Almost everyone has armed themselves with blue Powerade or heavy foundation to mitigate the evidence of a boozy night out - but a top facialist has revealed that despite our best efforts, any skin-savvy boss will see that hangover written all over your face.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, skin expert Katie White has divulged the tell-tale signs of "wine face" - facial indicators of booze binging which all the concealer in the world can't hide.
"[Alcohol] is so often a key offender in skin not looking as glowy and perky as it could," White told the outlet.
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"When we're dehydrated, our skin lacks hydration which can lead to dullness, dryness and loss of plumpness."
White says that as a diuretic, alcohol leads to a lack of hydration in the body's connective tissues, such as collagen. Collagen is a structural protein responsible for keeping the skin plump and youthful.
"Connective tissue, such as collagen, is one of the first things to stop receiving hydration, which can lead to the formation of wrinkles," says White.
Contributing to those fine lines is a lack of sleep - also exacerbated by booze.
"Alcohol is effective at disrupting sleep patterns. It suppresses the body's production of melatonin, an essential for good quality sleep... when we sleep our skin rebuilds collagen, reducing wrinkles. Poor sleep means less opportunity to repair," she told the outlet.
A lack of sleep after an alcohol-fuelled evening can also lead to extra baggage - emotionally, for one, but also under the eyes. Puffy eyes and dark circles are other obvious indicators of "wine face".
Just like any mum would recommend, White says to intersperse alcoholic drinks with glasses of water to help maintain the body's hydration.
Those who are accustomed to a dull, swallow complexion after one too many bevvies should also know that sugary drinks are the primary culprit.
Advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs) are produced through glycation, caused by sugar molecules attaching to the skin's collagen and elastin proteins. It might sound cool, but AGEs are responsible for dull, pasty skin.
White recommends replacing the usual post-party duo of Panadol and Powerade with bitter foods to help support the liver, particularly during social periods.
"Bitter foods such as chicory, rocket, watercress and endive are great, as are nettle, dandelion and burdock teas," she told the outlet.
So to avoid the dreaded "wine face", ditch the cakey makeup and caffeine and opt for an arsenal of water, teas and salads filled with rocket and watercress.
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