How to hide your ‘festive wine face’ – cheap tricks to tackle cracked lips, rosy cheeks & a sagging turkey neck
HUGE hangovers shouldn’t be your only booze-related concern this festive season.
Drinking too much alcohol can contribute to ageing skin, too.
From rosacea to dull-looking complexions and saggy skin it can accelerate ageing, leading to fine lines and wrinkles.
So it’s little wonder that celebs including Susanna Reid and Jennifer Lopez have previously quit booze for better skin.
Today skin specialist and aesthetic nurse Emma Wedgwood tells Mia Lyndon how to keep your skin looking good through party season . . . and we hear why one mum steers clear of alcohol altogether.
FOREHEAD
THE SIGNS: A crushing headache isn’t the only bad affect of booze.
Emma says: “Alcohol hinders collagen production, which can lead to premature ageing, and your forehead is especially prone to showing more prominent wrinkles and fine lines.”
BEAT IT: While there’s no quick fix, a regular skincare routine that rejuvenates your skin can reduce your chances.
“Your forehead may benefit from anti-ageing products containing ingredients like retinol,” advises Emma.
Apply the Olay Retinol24 night serum, £18.99, Superdrug, after cleansing, and follow up with a moisturiser. Begin using it once weekly and build up usage gradually.
EYES
THE SIGNS: Dark circles are common symptoms of a night out, but lack of sleep isn’t the only cause.
Emma says: “Alcohol dehydrates the body, causing a dull complexion and puffiness and redness around the eyes.”
BEAT IT: If you’ve partied hard, it’s important you rehydrate your skin – and this doesn’t just mean drinking a pint of water. “Hydrating eye creams, with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, can be beneficial,” recommends Emma.
The CeraVe eye repair cream, £14 from Boots, has a hydrating formula that specifically targets puffy, fatigued eyes.
CHEEKS
THE SIGNS: Flushed cheeks are a hangover hallmark – but what actually causes them?
“Alcohol dilates blood vessels, causing redness and flushing, which can be particularly noticeable in those with conditions like rosacea,” says Emma.
BEAT IT: Calming your skin after booze is especially important for those prone to inflammation.
Emma says: “For individuals with pre-existing skin conditions, alcohol can worsen symptoms, leading to increased redness and inflammation over time.”
After a night out, reach for a calming moisturiser, such as the Eucerin sensitive skin redness relief soothing night creme, £16, Amazon, which tackles redness and soothes skin.
MOUTH
THE SIGNS: As we age, our lips and the skin that surrounds them naturally lose elasticity, leaving them thinner and more lined.
With alcohol known to accelerate this process, it’s important to keep this area nourished and hydrated.
Chilly weather batters this area, which has a higher proportion of blood vessels, meaning it is more susceptible to rosacea, too.
“Alcohol consumption can result in dryness, cracked lips, and increased wrinkles around the mouth and its surrounding areas,” says Emma.
BEAT IT: During the cooler months, you’re probably already putting on lip balm, but ensure you keep it close after a night out.
“After drinking, keeping lips moisturised with a quality lip balm is crucial,” says Emma.
The Weleda Skin Food Lip Balm, £6.95 from Holland & Barrett, is a nourishing, natural-based formula perfect for reviving chapped lips.
NECK
THE SIGNS: Turkey neck might sound quite festive, but it’s something you’ll want to swerve this December.
“Continuous alcohol consumption can impair the skin’s natural ability to repair and regenerate,” says Emma.
“Specifically, the neck can display sagging and a loss of elasticity.”#
BEAT IT: You might think that you’ve got your skincare routine down to a T, but there is something that most people miss.
Emma explains: “To address the effects of alcohol, targeted skincare is essential, so extending your routine to the neck is advisable.”
When massaging serums or moisturisers into your face, continue applying right down to your neck.
The Re-Elastic face & neck serum, £15, Beauty Pie, offers firming results for both neck and face.
‘One drink and I go bright red’
MENTAL Health advocate Rachel Green’s face turns bright red if she has just one glass of wine. The 44-year-old and long-term partner Chris Hurn, 48, a gardener, have two children, aged 22 and 17, and live in Borehamwood, Herts. She says:
I STARTED suffering from “red face” ten years ago when I was 34. I had my two sons and was out at a party when one woman started pointing and staring at my apparently bright red face asking what was wrong.
Everyone turned their attention to me and I wanted to run for cover. I couldn’t believe she was shaming me for my rosy cheeks.
I feel like an erupting volcano after even half a glass of Baileys or a small glass of watered-down wine.
On one occasion I was enjoying a glass of champers with some mum friends and another mum pointed at me, saying, “What’s wrong with your face? It’s all red”.
Sometimes people tell me I have overdone my blusher and one well-meaning friend even suggested I need make-up lessons from a professional, which was hurtful.
One time another friend asked what time of day I’d started drinking because my face was a fiery red, and said, “Oh look at boozy you”. I felt so embarrassed.
These days I barely drink because of how red my face gets. It’s humiliating for me when it happens.
It often develops into angry red blotches that take an entire day to disappear.
The worst part is that when my face turns red it can get really hot – I start sweating and my make-up runs.
I can’t wear foundation to cover it up because it ends up swimming down my neck, showing off even more of my rapidly reddening face.
My friends always think I’ve had more to drink, and I feel like I’m constantly having to explain myself.
To be the centre of attention for a red face at a party surrounded by people glammed up to the nines has destroyed my confidence.
Instead of letting loose, I stick to water or drop my head and sink back into the crowd.
ROSACEA
THIS is a term given to skin redness. We don’t know exactly how or why rosacea occurs, but it affects up to 85 per cent of us.
There are some triggers, such as alcohol, cold weather and spicy food, which can result in broken capillaries or a diffused redness under the skin.
Skincare won’t get rid of rosacea but helps to manage symptoms.
Vitamin C can help with discolouration, SPF can prevent the sun from triggering rosacea. Laser treatments are one of the few options that can actually tackle it.
What’s your tipple?
WINE – Emma says: “This drink can have specific impacts on the skin due to its histamine content, which can contribute to redness and flushing, potentially exacerbating conditions like rosacea.
“Additionally, the alcohol content in wine can dehydrate the body, contributing to dry skin and a dull complexion.”
BEER – Emma says: “The yeast content in beer is known to trigger inflammatory responses, leading to redness and irritation. Beer also contains alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration, resulting in dry skin when consumed excessively.
“The carbohydrate content in some beers can also influence skin health, particularly for those prone to acne.”
SPIRITS – Emma says: “Spirits, particularly clear ones like vodka, generally have a lower histamine content compared to beverages like wine, so they are less likely to cause flushing or redness in the skin.
“However, the overall alcohol content can be dehydrating, potentially leading to dry skin and contributing to premature ageing.”
SOFT AND FIZZY DRINKS – Emma says: “The high sugar content in soft and fizzy drinks, is linked to inflammation, which may exacerbate conditions like acne and rosacea. Additionally, the carbonation in fizzy drinks can contribute to bloating and may affect the skin’s elasticity.
“The artificial additives and preservatives found in some soft drinks can also trigger skin sensitivities in certain individuals.”