While enjoyable in the moment, festive-season excesses, late nights and over-indulgence can dramatically impact the skin. Here, MELANIE GRANT, who delivers party-proof complexions for Victoria Beckham, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Cate Blanchett, tells MALENA HARBERS how to create and maintain an enduringly luminous complexion throughout a full social calendar
Maintain a routine
“We’re all tempted by later bedtimes, richer party foods and an extra glass of wine or two during the festive season, but rather than feel guilty, my advice would be to embrace it and enjoy yourself,” says skin expert Melanie Grant. To minimize the after-effects – which can show up as dullness, dehydration, fine lines and wrinkles caused by a breakdown of collagen and elastin – she advocates following a strategic and consistent skincare routine, to keep skin balanced and functioning at its best. “During the day, focus on prevention, starting with a gentle cleanser, followed by an antioxidant serum and an SPF. In the evenings, a corrective regime is key. Begin with a double-cleanse, then apply an exfoliating or hydrating lotion, followed by a targeted treatment such as a retinol, and finish with a nourishing cream to lock in actives and support your skin’s own repairing processes while you sleep.”
