These last-minute hacks will help you ace the festive glow

The late nights and sugary treats that are typical of this time of the year can take a toll on your skin. Here’s how you can look your radiant best

Now that the festival of lights is just around the corner, making sure your skin is at its glowing best is almost as important as picking out the right outfit. However, the season’s excesses — whether in terms of a chaotic schedule or sugary, fatty foods — can leave you feeling sluggish and your skin looking tired and dull. Fortunately, there’s still enough time to include last-minute rituals that can kick up your skincare game by a few notches, say experts.

The basics

“Reduce (or completely eliminate) refined carbohydrates, sweets and sodium during the days leading up to Diwali to avoid bloating,” says Dr Niketa Sonavane, a celebrity dermatologist and founder of Ambrosia Aesthetics. She also recommends drinking enough water as dehydrated skin can look dull. Further, green tea can help to speed up your metabolism and keep you energetic. It’s also important to prioritise sleep the night before a major event. Eat no later than 8 pm, not just to improve your digestion but to also ensure better sleep quality. Make sure to get at least eight hours of sleep, she adds. 

Make sure to drink enough water to prevent dryness

Skin tips

Green tea can help to reduce the appearance of puffy eyes and dark circles. “Prepare two tea bags, chill them, and place one on each eye. The caffeine present in tea lowers oedema and helps blood vessel constriction,” Dr Sonavane points out. Make sure to exfoliate and condition your lips for a softer, smoother pout. Avoid wearing lip gloss for a few days before the party to avoid drying out your lips. Instead, use a tinted moisturiser, she suggests. For those errant spots, use a powerful drying lotion containing salicylic acid or bentonite clay. “Don’t skip your beauty routine in the days leading up to the party; this includes cleaning your face properly, moisturising, and protecting your skin from the sun. Exfoliate your body thoroughly a few days before the event to prevent ingrown hairs and dry patches. Your shower should be warm, not hot, to avoid dryness. Generously moisturise your skin afterwards,” she adds.

Dr Niketa Sonavane and Dr Rinky Kapoor

Masking matters

“Steaming your face for a minute can help open up the pores and release toxins. Do not exceed this timeframe even if it feels soothing,” recommends Dr Rinky Kapoor, a cosmetic dermatologist and dermato-surgeon at The Esthetic Clinics. She also supports the use of masks to improve your skin’s texture. “Choose a mask that works with your skin type — if you have oily skin, opt for a clay mask to get rid of the excess oil. Choose a fuller’s earth mask, if you have acne. For dry and normal skin, you can apply a hydrating sheet mask to infuse moisture. It’s also easy to whip up an antioxidant-rich mask at home, using fresh fruit. Use bananas, apples, papayas, avocados and oranges together in a face pack,” she says.

The finer details

Applying an overnight hair mask two days before the event can help revive your locks. Schedule a manicure and a pedicure a couple of days before the event. For your feet, use a foot cream that contains urea to keep dryness and flakiness at bay, Dr Sonavane suggests. 

Extra help

A dermatologist consultation a week before a major party can even out your skin and create a beautiful base for your makeup, says Dr Sonavane. Your dermatologist could recommend a medi-facial or a light chemical peel. Dr Kapoor says that a microdermabrasion skin-polishing session, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes, can produce great results. “Party peels have no downtime — the skin looks better immediately, and the results last for a couple of days. Similarly, carbon peels coupled with laser skin brightening treatments can help,” she concludes.

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