The skincare reset: Simple ways to improve your skin this January

Overdone it during the silly season? Help is at hand

"Be it from central heating or high levels of glucose, collagen and elastin proteins in the skin can become impaired as a result of our jolly festivities, causing a breakdown of its springy structure."

Silly season comes with hard truths: hangovers, stress and the bad skin days that inevitably follow.

Be it from central heating or high levels of glucose, collagen and elastin proteins in the skin can become impaired as a result of our jolly festivities, causing a breakdown of its springy structure. 

As well as skin losing its elasticity, it can also lead to increased sebum production, dehydration and a rougher, more uneven skin surface. 

So, how to tackle skin in need of a January reset? We asked the experts.

Double cleanse

Caroline Hirons’ The Cleansing Balm (€70, Brown Thomas)

Double cleansing (the process of cleansing twice in the evening), is a really effective way to remove all traces of makeup, impurities and pollutants. 

Not only can inadequate cleansing contribute to congestion and dullness, but not getting all that deep-set dirt out of your pores will render much of what you apply afterwards virtually useless — including that expensive serum that Santa was kind enough to deliver. 

Go in with something gentle and nourishing like Caroline Hirons’ The Cleansing Balm (€70, Brown Thomas) or Aveeno’s Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser (€10, Tesco) to wash away all final remnants.

Aveeno’s Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser (€10, Tesco)

Drink more water

“Staying hydrated helps flush out the excess sugar, salt, and alcohol accumulated over the holidays, restoring your skin’s natural glow from the inside out,” Shauna O Shea, spa manager at Sheen Falls Lodge advises. 

“Make it a goal to drink water throughout the day. If you find drinking your goal amount daily difficult, incorporate fruits to naturally flavour the water such as orange, strawberries, mint, or lemon and lime. You can also add herbal teas for a natural detox. Some herbal teas like dandelion, ginger, and green tea have powerful detoxifying properties that can aid digestion, reduce bloating, and tame inflammation, all great for after the festive season.”

Tend to the eye area

Rodial Dragons Blood Jelly Eye Masks (€9.95, lookfantastic.com)

“Overindulging in rich food, drinks and lack of sleep is seen most around the eye area and needs to be combated first,” says Maria Hatzistefanis, founder of Rodial and NIP+FAB. 

“Use hydrating eye masks as much as possible, like the Rodial Dragons Blood Jelly Eye Masks (€9.95, lookfantastic.com). They are infused with hyaluronic acid for extreme hydration and plumping, and dragon’s blood sap which repairs and restores irritation around the eyes. Leave them in the fridge for an added cooling effect.”

Don’t overdo it

“People feel the urge to detox everything post-Christmas and that can damage the skin barrier and pH balance by using too many active ingredients, causing premature ageing or breakouts,” Olga Duffy, a training manager who works with brands like Shiseido, NARS and Drunk, says. 

“Your skin has its own renewal system, so concentrate on a great, consistent skincare routine and let your skin detox naturally. If the urge to detox is still calling you — concentrate on deep cleaning make-up brushes, and sponges, clean out your make-up bag and replace face cloths and pillows instead. Keep skin strong and hydrated with a serum like Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (€74.75, Space NK) under your usual moisturiser for the ultimate boost of protection.”

Eat your skincare

Sweet potatoes, peppers, butter, eggs, organic meat, nuts, seeds, broccoli and cauliflower are all good sources of vitamins A, C and E –– each of which will come in handy when trying to fix erupted skin. 

Healthy oils in your diet play a particularly significant role in skin health. 

Get them in high concentrates in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines as well as organic grass-fed meat and chia and flax seeds.

Hydration above all else

MASQUE PIGM 400, Brightening + Radiance Booster Masque (€35, skinbyolga.ie)

“Indulge in peptides, AHA’s, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid!” Olga Kochlewska, founder of Skin by Olga, says. “It takes a full skin cycle to allow the cells to renew, but after using high quality products pumped with all the useful ingredients, you will see the glow immediately. MASQUE PIGM 400, Brightening + Radiance Booster Masque (€35, skinbyolga.ie) is by far the best sheet mask we have in stock. It makes the face glow after using and it truly makes the skin look brighter.”