Skin care for the holidays can be a challenge.
You want to look your best, but it’s a stressful time. Your skin may react with acne, dryness, dullness and red spots.
What can you do? We have some tips that will help!
Holiday stress can cause skin problems
First of all, a general warning: holiday stress can cause skin problems. Scientists were skeptical about this, but recent studies have shown that psychological stress can worsen skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. It can also lead to unexpected breakouts and redness.
So the first thing you can do to keep your complexion looking radiant is to practice some form of stress relief on a daily basis. Good options include a regular exercise routine, medication, yoga, journaling, pet therapy, long walks, deep breathing, and spending time with positive people.
Then, do your best to stay consistent with your regular skin care routine. Just as a healthy diet can boost your immune system and help you resist holiday sickness, healthy skin can withstand stress better than skin that has been neglected or has a compromised outer barrier.
That means using a gentle cleanser, hydrating toner (like our restorative Rescue + Relief Spray), and quality moisture (like our Calming Moisture) twice a day to keep your skin calm, clear, and strong.
5 last-minute skin care tips for the holidays
Even if you do your best to keep your skin healthy and reduce stress, it’s still possible that your skin will struggle during the holidays.
If you notice dryness, dullness, acne, redness and other problems, here are some tips to solve these problems quickly!
1. Drink more water.
This may seem like a silly suggestion, but think about it. You’re busy getting everything done for the holidays. Do you drink water? Even if you do, it’s very possible you’re not getting enough.
During the cold winter months, our natural thirst does not work as well as in the hot summer. You may not be thirsty, but your body still needs water. And your skin needs to stay hydrated from within.
Water also helps flush toxins through your system so you can remove them faster. This is great for your skin as it gives it better access to the healthy nutrients it needs.
The holidays are often full of high-fat and sugary treats that taste good, but aren’t good for your skin. If you drink water regularly, you can avoid temptation more easily than if you don’t. Water makes you feel full. It can also help curb cravings, so make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water a day and see if you notice a difference!
Holiday Skin Care Tip 2. Get 7-8 hours of sleep.
Doctors and scientists recommend that we all get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Your skin needs that sleep to carry out its nightly repairs. Without this it will naturally look older. You will notice more fine lines and wrinkles, and a radiant appearance? It will be long gone.
Do your best to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Keep technology out of the bedroom, avoid alcohol and caffeine at least four hours before bed, and have a pre-bed routine that involves turning off the lights and doing something relaxing.
3. Try a steam detox.
If your skin is struggling and you notice enlarged, clogged pores, try steaming your skin. The steam opens the pores and allows your skin care products to work more efficiently.
Simply boil some hot water, put it in a bowl, place a towel over your head and soak your skin in the steam for 1-2 minutes. Don’t go overboard, especially if you have sensitive skin, as too much steam can lead to redness.
Follow with a gentle cleansing and then spray on our Rescue + Relief Spray. It has a natural cooling effect and powerful anti-inflammatories that can keep acne and eczema at bay and help your skin regain its health and youthful appearance.
Holiday Care Tip 4. Exfoliate.
Before you go to your holiday party, use a gentle exfoliating product on your skin. It can help to remove the old dead skin cells so that the younger skin cells become visible. The right exfoliating treatment can give you an instant glow that lasts the rest of the day and night.
However, be careful what you use. Harsh crystal and nut scrubs can cause micro-cracks in the skin that lead to redness, irritation and breakouts. Instead, use an exfoliating product with gentle acids, or the mildest sugar scrub. Then use a slow, circular massage motion to exfoliate your skin. Don’t press too hard or pull.
Rinse clean and then apply your toner and moisturizer. Try our award-winning Calming Moisture as it helps tame any inflammation and reduce the signs of fine lines and wrinkles. It also gives you a lit-from-within look.
Don’t forget your lips while exfoliating. In the cold winter months they are often dry and cracked. Use a little of the same exfoliating product and then use a healing balm. We recommend our award-winning Restorative Skin Balm. It helps protect the moisture barrier so your lips can recover.
5. Apply a face mask.
If you have dry skin and it looks even drier during the holidays, it’s time to apply a moisturizing face mask. The right person can do in minutes what would otherwise take you days.
Look for one that contains healthy ingredients like natural oils, aloe vera, shea butter, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and extracts that not only deeply hydrate but also help your skin recover from stress. Let it sit on your skin for 10-20 minutes, then rinse and apply your moisturizer.
You can also use our Calming Moisture as a mask. Apply it generously all over your skin and then let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rubbing the rest in. (If there’s any extra left, rub it into your hands. They’ll be left smooth and radiant!)
Do not forget to smile!
Whatever you do to prepare for the holidays, try to choose something that makes you feel good, because your smile is the best beauty tool you have!
So fix your hair, try some new makeup, pamper your skin and dress up your nails to make you feel confident and beautiful. How you feel on the inside shows on the outside, so start with self-care and you’ll be much more likely to enjoy this season!
Happy Holidays! xo
Do you have any last-minute beauty tips for the holidays?
Featured image courtesy of Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.
