One of my friends has fantastic skin, the type of skin where people actually ask her what her skincare routine is. What’s her secret for perfect skin? She hasn’t had a drink in eight years. Unfortunately, I love the refreshing taste of a spicy cucumber margarita too much too much for sobriety to be a skincare option for me to consider.
She might be onto something, though. When I was a child (read: college-aged), I could drink without the effects showing up on my skin. Following a night out with friends, I used to be able to go to bed, sometimes with makeup still on my face, wake up, splash some water on my skin, then do it all over again without any consequences. Sadly, as I’ve officially entered my late twenties, this is no longer the case. Now when I wake up in the morning, my skin looks lackluster, my face is puffy, and I can feel zits threatening to make their way to the surface.
If you don’t want to give up your semi-healthy relationship to alcohol, the next best thing for great skin is a great skincare routine. Now that my skin reflects my affinity for tequila, I eventually landed on a skincare routine that can resurrect my skin despite a pesky hangover. Discover the optimum hydrating routine below.
Double Cleanse Your Skin
First, you want your skin to be clean—no remnants of foundation smudged against your hairline or bronzer underneath your jaw. I start by massaging in an oil cleanser from One Love Organics into my skin. The consistency is so light and it smells nice, like the lobby of a really nice hotel. I’ll usually grab a gua sha and go to town on my face in hopes of uncovering my cheekbones while letting the cleanser sit on my skin for a minute or two. Then, I’ll rinse off the oil cleanser and follow up with a second cleanser from Origins. My skin feels absolutely clean but still comfortable and not stripped at all.
Apply a Mask
After a big night, my skin feels congested, dull, and puffy, so I’ll reach for Renee Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. Its texture is jelly-like and it’s formulated with a bunch of gentle acids that come together to give you smoother, more even-toned skin. (The mask is also bright red so I wouldn’t recommend answering the door while it’s on your face, unless you want your UPS delivery man to scream.) I’ll follow up the exfoliating mask with the Rapid Response Detox Mask. It’s rich, comforting, and immediately relieves redness and inflammation.
Dab on Toner
Now it’s time to start infusing hydration back into your thirsty skin. I’ll tap Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer into my face. My skin drinks it right up; it instantly makes it feel so quenched and soothed, it’s almost as if my face sighs with relief.
Layer on the Serums
First, I’ll apply a layer of La Mer The Concentrate Serum. Look, I know it’s expensive but I’m obsessed with it. It’s a lightweight and scentless gel serum with a luxe velvet texture that deeply plumps and soothes my skin while handling my skin tone clarity. It’s never let me down once, which is more than I can say for the men that bought me drinks at the bar the night before. Then I’ll apply Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid on top for some more hydration action. (Yes, Mrs. Bieber’s skincare line is actually good.)
Massage in a Moisturizer
Once my serums have soaked in and I’m feeling smooth, I’ll work in a few dollops of Futurewise Slug Cream. When I first apply the cream, it melts into my skin without suffocating my pores. Finally, I’ll finish off my American Psycho-esque routine by coating my lips in Aquaphor. Contrary to what my recommendation of a $400 serum might say about me, I really am a simple gal.
