Late night soirées, rich five-course meals and multiple top-ups on that glass of wine...it’s the most wonderful time of the year! But, unfortunately, not for your skin. 

Read on for tips to tackle a tired-looking visage throughout the holiday season.

1. The night before an event 

Celebrations often include flowing drinks—but alcohol is a diuretic that dehydrates the skin, causes dullness and puffiness, and can exacerbate fine lines and conditions like acne or rosacea. To counteract the effects of dehydration and sleep loss, apply a hydrating mask the night or morning before a big event as a preventive measure.

2. When you get home

No matter how late you’ve stayed up or how tired you are, removing makeup before bed is essential. “Cleansing needs to be thorough every morning and night. It’s the first step to achieving beautiful skin,” says Marie-Michèle Plourde, head of training at Yves Rocher Canada. “Double cleansing is ideal to make sure you’ve effectively removed makeup and other impurities, but if you’re in a rush, use a 3-in-1 product that removes makeup, cleanses and detoxifies.”

Finish with a moisturizer to restore the protective facial barrier and help your skin look plumper, reducing signs of fatigue. You can even add a drop of facial oil to your moisturizer to boost radiance.

Drink plenty of water before bed but also upon waking, Plourde recommends, and use a second pillow to slightly elevate your head while you snooze. This supports lymphatic drainage to reduce any puffiness in the a.m.

3. The morning after

To tackle puffiness, “splash your face with cold water to stimulate circulation. You can even massage the contours of your face with an ice cube wrapped in a soft cloth to bring down any swelling,” says Plourde.

Quartz rollers and eye patches are also great allies thanks to their soothing, depuffing effect. For extra refreshment, pop them in the fridge beforehand. No roller or patch at home? Soak two cotton pads in a gentle micellar water and briefly chill them in the fridge before placing them over your eyes for a five-minute reset.

Gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and help your skin-care products absorb more effectively. Follow up with a hydrating serum and, for dark circles, a caffeine-infused eye treatment to boost microcirculation.

Finish off with an antioxidant-rich moisturizer to help rejuvenate and brighten the complexion. The result? A healthy, luminous glow.

6 must-have skincare products to revive your skin after an event

Yves Rocher Glow Energie Eye Care, $40

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Bubble Skincare Water Slide Hydration Boosting Serum, $20

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Jouviance Hydractiv Cleansing Gel, $27

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PETER THOMAS ROTH Potent-C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer, $92

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Klorane 3-in-1 Micellar Water with Organic Cornflower, $25

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Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Eco Pads, $13

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