The holiday season is upon us! A time to break bread, share time with loved ones, revive old traditions, and rejoice in the little joys of the season.
Unfortunately, it also tends to be the time of breakouts, disrupted schedules, and overall less-than-stellar skin. But it doesn’t have to be! Here’s how to avoid those holiday skin problems for good.
Common Holiday Skin Sabotagers- and How to Address Them
Carbs and Sugar
The holidays can seem like an endless stream of yummy food - stuffing, turkey, cookies, pies, special festive beverages and holiday desserts to boot. On the one hand, you want to enjoy everything. It’s a huge part of the season, after all, and these special treats can bring back beautiful memories of childhood and family gatherings.
On the other hand, though, they can absolutely wreak havoc on your skin and your health.
Sleepless Nights
The holiday season usually involves road trips, catching flights, and setting early alarms for get-togethers or Black Friday shopping. It’s part of the buzz of the season, but these sleepless nights can start to show in the form of dark circles, bags under your eyes, and a dull complexion.
Over time, missing out on those much needed zzz’s can even speed up the signs of aging - yikes!
Make sure that you’re mindful of your sleeping habits and that they don’t get too out of whack. And if you do miss out on that much-needed beauty sleep, invest in some good skincare that will combat that inflammation, dullness, and darkness around your face.
Look, specifically, for products with rock start moisturizing and brightening ingredients like vitamin C, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. Why?
- Vitamin C: This powerful antioxidant will reduce signs of aging by repairing damaged skin, accelerating collagen synthesis, fighting acne, and correcting hyperpigmentation. That translates directly to clear, wrinkle-free, and healthy skin.
- Peptides: Peptides are proteins found naturally in skin that communicate with cells to trigger collagen production. This minimizes wrinkles and plumps skin, giving your complexion the perfect post-holiday boost.
- Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a protein found naturally in our skin. It absorbs easily and it's the ultimate moisturizer capable of binding 1,000 times its weight in water. This makes it one of the most effective ingredients at combating that cold weather and dehydration-induced dryness.
Looking for some great moisturizers to try? Cloud Whip can block free radicals, fade sun spots, and prevent discoloration while locking in moisture, while Daydreamer combines hyaluronic acid with organic shea butter and jojoba oil to lock in maximum moisture.
Neglecting SPF
When days become shorter, colder, and cloudier, most people tend to put their sunscreen to the back of the medicine cabinet. This is a huge mistake! Even when the days are cloudy and short, you’re going to be exposed to UV radiation and free radicals. This can cause cancer, premature aging, and other major skin issues - so make sure you don’t skip the SPF during the holiday months.
Stress
Yes, the holidays are fantastic and joyful on many levels - but they can also be majorly stressful. You have to deal with a bunch of expenses, family drama, pressure to attend holiday parties, and more - and it can start to show on your skin.
Specifically, stress causes increased release of cortisol, which can increase oil production and lead to breakouts, psoriasis flares, and other undesirable skin conditions. It can also weaken the skin’s natural barrier, leading to dehydrated skin and exacerbated lines and wrinkles.
The solution? First, remember that your perspective is majorly important. Take time to enjoy the season and keep in mind that a little bit of chaos and family craziness is all part of the fun. Next, invest in some self-care and de-stress in the ways that work best for you. That could be a bubble bath, a great workout, a hot cup of tea, or a night out with friends. The point is to do whatever makes you feel great.
Harsh Weather
Winter weather is always tough on the skin. Between cold and windy outside air and intense central heating, you’re bound to deal with dryness, dullness, and other complexion issues.
Wake your skin up with a revitalizing, gentle exfoliant to slough away dead, dull cells - and make sure to give it plenty of hydration with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants.
Looking for some products to tackle all of these holiday skin problems? Check out the holiday shop to find the best picks for your skin concerns.