A FESTIVE SKIN DETOX

Raise your hand if you (like me) had your Christmas Party on Friday night... This is definitely the time of year when my skin takes a beating in the form of lots of naughty food and copious amounts of alcohol being consumed, paired with lots of late nights! These are the products I reach for when my skin just needs a bit of a detox and a transformation after some questionable lifestyle choices...

My skin often gets quite dull and tired with the combination of the cold weather and the eating and drinking I indulge in over the Christmas period, so I like to use an exfoliating treatment. My absolute favourite is the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask* | £55.50 | full review. This is both a physical and manual exfoliator and contains fine polishing particles as well as pumpkin enzymes to smooth, soften and brighten the skin in under 15 minutes, revealing a fresh layer of skin. This also smells amazing and festive! 

I love using mud-based products to give my skin a deep cleanse and help get rid of any blemishes. Although I always remove my makeup after a night out, when I'm really tired I probably don't do the best job! This can mean I get breakouts and the next day I just want my skin to feel totally clean and pure (does anyone else have skin that pretty much instantly reacts to their lifestyle?) The first product I love for this is the Niod Flavanone Mud Mask* | £29 | full review. This mask definitely hardens on the skin and feels quite intense but it really draws out those impurities an when I rinse it off my skin feel so soft, smooth and fresh. For a more gentle option, I reach for the Omorovicza Mud Moor Thermal Cleansing Balm* | £17 (travel size). This feels soooo beautiful on the skin; it's definitely a treat if you've abused your poor skin with face wipes the night before... It warms on the skin and is so cleansing but hydrating at the same time. It softens and plumps my skin whilst also giving it that refreshed feeling. 

I also have a few face masks for hydration and general skin TLC. The first is the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Face Mask* | £22 | full review. I think this must be my third or fourth tube of this stuff, because it's what I reach for when my skin needs an all-round pick-me-up. It has a runny, honey-like consistency that's so nice and hydrating when left for 20 minutes on dry, tired skin. The antibacterial properties of honey also means it helps keep any breakouts at bay. I also love the Dr Roebuck's Tama Healing Face Mask* | £25 | full review | with turmeric, manuka honey and avocado oil. This is just so soothing, calming and hydrating on sensitive, irritated or dry skin. Overnight I use the Pixi Nourishing Sleep Mask | £18 | full review | which I really do need to repurchase! It isn't thick or greasy but definitely lives up to the 'nourishing' claim. When I wake up the next morning, my skin is softer, plumper and looks nice and healthy. 

When I want to look wide awake, I like to use the Ordinary's Caffeine Solution | £5.80 | full review. This is a gel-formula eye treatment that I really like because my eye area isn't overly dehydrated so I don't like to use thick, heavy creams. This definitely de-puffs things and makes me look a bit more alive after a late night! 

For fresh, dewy skin when my complexion is dehydrated there are a few products I like to use the morning after the night before. I start with the Fresh Soy Cleanser* | £30 | full review | which is a gorgeous, non-foaming gel cleanser with natural ingredients. It softens and cleans, whilst also being hydrating. It can also be used to remove makeup, so if you have any traces of last night remaining, it will take care of that as well as clearing your pores of impurities. After that, I spray my skin with the Pixi Rose Glow Mist* | £16 | full review | which is blended with hydrating flower oils. It plumps my skin to make it look fresh and dewy, plus you can even use it over makeup. Next I apply the Caudalie SOS Thirst-Quenching Hydrating Serum* | £29 | full review. This has a lightweight, almost water-like consistency, meaning it doesn't overwhelm the skin or clog the pores but the grape water and hyaluronic acid in this serum resurrect my dehydrated skin. Then, finally, for a dewy look I finish off with the Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisturising Cream | £42. This is one of those water-cream products that melts beautifully on the skin. It gives such a fresh, healthy look to my complexion and is so hydrating and calming, making it perfect for post-party skin. 

To keep my lips nourished and for dry patches of skin, I always have my Glossier Coconut Balm Dotcom | £10 | full review | on hand. It's nothing special or fancy; just a skin salve that works and smells great! It softens my lips without being overly heavy or shiny on them and I like to use it on my nose when I have a cold and the skin on it gets dry and sore from all of the tissues.

Which products do you use to give your skin a bit of love during the festive period?

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Disclosure - products marked * were gifted to me as unpaid advertisement for the brands / websites mentioned. All opinions expressed are my own. Please read my disclosure page for more information.