Holiday skin care can be tricky.
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 to help!
Holiday stress can cause skin problems
First, a general warning: holiday stress can cause skin problems. Scientists have been 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 skin glowing is to practice some sort of daily stress relief. Good options include regular exercise, medication, yoga, journaling, pet therapy, long walks, deep breathing, and time with positive people.
Then, do your best to stay consistent with your regular skincare routine. Just as a healthy diet can boost your immune system and help you fend off holiday sickness, healthy skin can withstand stress better than skin that has been neglected or has a compromised outer barrier.
That means twice a day, make sure you use a gentle cleanser, hydrating toner (like our Repairing Rescue + Relief Spray) and quality moisture (like our Calming Moisture) to help your skin stay calm, clear and strong .
5 Last Minute Grooming Tips for the Holidays
Even if you do your best to keep your skin healthy and relieve stress, it’s still possible for your skin to struggle during the holiday season.
If you’re experiencing dryness, dullness, acne, redness, and other issues, here are some tips to fix those issues fast!
1. Drink more water.
This may seem like a silly proposition, but think about it. You’re running around doing everything for the holidays. do you drink water Even if you are, chances are you can’t get enough.
During the cold winter months, our natural thirst doesn’t work as well as it does in the hot summer. You may not feel thirsty, but your body still needs water. And your skin needs it to stay hydrated from the inside out.
Water also helps flush toxins out of your system so you can get rid of them faster. This is great for your skin as it can then better access the healthy nutrients it needs.
The holidays are often filled with high-fat, high-sugar treats that taste good, but aren’t good for your skin. If you drink water regularly, you will be able to avoid temptation more easily than if you don’t. Water helps you feel full. It can also help tame any cravings you may have, 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 sleep 7-8 hours a night. Your skin needs this sleep to carry out its nightly repairs. Without it, of course it will start to look bigger. Will you notice more fine lines and wrinkles and shine? He 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 bedtime routine that includes dimming 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 will open up the pores and help your skin care products work more effectively.
Simply boil some hot water, put it in a bowl, then place a towel over your head and let your skin soak in the steam for 1-2 minutes. Don’t overdo it, especially if you have sensitive skin, as too much steam can lead to redness.
Follow with a gentle cleanse and then spray Rescue + Relief Spray. It has a natural cooling effect as well as powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can keep acne and eczema at bay helping your skin regain its health and youthful glow.
Holiday Skincare Tip 4. Exfoliate.
Before you head out to your holiday party, use a gentle exfoliator on your skin. It can help remove old dead skin cells, allowing newer ones to emerge. The right exfoliation treatment can give you an instant glow that will last the rest of the day and night.
Be careful what you use though. Rubbing with hard crystals and nuts can cause micro-tears in your skin that lead to redness, irritation and breakouts. Instead, use an exfoliator with mild acids or the mildest of sugar scrubs. Then use a slow, circular massage to scrub your skin. Do not push or pull too much.
Rinse off and apply your toner and moisturizer. Try our award-winning Calming Moisture as it will help tame any inflammation while reducing the signs of fine lines and wrinkles. It will also leave you with a lit-from-within glow.
Don’t forget your lips when exfoliating. They are often dry and cracked in the cold winter months. Use a little of the same exfoliating product on them and follow with a healing balm. We recommend our award-winning Restorative Skin Balm. It will help protect the moisture barrier so your lips can recover.
5. Apply face mask.
If you have dry skin and it looks even drier during the holidays, it’s time to apply a hydrating face mask. The right one can do in minutes what would otherwise take you days to achieve.
Look for one that contains healthy ingredients like natural oils, aloe vera, shea butter, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and extracts that will not only deeply hydrate, but 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 Calming Moisture as a mask. Just spread it generously all over your skin, then let it sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing the rest off. (If there is still some left, rub it into your hands. It will leave them smooth and shiny!)
Do not forget to smile!
Whatever you do to prepare for this holiday season, try to choose something that makes you feel good, because your smile is your best beauty asset!
So fix your hair, try new makeup, pamper your skin and dress up your nails to feel confident and beautiful. How you feel on the inside shows on the outside, so start taking care of yourself and you’ll be much more likely to enjoy yourself this season!
Happy Holidays! xo
Do you have any last minute beauty tips for the holiday season?
Featured image courtesy of Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.