JUST when your skin gets zapped by the onset of winter weather, it faces another cruel hit with the arrival of the party season.

All that drinking, dancing and pillow deprivation is a wicked concoction guaranteed to ensure you look one fine mess when the alarm clock calls.

That’s all well and good when it’s the weekend and you can hide under the duvet, but during the week that sallow, green-tinged skin needs to be brought back to life – and sharpish.

The good news is that you can fake a fresh glow so your boss doesn’t clock on to your party animal ways. Invest in some hangover heroics and have a ball minus the morning-after beauty scares.

PRE-BASH BEAUTY If the invitations are mounting on the mantelpiece, take action now to avoid the inevitable partied-out complexion. Prevention is better than cure, so if you’re prone to spot outbreaks and lacklustre skin once the party season ramps up, start nourishing your face from the inside out now.

Jo Givens, treatments expert at Liz Earle, said: “To avoid seasonal breakouts, Omega-3 is essential for making the body less inflammatory. As well as eating oily fish, consider a supplement of fish oils. You can also take a probiotic supplement to help normalise the balance of gut bacteria, as two thirds of the body's immune receptor cells are found there.”

Kick off the party season with a rosy glow to rival Santa Claus by giving your skin a generous head start. Consult a skin specialist clinic, like sk:n or Destination Skin, and boost your complexion with a course of treatments like micro-dermabrasion or glycolic peels.

CELEBRATION NIGHT SURVIVAL There’s no need to be a party pooper, but before you crawl into bed and wake up with a false eyelash stuck to your cheek, give your skin a fighting chance.

If you’re stumbling in from the dance floor, a rigorous skincare regime is going to be the last thing on your agenda – so prepare a speed cleanse kit for your return.

It’s not ideal to use wipes on a daily basis but they’re convenient after a night on the tiles to wipe away make-up and grime swiftly. You can even use them while tucked up in bed.

You may be dehydrated from the Christmas cocktails but your skin will be thirsty. Liz Pugh, professional make-up artist at Avon, said: “Thanks to alcohol, dehydrated skin is the biggest concern during the party season. Ensure you slather on a generous layer of moisturiser before you hit the pillow.”

POST-PARTY SOS Complexions need a radiance boost from the moment you wake from your hung-over slumber.

Dr Ariel Haus, Harley Street dermatologist, said: “Other than make-up, a tip for brightening up morning-after skin is to simply massage the face using your fingers.

“Apply your moisturiser in firm circular motions to bring the blood to the surface, leaving you with a rosy glow. Exfoliating is also great as it rids skin of dead skin cells and removes excess grease – a common symptom of excess.”

Eyes are the window to both your soul and lifestyle, so dark circles, puffiness and exaggerated fine lines will give the game away.

A teaspoon left in the fridge overnight or cold wet camomile tea bags are great quick-fix tricks for de-puffing those tell-tale party eye bags. Cooling eye roll-ons are also an instant pick-me-up and they’re light enough to carry around in your handbag for regular top-ups.