Skin Remedies After a Late Night

With three young children, I don't always manage to get the sleep my body needs. I might be up with the baby, dealing with my older daughter's night terrors, or simply catching up on last season's "Downton Abbey." It could be a dinner with my husband or a night out with the girls. It doesn't really matter what has kept me up past my bedtime. All that matters is the next day, I don't want everyone else to look at my face and know I was up way too late.

Remove your makeup.

You're up late. You're ready for bed. You don't want to waste your time on your night time skin care regimen or even take the time to take your makeup off. Big mistake. Your skin can't recover with caked on makeup. Take the time to remove your makeup after a late night.

Drink up.

Hydration is always important after a late night. It can help rehydrate your skin and prepare you for the day ahead. It may also help eliminate puffiness around the eyes. So grab a full water bottle and make sure to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces in order to help you rehydrate after a long night. Better yet? Stay hydrated while you're out at night, too. This way, you won't have to worry about dehydration.

Own a quality night cream.

Like water, a good night cream can help your skin stay hydrated and refreshed after a late night. Consider one like Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Night Cream, specifically aimed at helping your skin ward off the effects of a night out. Your skin will glow. As an added bonus, it's 97% naturally derived, so you'll know exactly what you're putting on your skin.

Keep a cucumber handy.

My eyes are a dead giveaway when I'm tired. They're puffy and red. It might seem like part of an old movie or some old wives' tale, but there's truth to the idea that cucumber slices on the eyes can help reduce puffiness and minimize the visual effects of a late night on the skin. Thinly slice cucumber and cover your eyes for 5-10 minutes before you head out the door. You'll notice a difference and feel refreshed.

Don't overdo the makeup.

If you look tired, you may be tempted to layer on your makeup in hopes of concealing your lack of sleep. Don't be fooled. More makeup may actually have the opposite of your intended effect, causing you to look washed out. Instead of heavy makeup, stick with a light bronzer or foundation and some color on your cheeks.

Don't let everyone look at your skin and know you had a great night out last night. These five simple steps can help reduce the effects of a late night on your skin. Everyone will think you got a full eight hours of sleep (I wish!).

Content by Kelly Herdrich.