there’s more: alcohol doesn’t just make you pee more – it actually flushes out all the stuff your body needs to hang onto water. That’s why even if you down three glasses of water, you can still wake up feeling like a raisin.
If, unlike this boring teetotaller, you find it hard not to indulge in a tasty Cosmopolitan or Margaritas at Christmas parties, at least have a glass or two of water, as well. That’ll balance out the alcohol and keep your skin well-hydrated. Another quick fix? Swap one of those waters for coconut water or throw an electrolyte tablet in. It’s basically giving your skin the tools to bounce back faster after a night of cocktails.
Another trick is to use serums and moisturizers with hyaluronic acid, an hydration hero that attracts and binds to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water. And don’t forget layering. A lightweight hyaluronic acid serum works best when you sandwich it under a richer moisturizer. Think of it as trapping all that juicy hydration under a blanket so it doesn’t evaporate into thin air while you’re out in the cold. Your skin will never be thirsty again.
Best Picks:
- Niod Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid (£30.00): The most hydrating and plumping serum I’ve tried, it has 13+ forms of Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate every layer of skin. Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, and Niod
- Paula’s Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster ($39.00): A hyaluronic acid serum with ceramides to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and heal dry skin. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, SpaceNK.
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (£7.90): A simple formula with Vitamin B5 to soothe and hydrate skin. It’s fragrant-free and suitable for sensitive skin too. Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary, and Ulta.
Related: Why You Should Add Hyaluronic Acid To Your Skincare Routine
Struggling to create an anti-aging skincare routine that keeps wrinkles at bay and gives your skin a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started. It features product recommendations + right order application:
2. Keep Your Lips Soft & Kissable
Cold weather and alcohol are an even deadlier combination for your skin. Keep them kissable by applying lip balm regularly throughout the day. My favourite ones are rich in oils or shea butter: they create a barrier on the lips that prevents moisture loss and keeps lips soft and smooth.
Best picks:
- Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 ($10.00): A rich formula with in-built sun protection. Available at nd Ulta
- La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Lips ($9.99): The only thing that saved my very chapped lips one super dry winter. Available at Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, and Ulta
- Lanolips 101 Ointment Superbalm ($16.95): A slightly sticky, thick balm that protects lips and treats them when they’re chapped. Available at Boots, Sephora and Ulta
Related: 5 Tips To Treat And Prevent Chapped Lips
3. Exfoliate To Make Your Skin Glow
A bright, glowy complexion is the perfect base for makeup. And it’s so easy to achieve. You just need to exfoliate a few times a week. I do it with glycolic acid, which can also hydrate skin and boost collagen production. If you have oily skin, opt for salicylic acid. It can penetrate inside the pores, keeping breakouts, and the excess oil that causes them, at bay.
Not sure where lactic acid fits in? It’s a gentler cousin of glycolic that still smooths but adds an extra boost of hydration. If your skin tends to get easily irritated, it’s a great “starter” exfoliant that won’t leave you blotchy before a party.
Pro tip: exfoliate at night. Acids make your skin more sensitive to the sun, and the last thing you want is to pair holiday sparkle with a surprise sunburn on your cheeks.
Best Picks:
- Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboois Glycolic Night Serum: A lightweight serum with Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to lighten dark spots and heal pimples. Available at Cult Beauty and SpaceNK
- Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant ($29.00): The gold standard for acne exfoliation, it has a tacky texture that heals and prevents pimples. Available at Paula’s Choice and Selfridges
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (£6.80): A gentle, no-frills Glycolic Acid exfoliant for people on a budget. Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, The Ordinary, and Ulta
Related: Glycolic Acid VS Salicylic Acid: Which One Should You Use?
4. Banish Last Minute Spots
Pimples have an annoying habit of springing up before a Christmas party, don’t they? I guess they want to join in on the fun, as well. But we won’t let them, ladies, right? We can easily banish them with a spot treatment.
Just make sure it contains either sulfur or benzoyl peroxide. They kill the bacteria that causes acne, but they’re harsh. Use them on your pimples only! And here’s the catch – both of these can leave flaky patches if you pile on too much. Always follow up with a plain moisturizer around the area to keep the rest of your skin calm.
P.S. If you’re into natural remedies, try tea tree oil. It works just as well as BP (but only at 5% concentrations! – and you must dilute it first!)
Best Picks:
- Epionce Purifying Spot Gel ($42.00): My fave, it kills pimples faster than everything else I’ve ever tried. Available at at Dermstore
- Indie Lee Blemish Lotion ($26.00): A basic sulfur treatment that does the job well. Available at Cult Beauty and Dermstore,
- Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17.00): An affordable alternative to get rid of pimples quickly. Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, SpaceNK, and Ulta
Related: Benzoyl Peroxide VS Salicylic Acid: Which One Should You Choose?
