Christmas Skin Survival Guide – Part 3

Listen up my beauties! What I’m about to share, will not only have you feeling bouncier in the morning, but will hopefully spare your complexion from being left high and dry.

Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate!
Ok ok... You may have heard it a thousand times before, but this doesn’t mean ignore it – on the contrary, when rituals are repeated, it’s time to take notice. Hydration is absolutely crucial! In the many days around your big night, include as many forms of pure life-giving water as you can, to ensure hydration levels are at optimum. Remember you can also eat your water by upping your intake of plant-based foods, with the added bonus of antioxidants. Water doesn’t have to be dull! Get creative with fresh fruit infusions such as cucumber, mint leaves, berries, watermelon or citrus (especially lemon!) to assist with detoxification of your liver, and much needed Vitamin C. Add a dash of apple cider vinegar (raw with the mother) before meals to aid digestion and assist with keeping your body alkaline (More on little gem later).

Eat protein and dose up on the “Healthy Fats” before you drink
Never ever drink on an empty stomach, not only does alcohol affect you more, it just puts too much extra pressure on your liver. Protein and healthy fats are broken down more slowly than carbohydrates or sugars and stay in the stomach for longer. Since alcohol is inflammatory, I believe in countering the effects by eating foods and fats that are anti-inflammatory before you head out. Think about an Indian curry cooked with Turmeric, fish, beans and lentils, mixed nuts, and let’s not forget your greens such as broccoli, kale or spinach.

Line your stomach with essential fatty acids, to help coat your stomach and replenish levels of fatty acids that may be depleted later through alcohol consumption. It can be helpful to take a few capsules of a good quality fish oil or an omega-3 supplement, add to this a teaspoon of black seed oil, which are both anti-inflammatory, and a source of omega 6 such as olive oil, or even ½ an avocado (save the other half for your face!) with the added bonus of skin-softening Vitamins.

Electrolytes and Minerals
Obvious, but still often ignored is the ritual of water between each alcoholic drink. We always like to take things up a notch though, and recommend adding in some mineral water (from a glass bottle). Not only does it deliver a delicious fizzy taste, that tricks you into feeling like you’re still drinking, but it also contains you guessed it, minerals! San Pellegrino for example, has some of the highest levels of sulphate, together with calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and other trace minerals, to give your skin and body a boost...

Many people reach for a form of electrolytes the next morning. While these energy drinks may have these, they also contain other artificial sweeteners and preservatives you just don’t need. So let's welcome coconut water to the party! A potent beautifier, this natural electrolyte drink is loaded with vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium to boost radiance, all while keeping us hydrated at the before and after-party!

Activated Charcoal
Ok... this is one out of the box, and may seem a little too woo-woo for many. While there are no scientific studies to back up these claims, I could give you a list as long as my arm, that includes many people who swear by this remedy. Activated charcoal is said to counteract ingested poisons and enhance digestive health, with tiny pores that capture, bind, and remove up to 100 times the charcoal’s weight in toxins, which rumour has it, includes alcohol. According to Dave Asprey, founder and CEO of Bulletproof, from his study on hangover hacks, he developed with Steve Fowkes, a biochemist. Take 4 activated charcoal capsules after you’re done drinking (or if you choose beer or wine, take 1 capsule with each drink). He also recommends Vitamin C (1 capsule) B- complex Vitamins (3-4 grams) Alpha Lipoic Acid (400mg) and N-Acetyl Cysteine (600mg) before you start drinking.

To your blossoming xxx

Read Step 2: Christmas Skin Survival Guide

Read Step 4: Christmas Skin Survival Guide