There are lots of things to love about the holidays… food, friends, family, and parties, to name a few! In all of that excitement, we sometimes forget to take care of our skin. But during the holidays, most of us want our skin to look its best for all of those holiday get-togethers. So, what can you do to ensure that your skin stays glowing throughout the stressful holiday season? Here are 10 of our best skin strategies to keep you (and your skin) on the right track.
1. Limit alcohol consumption
Unfortunately, alcohol is the enemy when it comes to glowing skin. Consuming too much alcohol will have just the opposite effect. After only two drinks, your cheeks and nose become red and flushed. Consuming excess alcohol is a leading cause of rosacea, breakouts, and puffy eyes. Limiting yourself to one drink can help reduce the effects.
2. Get Plenty of Sleep
It’s true that your body heals when you sleep, and your skin is no exception! Getting extra sleep when you’re stressed and busy is crucial for glowing, healthy skin.
3. Amp Up Your Pre-Party Glow
When your skin is looking a little dull from too many late nights, you might need to take some extra steps to get your skin glowing before you head out to that next party. Start by using a gentle, glycolic peel mask to expose the fresh, youthful skin that’s hiding just under the surface. Then, before you apply your makeup, prime your skin by hydrating it with a good moisturizer to plump it up and give it that dewy look we all love.
4. Always Remove Your Makeup
No matter how packed your schedule is, make sure you remove your makeup every night before you hit the bed. Sleeping with your makeup on can lead to clogged skin and breakouts.
5. Give Your Skin Some Extra Love
Consider using a sleep mask at night to give your skin a little extra pampering. Sleep masks are often infused with moisturizing ingredients to plump up your skin while you sleep.
6. Drink Plenty of Water
Help your body detoxify and recover from those late nights by drinking lots of water throughout the day. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon to amp up the detoxifying effects.
7. Skip the High Sodium Party Food
Excess sodium is going to make your skin look puffy and tired. Avoid the chips and seek out the veggie tray instead. Make sure you’re eating extra clean during the day, too. Think lots of fruits and veggies!
8. Don’t Try to Do It All
You don’t have to attend every holiday event. Hit the important ones and give yourself (and your skin) some recovery time on the off nights.
9. Invest in a Good Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes is usually the first area to show signs of overdoing it. Invest in a good eye cream and keep it in the fridge to amp up the de-puffing effects.
10. Don’t Skip the Sun Screen
You may think you can skip this step in the winter, but the truth is, the sun’s rays are always active. Be sure to use sunscreen during the day to protect your skin from wrinkles, sunspots, and other signs of premature aging.
There’s no question that the holiday season can be stressful but a little extra pampering can help your skin keep its glow during this busy time.
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About the Author
Olivia Hsu Friedman, LAc, Dipl.OM, DACM, Cert. TCMDerm, is the owner of Amethyst Holistic Skin Solutions and treats Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, and TSW. Olivia treats patients via video conferencing using only herbal medicine. Olivia is Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Acupuncturists, serves on the Advisory Board of LearnSkin, and is a faculty member of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Group sponsored by the National Eczema Association.