A skincare expert has shared her top tips on how to effectively tackle post-festive skin breakouts for a clearer, healthier skin.
Parul Sharma GAU audience writer
08:00, 25 Dec 2025
The festive season is a time for merriment, lavish feasts, late-night parties and perhaps a bit too much indulgence — but for many, it’s also the time when their skin starts to act up. Spots, clogged pores and redness are common side effects of overindulging in rich foods, alcoholic beverages, lack of sleep and inconsistent skincare routines.
If you’re one of the many who’ve turned to Google in desperation, asking how to deal with skin breakouts — we have some good news. A skincare guru has revealed her top tips on how to fight those inevitable festive season breakouts, and all it requires are a few simple, easy-to-follow tweaks to your skincare routine.
Laura Porter, expert facialist and founder of FAB Skincare, says that post-Christmas skin woes are among the most common problems she sees in her treatment room every January. Laura advises: “Your skin is often the first place to show signs of internal stress. Overindulgence doesn’t mean you’ve ‘ruined’ your skin — it just needs a gentle reset rather than harsh treatments or over-cleansing, which can make things worse.”
Why festive excess causes breakouts
Alcoholic drinks, sugar and rich foods can cause inflammation and dehydration, while late nights and insufficient sleep disrupt the skin’s natural repair cycle. When these factors are combined with heavier makeup and less frequent cleansing, pores can quickly become blocked — leading to blemishes, dull skin and uneven texture, reports the Mirror.
Skincare expert’s handy post-festive advice
Don’t over-cleanse your skin
When a breakout pops up, many of us instinctively grab for harsh cleansers, scrubs or potent acids in an effort to “dry out” blemishes.
However, Laura advises the opposite: “Over-cleansing and harsh acids can compromise your skin barrier, leading to more inflammation, sensitivity and ongoing breakouts. Your skin needs support, not punishment. Cleanse thoroughly but gently, ideally twice a day, and avoid anything that leaves your skin feeling tight or squeaky.”
A healthy skin barrier helps regulate oil production and allows active ingredients to work more effectively.
Make overnight skin repair a priority
Night-time is when the skin naturally switches into repair mode: “This is the ideal time to support healing, collagen production and hydration. While you sleep, your skin is more receptive to active ingredients, so an overnight treatment can significantly reduce redness, improve texture and help prevent lingering dark spots after a breakout has healed.” Consistent overnight care can make a visible difference within just a few days, shares the expert.
Hydration is key – both inside and out
Dehydration is a common yet frequently missed trigger for breakouts: “When skin is dehydrated, it often overproduces oil to compensate, which can clog pores. Drinking plenty of water, reducing alcohol where possible and using products that hydrate at multiple layers of the skin will help restore balance and improve clarity.”
Well-hydrated skin is also better equipped to heal and protect itself against further congestion.
Treat spots with precision, not panic
Instead of slathering multiple products across the entire face, Laura recommends a focused approach: “Spot treatments, such as the FAB Skincare No.6 Overnight Spot Treatment, are far more effective when used correctly. Apply directly to the blemish before bed and allow it to work overnight, rather than spreading strong ingredients across healthy skin.”
This technique helps clear congestion whilst minimising the risk of dryness, redness and post-inflammatory marks.
Be patient and maintain consistency
When skin plays up, it’s tempting to change everything at once —but this can prove counterproductive and backfire, explains the skin specialist. Laura warns: “Quick fixes rarely work. Consistency beats intensity every time. Stick to a simple, supportive routine and give your skin time to recover. Constantly switching products or overloading your skin will only slow the healing process. Avoid switching products too frequently.”
As we usher in the new year, Laura’s advice is straightforward: steer clear of drastic treatments and extreme measures, and focus on aiding your skin’s natural healing process.
“Your skin is incredibly resilient when you treat it with care. A calm, targeted approach will always deliver better results than trying to undo festive indulgence overnight.”
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