We’ve all seen the horror of our reflection after a wild night on the town. As if the bright light of morning and the pounding in your hear weren’t enough, what happened to your face? If you’ve stood at the sink and thought you were looking into the eyes of a bad celebrity mug shot, you’re not alone. Alcohol, smoke and not nearly enough sleep can take a toll on your skin. Here are a few of the ways we put our skin through the ringer in the name of a good time.

Dehydration

Although it comes in liquid form, don’t let alcohol fool you – it will suck the moisture out of your cells faster than you can say “apple martini.” Think rubbing alcohol and you get the idea. When you drink, the alcohol goes into your blood stream and dries out your body as it courses through it. You won’t notice it so much while you’re out, but overnight, when that bed beckons and you fall asleep, that alcohol is still pulling moisture out of every cell it basses through – like a day spent hitchhiking through the Sahara for every round you ordered. Well, maybe not that bad, but you get the idea. So as your body steadily dehydrates, your pores tighten up and trap anything and everything inside. Your cells actually shrink, leaving tiny gaps between them. And when you awake, there is rough, bumpy sandpaper where there used to be smooth, meticulously hydrated skin.

Tip: Drink one glass of water for each alcoholic drink you consume. Your skin will thank you for it.

Breakout Alert

What’s a night on the town without some dancing? Maybe a little, maybe a lot. And of course the club will be warm – hot even. So you’re going to sweat – it’s just a fact. And there are people everywhere. The air is full of who knows what – certainly cigarette smoke. Was that someone coughing? And your skin is slick with sweat and excess oil, so every cloud of smoke you pass through has the opportunity to hitch a ride on your face. And when you leave the club for the cool air of the night or an air-conditioned cab, your pores slam shut, holding all that nastiness hostage. And as the alcohol dehydrates your skin, your pores stay tight. As far as a breakout is concerned, this is the perfect storm.

Tip: Take some facial cleansing cloths along with you to give your face a quick touch-up every hour or so while you’re out.

Lapse of Sanity

We’re not talking about guys here – we’re talking about the alarming number of women who completely forego their evening skincare regime after a night on the town. The bed is beckoning. Your feet hurt. But you’re carrying a Petri dish on your face! Take the time to cleanse and remove your makeup before you sleep. The last thing you want is to wake up in the morning with a screaming headache AND a monster pimple – the headache is going to be bad enough.

Tip: If you’re feeling that second wind coming on, use a moisturizing face mask before heading off to bed. It can help to counteract the drying effects of the alcohol and it’ll feel pretty good too.

Related Articles
	Calling All Party Animals You can still be the life of the party and not have to give up that healthy look to your skin. While it might seem to be an oxymoron, you can have a great complexion and a social life as well. Gone are the days when you had to be home with the lights out by ten o’clock. You can go out, have a good time, and look   ...Read more		How to Look Like You Woke Up This Way ave you ever seen those women who look like they’re not wearing even a hint of makeup, but look absolutely gorgeous? Sure you have. They’re the ones on the treadmill in front of you at the gym, in line behind you on a Sunday at the coffee shop or spreading out a towel next to you at the beach.   ...Read more