If You Have a Halloween Candy Hangover, Read This
Welcome to the day after Halloween, when a certain sweet-toothed segment of the population may arise with a hangover—a candy hangover, that is. While alcohol may have contributed to some of that headache, excess sugar is likely the real culprit, and may be currently wreaking havoc on skin. Here is the ultimate guide to detoxing, according to two top industry experts.
Wipe the slate clean with hot water and lemon.
“It’s important to start your day with hot water and lemon,” says Kimberly Snyder, C.N., whose clientele includes Hollywood’s top power players, like Reese Witherspoon and Drew Barrymore. “Lemon has an incredible cleansing effect,” she says, while other experts point to its alkalizing, toxin-flushing ability and its high vitamin C–derived antioxidant potential.
Choose a breakfast that’s good for your gut.
After a night of bad habits, “the gut develops an imbalance of bad bacteria, and the body can wake up craving even more sugar.” Snyder suggests taking a probiotic supplement to rebalance blood sugars, “give you energy, and reduce mood swings.” For the first meal of the day, she advises skipping a heavy breakfast in favor of something light and clean. “Pineapple is one of the most anti-inflammatory foods,” she explains. Blend it with a mix of vitamin-packed, fiber-rich greens, like spinach or romaine, and add apples for a boost of nutrients. For an alkalizing, antioxidant-rich meal, Snyder suggests blending up her own ginger and tumeric kitcheree recipe.
Put dairy, caffeine, and high-intensity exercise on hold.
Snyder advises clients to avoid all dairy products (they are hard to digest) and salt, since the latter can cause bloating and further sugar cravings. Pass on coffee too, she says, because “your liver is already overworked and caffeine and acidity levels will not help.” And while a vigorous, blood-pumping workout may feel good initially, it’s not the smartest move, according to Snyder. “Your body needs to relax.” Instead, opt for a light, refreshing walk outside that will be “beneficial to the recovery process.”
Tackle sugar-related breakouts and skin issues.
Skin, too, can see the effects of a heavy night of trick-or-treating. “Excess sugar can cause inflammation and even rosacea,” explains top New York City facialist Mzia Shiman, who is responsible for the flawless glow of the Victoria’s Secret Angels. First, the pro recommends drinking “a ton of water” to start the de-puffing process, and, if possible, have an at-home LED light mask at the ready. “The red lights can help calm skin and soothe redness,” she says. Next, pop a brightening, hydrating sheet mask into the fridge while pressing a household ice pack on and off the face. “Immediately after the 20-minute mask, slather on a light serum,” says Shiman, who suggests Decléor's Hydra Floral Moisturizer) for light yet effective coverage. And if you woke up to an unexpected blemish? “Don't touch it,” she warns. Apply a drying topical like Neutrogena’s benzoyl peroxide-packed formula, and avoid hot compresses, she urges, as the inflammation from that one pimple “can spread quickly” when coming into contact with the rest of the face.
Dry brush your way to a full-body detox.
For those with a little extra time on their hands, a quick dry brushing session will boost circulation, exfoliate dead skin, stimulate lymph nodes, and even improve digestion—especially when followed by a good steam that provides a restorative and purifying head-to-toe boost. Until the next sugar craving strikes, that is.
Originally Appeared on Vogue