5. Perk Up Those Tired Eyes
Drinking, dancing, eating… Partying all night with family and friends is so much fun. But there’s a price to pay: dark circles. Ugh! If you can, get a solid 8 hours’ sleep the night before the party, so that you’ll look fresh-faced in the evening.
But let’s be real – sometimes sleep just doesn’t happen. If you wake up puffy, grab a couple of cold teaspoons from the fridge and press them under your eyes for a quick de-puffing hack before reaching for your eye cream. Cooling constricts blood vessels and instantly tones down the swelling.
Related: Is Vitamin K An Effective Treatment For Dark Circles?
6. Use A Sheet Mask For Any Last Minute Fix
Good skin doesn’t happen in a day. It’s the result of a healthy diet, exercise, and the right skincare products diligently applied every day. But, if you’re having a bad skin day, and are in need of a quick fix, try a sheet mask. Think of sheet masks like a booster: whenever your skin’s feeling worse for wear, a sheet mask can plump up the hydration levels and give your face a fresh, radiant glow.
Some sheet masks also come loaded with ingredients like niacinamide or vitamin C, which brighten your complexion fast – perfect if you’re trying to fake eight hours of sleep in thirty minutes. Just remember: the effects are temporary. They’re your skincare equivalent of a push-up bra, not a full wardrobe upgrade. But, don’t use sheet masks as an excuse to neglect your skincare routine. Your skin won’t like that!
Related: How To Choose The Best Type Of Face Mask For Your Skin Type
7. Wash It All Off Before You Go To Bed
I know, I know, after partying into the wee hours of the morning, who can be bothered to remove their makeup? Well, at the risk of sounding like a Grinch, you should, my friend. Makeup mixed with sweat and grime from the dance floor clogs pores faster than anything else. That’s how you wake up not just with dullness but also with those “mystery” bumps that seem to appear overnight.
Do you really want that, especially if you have another party to attend soon? Thought so. Do your skin a favour and remove your makeup with an oil-based cleanser. It’s the fastest (and gentlest) way to do it. 😉
Best pick:
- Banila Co. Clean It Zero ($29.00): A rich cream that removes makeup and grime quickly. Available at Soko Glam, Superdrug, and Yes Style
- Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm ($29.00/£24.00): An oil-based makeup remover that cleanses skin without leaving a greasy residue behind. Available at Boots, Clinique, Sephora and Ulta
Related: Truth Or Myth: Is Going To Bed With Your Makeup On Really As Bad As They Say?
8. Don’t Forget Your Body Skin
We all baby our faces and then act surprised when the rest of our body looks like sandpaper under fairy lights. Winter air + indoor heating = dry patches on arms, legs, even your back if you’re lucky enough to show it off in a dress. Nothing kills party confidence faster than realising your shoulders are flaking while you’re trying to look hot in sequins.
Here’s the deal: your body needs the same love as your face. A thick cream with ceramides or shea butter is basically non-negotiable right now because it seals in all the hydration. Oat extract is another lifesaver – it calms down the itch that comes with winter dryness (and saves you from scratching like a maniac mid-party).
If you want bonus points, throw in a body scrub once or twice a week. It gets rid of the dead skin that makes lotion just sit there instead of sinking in. Think of it like prepping the canvas so your glow doesn’t stop at your jawline.
Common Party-Skin Questions
Do supplements help when I’m drinking more?
They’re not magic, but they don’t hurt. Omega-3s help keep inflammation in check, vitamin C gives your skin a bit more resilience, and even a basic multivitamin can stop you from running on empty. Just don’t treat them like a free pass to down six cocktails – supplements can back you up, but they won’t erase tequila.
Can I use a face mask right before makeup?
Absolutely – in fact, it’s one of the fastest cheats for good skin. Just make sure it’s a hydrating or brightening one. A clay mask right before a party is asking for patchy foundation and tight, cranky skin.
Should I skip retinol during party season?
Nope. Retinol is your long game player. But don’t slap it on the night you’re heading out – it can make skin more sensitive, and piling on makeup over that is just asking for irritation. Save it for your “home nights,” when you’re Netflix-ing instead of dancing.
The Bottom Line
Look, you can totally have fun and still not wreck your skin. Drink your cocktails, eat your panettone, dance until your feet hurt – just don’t be lazy with the basics. Slam some water, exfoliate when you need to, keep your lips and body from turning into the Sahara, and wipe your makeup off no matter how tipsy you are. Do that and you’ll wake up looking human instead of like you lost a fight with the dance floor.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
