After days and nights bolting around green fields, it’s time for some R&R
Before a festival, there is much to discuss: what tent to buy, inflatable mattress or camp bed, which cool outfits won’t see you freeze to death after hours. You know, the important stuff.
Post-festival recovery takes a backseat, only contemplated on the return journey. Thoughts barely go beyond the takeaway order when you slump, exhausted, in your front door.
It’s inevitable that spending days outside, rushing from act to act and dancing until dawn will take its toll. Taking steps to rebalance is essential to get you back on an even keel.
You will likely be dehydrated, may have trouble sleeping and have intricate bruise networks splayed across limbs from one too many surprise encounters with guy ropes and tent pegs. Add to that limited annual leave, meaning you can’t rest at home for as long as you’d like, and solutions are needed - fast.
We consider ourselves festival veterans here at ES Best. We’ve been festivalling for more than a decade, so it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about conquering hangovers from hell. We’ve channelled that knowledge into this list, because post-festival recovery is just as important as pre-planning for the event too.
A shower as soon as you get in will be your first port of call (after you’ve put in your Deliveroo order, natch). Slather on a deep conditioning hair treatment because your dry shampoo-encrusted locks will need it), but leave off the body scrub to avoid aggravating grazes and bruises. A light moisturiser massage will rehydrate skin and help lymphatic drainage, moving toxins from your system.
Next up: internal hydration. Slurping water straight from the tap may feel tempting but you’re back in civilisation, so fill a glass and add a rehydration sachet to give H2O a boost with added electrolytes. Also note: ice lollies totally count as rehydrating, and will also soothe sore throats or mouth ulcers.
While you’re by the freezer, pull out the facial ice globes you stashed inside and work them over tired eyeballs and any swelling around bruises for cooling soothing. When you’ve finished, apply eye drops to keep moisture flowing.
Immune system-boosting vitamins and select beauty products will also help beyond these basic first steps. We’ve rounded up the best post-festival remedies below to keep on standby once you’re done having the time of your life on the fields.
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Hycosan Extra Preservative Free Eye Drops - 7.5ml
When your eyes are short of moisture, it’s time to reach for artificial tears. Hycosan makes a range of eye drops to get your peepers back to their sparkling best.
The Extra formulation contains 0.2 per cent hyaluronic acid which means it will cling to the ocular surface for longer meaning it is ideal for severe cases of dry eyes.
Apply regularly for best results and keep at room temperature, binning it after six months for hygiene safety. Contact lens compatible.
Buy now £11.89, Amazon
FRAÎCHEUR PARIS Ice Globes
Riffing off expensive in-spa cryotherapy treatments, these ice globes couldn’t be easier to introduce into your R&R regime. Place them in the freezer for 20 minutes (or longer) and enjoy spa-like soothing in your kitchen. The design is made from glass and filled with glittery anti-freeze liquid for added glamour.
When the freezer-fresh globes are rolled gently over the skin, the temperature shock will boost circulation, ease dark circles and sleep-deprived under-eye bags and soothe sunburned complexions.
Buy now £59.99, Cult Beauty
This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, 75ml
Infused with drops of lavender, camomile and vetivert, this cult sleep spray will soothe you into the land of nod. It may be called pillow spray, but we find it's most effective spritzed along the top of your duvet so you can breathe it in as you snooze.
Buy now £15.00, Amazon
Cannaray Muscle Rescue CBD Muscle Balm
For tired muscles that need calming and cooling, this CBD balm brings eucalyptus into play to create a refreshing, tingling sensation that jolts the knots out of tight muscles fast, while the cannabidiol works longer and deeper on reducing stress.
The balm can take a little work to soften (they recommend scooping a tiny amount out with a spoon) but feels silky smooth once heated up by the skin or your fingertips.
Shea butter gives a hydration boost that lasts long after you’ve massaged it in, while arnica helps with taking down inflammation in the joints and on the skin. Vegetarian-friendly, the pot and lid are fully recyclable, and you can even trace your balm from farm to shelf thanks to a smart batch code.
Buy now £30.00, QVC
Dioralyte
This essential powdered formula is ideal when travelling to exotic locations to counteract upset tummies as it is recommended to replace lost salt and minerals – and the same is true for hangovers.
Shamir Patel, pharmacist and founder of Chemist 4 U explains, “This can help you to feel better and have more energy, and this is especially effective if you have been sick or nauseous.” It is also confirmed by London’s leading nutritionist Lily Soutter who adds that the “electrolyte solution will help to rehydrate the body and replace lost fluids after drinking.”
Buy now £5.49, Superdrug
Bounce Back Post Social Recovery Drink
Available in raspberry or tropical flavours, Bounce Back is designed to do exactly what it says and have you feeling closer to normal after an evening of excess. The vegan-friendly drinks are low calorie at 93cals a pop and packed with a special cocktail of 17 vitamins, minerals and amino acids to leave you feeling refreshed and recovered. The lightly carbonated drink has been developed by biochemists and helps boost energy and liver function.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Nutrition Geeks Magnesium Glycinate 3-in-1 Complex
It's not sold as an official hangover cure, but magnesium is said to help many of the symptoms associated with hangovers: poor sleep, achy muscles, low energy and general fatigue. It also helps with mineral absorption, so perfect for pairing with rehydration tablets or drinks. The packet contains 90 vegan tablets; take one or two (depending on how hard you're hanging) with water or a cold drink when you get up.
Buy now £8.90, Amazon
Holland & Barrett Milk Thistle 100mg 30 Capsules
According to nutritionist Lily Soutter, “Studies have shown that the active components of milk thistle may help to ease liver inflammation and promote cell repair.” This explains why the herbal remedy is used to boost liver health and help it recover from toxins such as alcohol. Take one a day with your main meal.
Buy now £10.99, Holland & Barrett
Deep Relief Anti-Inflammatory Gel 100g
Highly rated amongst Boots customers, Deep Relief Anti-Inflammatory Gel employs both 5 per cent ibuprofen and 3 per cent levomenthol as its active ingredients. The former works to alleviate pain by reducing inflammation, while the latter provides a cooling effect for even deeper relief.
Buy now £8.40, Boots
Boots High Strength Vitamin B12
Not sure where to start with chronic fatigue? One of the best options to lean towards first is ensuring your B12 levels are correct. If you’re lacking, a high-strength supplement can do the work to bring you back to normal. Boots’ feature 250µg of vitamin B12 in each capsule, which works out as 10000 per cent of your Nutrient Reference Value. In short: above and beyond what your body requires, which leaves plenty of room even if you struggle with proper absorption.
Buy now £6.50, Boots
Myrkl
Instead of looking to soothe the thumping headache, dry mouth and a general feeling of foreboding after the party, this is a remedy to take before your sesh.
Take two pills containing patented ingredient AB001 and vitamin B12 from anywhere between 12 - 2 hours before your first drink and you’ll rise feeling refreshed the next day. We’ve taken Myrkl before a wedding reception and a birthday party and have found ourselves much more upbeat and alive the morning after. It works by rapidly breaking down alcohol in the gut, when taken as advised.
Myrkl is the result of three decades of research, but it’s still wise to take this with a pinch of salt: there is a limit to how well it will work and few remedies will absolve a night of endless drinks chased with tequila shots.
Want to road-test it first? Find a single-dose sachet at Superdrug.
Buy now £20.00, Amazon
