With Glastonbury just around the corner and festival season in full swing, many of us will be looking forward to attending some of the country’s best music events over the Summer.
Festivals can be particularly boozy events, with late nights, excessive drinking, and unhealthy foods all a part of the fun, but they can leave your skin looking dull, dehydrated and lacklustre.
With this in mind, Managing Director of the Harley Street Skin Clinic, Sophie Cooper, has offered up her top tips for taking care of your skin both during and after a festival has ended.
Sophie Cooper’s top tips on how to take care of your skin while at a festival:
Top Up Your SPF: “We all enjoy being outside at a festival but regardless of whether it’s sunny or cloudy, SPF is an absolute must. I would recommend a broad spectrum SPF of at least factor 30 and top this up every two hours or so, especially if you’re sweating and wiping your face.
Opt for Micellar Water: “Festival situations don’t really allow us the luxury of bringing our full skin care routine, so you have to be smart with what you pack. In this situation, I would opt for Micellar Water and cotton pads. They’re easy to throw into your bag and are great for cleansing your skin, removing makeup, dirt and sweat while helping prevent breakouts. While it may be tempting to choose make up wipes, in fact, they actually just move the dirt around your face, whereas Micellar Water helps lift those impurities away. Making it a more skin-friendly option.
Keep Your Make Up Minimal: “It’s definitely tempting to go all out for a festival with your make up as it’s all about the fun, but your skin might not thank you for it. Heavy foundation and thick make up when mixed with sweat can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Instead, I’d recommend tinted moisturiser that features SPF with some light, mineral make up. The latter features built in SPF that will help your skin stay protected throughout the day.
Regular Hydration: “Hydration is so important at festivals but can be something people forget about if they’re stood among large crowds and refreshments are a lengthy walk away. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and carry a light, hydrating mist to keep your skin cool and refreshed. This will help your skin’s overall elasticity, as it can easily become dry and dull due to the long hours spent outside.
Don’t Touch Your Face: “You might be reading this and thinking “huh?” but this is a simple yet important tip. Your hands are likely to come into contact with mud, grease, grime and sweat and in general, hand washing is less frequent at festivals. Touching your face transfers these germs onto your skin and can cause breakouts. To combat this, I’d recommend carrying a small hand sanitizer with you and reapplying every few hours.
Five ways to detox your skin once you’re home from a festival:
Rehydrate From Within: “Excessive periods of drinking at a festival leads to our bodies becoming dehydrated, which makes our skin look dull and dry in appearance. To help restore hydration, I recommend drinking at least two litres of water per day. Adding electrolytes can assist with the rehydration as well. Alongside this, any teas with antioxidant properties can help with detoxification.
Get Your Beauty Sleep: “Sleep can be non-existent at festivals which is why it’s so important to catch up once you get home. Getting yourself back into a quality sleep routine is key to your skin restoring itself after a hectic period of socialising and drinking. Investing in a good overnight cream is key to recovering any lost hydration as well.
Boost Your Skincare Routine: “While your skin is in recovery mode, there are certain vitamins that can help with any damage caused by late nights and alcohol. I recommend using products rich with antioxidants and using serums containing either vitamin C or E. As for exfoliation, switch to something that’s gentle on your skin in order to remove dead cells which in return will allow for better product absorption.
Lymphatic Drainage: “Lymphatic drainage is something we’re discussing more in recent times and for good reason. A good facial massage tool or a gua sha can reduce facial puffiness, improve circulation, reduce toxins and ease inflammation, making it an essential part of detoxing your skin after a few days of fun at a festival.
Eat Your Way To Healthy Skin: “Now is the time to combat the effects a poor diet has had on your skin by switching to foods that your skin will love and help aid its restoration. I recommend anything with omega-3, zinc or vitamin A, such as avocado, fatty fishes and whole grains, alongside fruits and vegetables with high water content such as cucumbers and watermelon, which will aid detoxification and hydration.”
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