24-Hour Skin Detox

The festive season has been a blast and the mirror is proof… But don’t worry, we’ve got the products to jump-start your holiday-hangover face recovery for your first day back at work.

- Gotlhok Wang Angoma-mzini and Wendy Schmid

BEAUTY

Parties, late nights, post-picnic lie ins – these all add up to a holiday hangover. And now you’re coming down hard. Between alcohol’s dehydrating effects and the damage caused by sweet treats, your skin didn’t stand a chance And get this: when you’re munching on ice-cream, marshmallows and mince pies, the sugar in these holiday regulars attaches to proteins in your bloodstream, forming harmful molecules called advanced glycation end products (or, appropriately, AGEs). The more sugar you eat, the more AGEs you develop and as they grow, they also damage nearby proteins, creating a domino effect. Most vulnerable to damage: collagen and elastin, the protein fibres that keep skin firm and elastic. The not-so-sweet fallout: a more tired-looking face. Of course, rest, downing water and exercising will help – but you need a first aid kit for right now. Pump your skin with goodness from the outside in with these face-saving buys…

24 HOURS BEFORE: WAKE UP

Moisture gets sucked out of your skin and lips during sleep and what’s left tends to collect around your eyes, where skin is more delicate, says dermatologist Dr Francesca Fusco. Then, at around 4am, your body temperature, blood pressure and hormone levels begin to rise, kicking the skin’s oily-to-dry ratio up a notch.

RESCUE REMEDY: Even on a clean pillowcase, your skin can get “dirty”. A moisturising, non-foaming cleanser will remove impurities and hydrate skin. Lipidol Cleansing Face Oil (R80) dissolves make-up residue and washes it away without stripping the skin of its natural goodness. Follow with a pH-restoring toner, such as Placecol Pore-Refining Mist (R270). Then finish with a moisturiser that’ll help with hydration. Try Clarins Multi- Active Day SPF20 Cream (R695).