The holidays and your holiday skin care routine
We’re already in the midst of the holiday season, but the next couple of weeks will surely bring an increase in shopping, parties, gatherings, fun, cheer, food and drinks. And while this is often hailed as the “most wonderful time of the year” – and we’d have to agree, it’s great! – the holiday’s can also wreak havoc on your skin. Which is why it’s extra important to keep a holiday skin care routine.
I mean, let’s be honest, how many times have you already come home late from a get-together and crawled into bed without removing your makeup? But it’s more than just lack of cleansing that will do your skin in this time of year.
No one wants a dull complexion, dry or irritated skin, or to experience an outbreak just in time for Christmas or that big New Year’s Eve party you’re planning to attend. That’s why we’ve created a list of the top 5 ways the holidays can impact your complexion, and tips to counteract the effects.
Busy Schedules
Things are busy this time of year. I know you’re tired and rushing from one thing to the next, but try not to skimp on your skin care routine. You need to cleanse at the end of the day to remove makeup, oils, and everyday dirt and pollution that can clog pores. You also need to take the time to properly moisturize. But here’s the thing – you can do a proper cleanse and hydrate without a 10-step routine. Simply opt for multi-purpose products (like our skin gel!) to tone, nourish and hydrate all in one.
Too Many Treats
It happens year after year whether we intend to or not – in December we indulge and in January we cleanse. There are so many goodies this time of year, and you really shouldn’t have to avoid them all. However, you don’t need to go overboard either. Not only are they not helpful to your overall health, those extra cookies can accelerate the aging process of your skin. To put it simply, collagen and elastin are no longer able to do their jobs, which is to keep your skin firm and supple. Your skin also becomes more vulnerable to environmental stressors such as UV light and pollution. So our tip here is to scope out the dessert table before making your final selections and limit yourself to just a couple of treats.
Frequent Temperature Changes
Running to the grocery store, mall, mail box, the neighbours houses – you’re constantly going from inside to out, outside to in. And guess what? That’s impacting your skin. The abrupt change from the cold outside to the dry heat of the car or indoors shocks the skin, and can leave it dry and irritated. Try to remember to bundle up – gloves are a must for your hands, and a hat and scarf go a long way for your face. It’s also a good idea to run a humidifier at night to add moisture to the air in your home.
Lack of Sleep
When it comes to your holiday skin care routine, be sure to include plenty of rest. Beauty sleep is a real thing, and it’s called that because our bodies get to work producing body-repairing hormones, such as growth hormones, when we sleep which are necessary for tissue repair and cell regeneration. The experts agree we need at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep a night. And depriving yourself of this not only deprives your skin the chance to repair itself but also causes an elevation of cortisol, and that will put your body in a constant state of stress. Now, guess where the first physical signs of stress will appear? On your skin in the form of a dull complexion, dark circles, eye bags, inflammation and outbreaks.
If you’re struggling to get enough sleep, try reading before bed instead of being on a device or watching TV. Or enjoy a warm cup of chamomile tea, or spritz a scent of calming lavender around the room.
Increased Stress
As mentioned above, stress is not a friend to your skin. And while we can’t always avoid stress, there are plenty of ways to calm the body and mind. A walk out in nature is a biggie, the fresh air is calming and a bit of exercise always helps. But even a warm shower, quick meditation or writing in a gratitude journal can help ease stress and offer a positive outlet.
Your holiday skin care routine doesn’t have to be long or complicated. But you do need to cover the basics. Applying the above tips as much as possible will keep your skin looking great throughout the season.
Happy holidays everyone!!
