Ever been to an all-nighter? Then you'd be familiar with that hang-over the next day and the dry feeling on skin. And how about all that party weight from festive indulgences?

But here's a shocker. All that we associate with a great party - from wine and bubblies to rich foods, as well as a lack of sleep from consecutive late nights of partying actually ages your skin.

So before you light up one more cigarette, or order another glass of wine for the road or head for a roti prata supper, we give you the low down on how to have fun without ageing your skin.

Consequences of heavy partying

The lack of sleep from heavy partying results in the appearance of superficial symptoms such as dark eye circles and breakouts. While we sleep, skin undergoes a cell regeneration process where old cells are replaced with new ones. The lack of sufficient sleep then, impedes the efficiency of this process, leaving behind dark eye circles and puffy eye bags. With inadequate rest, skin also becomes dull and sallow.

Besides insufficient rest, skin's condition is also affected by the continuous abuse of alcohol and cigarettes overtime, which will ultimately lead to detrimental consequences, such as, the deterioration of skin tone, texture and evenness. As you drink, the alcohol dilates the blood vessels in your skin, causing skin to gradually lose its healthy skin tone. Alcohol also deprives skin of Vitamin A, a powerful anti-oxidant that is central to maintaining skin's health and radiance. In addition, smoking accentuates premature skin ageing with the onset of early wrinkles and sagging skin.

In fact, research has shown that hectic nights out is one of the core stressors to skin. In a study conducted on the effects of smoking on skin by the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers found that an individual who smokes 10 or more cigarettes a day for a minimum of 10 years is statistically more likely to develop deeply wrinkled, leathery skin than a nonsmoker. Metabolic changes resulting from a significant sleep debt also mimics many of the hallmarks of ageing.

Don't let your party power affect your skin power

Scientists at SK-II have discovered that skin ageing is intensified by a lack of Skin Power, or what is known as the skin's natural ability to withstand stress and maintain its texture, radiance and firmness. While skin power gradually wanes and then precipitously drops as you age, external aggressors such as cigarettes and alcohol also reinforce the loss of skin power.

As a result of constant exposure to these aggressors, skin's internal layer is changed; overtime, the different skin layers start to collapse and buckle, causing a variety of ageing signs to become more obvious.

Party tips for younger looking skin

Just a few late nights can take their toll on your health and skin. We're not saying don't do it, just be smart about it! Here are five tips which should see you through the festive season.

Drink plenty of water - before, during and after partying. Before going to a party or event, drink a cup of green tea. It will help reduce your appetite. Always order a cup of water when ordering an alcohol beverage, the water will help rehydrate your system and skin - the rule of thumb is one glass of water for every glass of alcohol. Before going to bed…..you guessed it. Drink a glass of water.

Eat before you meet - Eat a healthy meal before going out. It will prevent you from eating junk and will help with those hangovers!

Don't fall for the peer pressure - if your friends have a tendency to goad you on to drink against your will, here is a simple trick. Sip fizzy water with lemon - people will think it's a spirit with a mixer vodka and leave you alone.

Get ready for sleep - let's face it, sticking to your normal cleansing routines once you've dragged yourself home is going to be tough. Plan ahead by keeping the basics by your bed - a good cleanser and a hydrating moisturizer to beat the dehydration caused by alcohol. For example, the SK-II Skin Signature 3D Redefining Mask gives tired skin an instant dose of moisture and intense nourishment.

Choose the right skincare - extensive research done by Procter and Gamble scientists have uncovered that the Skin Signature Series allows women to look up to 4 years younger in just one month.

The Skin Signature Series

The secret behind the skin signature series is a powerful ingredient complex, containing Oli-Vityl, a new ingredient critical to the production of anti-oxidants in the skin to combat ageing stress. Oli-Vityl works together with Pitera® and Signaline™ to boost skin's rebirth power by promoting the production of structural materials in the skin such as collagen, hyaluronan, involucrin and fibronectin.

From eye bags and dark eye circles to dehydrated and dull skin, each product in the Skin Signature Series addresses specific concerns of party-tired skin.