Sleigh Your Skincare…
With the holiday season finally here and the winter weather just around the corner, you can probably expect to experience some skin changes. Whether it’s stress-induced or environmentally induced changes, the state of your skin is especially sensitive this time of year. That’s why it’s essential to evaluate your current products and routine to make the right adjustments for a healthier, happier, holiday season.
Luckily, you don’t have to take on this journey alone. Sleighing your skincare can be done effortlessly. Just follow these five beauty rituals!
#1 Keep Your Skin Hydrated
For most of us, the holiday season is normally accompanied by lower levels of humidity and colder temperatures— both of which can affect the skin. Because of these changes in environmental conditions, a majority of us may notice differences in our complexion, namely, dry, itchy, and irritated skin. For this reason, it’s necessary to start priming your skin for the wintertime using restorative skincare products to keep your skin hydrated all season long.
Aside from using a thicker-formulated facial cream, one of the best ways to ensure your moisture barrier stays in-tact throughout the holiday season is to switch to a hydrating skincare cleanser. In the summer months— and even fall months for that matter— you may be able to get away with using an exfoliating cleanser or another harsh type of wash. And while these face washes are beneficial for someone struggling with oily skin or another aggressive skin condition, continuing to do so as you transition into winter can wreak havoc on your skin. Focus on using a cleanser that’s designed to support your skin’s moisture barrier and pH levels. If your skin feels tight after cleansing your face, chances are, it’s too abrasive for your skin type.
#2 Combat Stressed-Skin Using Acne Treatment
Between the sugary sweets, the extra holiday spending, and the incoming weather conditions, it’s common for stress-levels to skyrocket during this time, causing a natural reaction from your body. An increase in sebum production, for example, is one of the many ways your body responds to stress, causing you to produce more oil than usual. The excess oil may help to explain why acne tends to appear more frequently throughout the holidays as more sebum-producing cells make it easier for your pores to clog and acne to form.
For this reason, incorporating acne products in your daily skincare regimen may be a good idea. Specifically for those of you who typically experience high-stress during the holidays or generally resonate with oily or acne-prone skin, it’s important for you to practice good skincare habits now before the season truly kicks off. Staying consistent with your daily regimen and combating stressed-skin by using an acne treatment, will not only help you maintain a clear complexion but will also help you to de-stress. What more could you even ask for?
#3 Take Advantage of the Anti-Aging Benefits of Holiday Foods
Contrary to popular belief, not all holiday foods are bad for your health. Sure, some high-calorie foods and sugary drinks can do more harm than good on your body and skin. But, did you know that some of our most beloved holiday treats actually pack an anti-aging punch to it? That’s right— from Thanksgiving feasts to delicious Christmas treats— the holiday meals we all know and love just got that much better!
Take sweet potatoes, for instance. Love them or hate them, consuming this holiday food can serve as an anti-aging beauty ritual for the holiday season. Although sweet potatoes are oftentimes mixed with other not-so-beneficial ingredients such as butter, sugar, and marshmallows— this food alone is rich in copper, as well as vitamins A and C. Copper works to improve skin elasticity and firmness by speeding up collagen production. Vitamin A, on the other hand, encourages cell turnover while vitamin C works to neutralize free radicals caused by oxidative stress that contribute to developmental signs of premature aging. Needless to say, sweet potatoes and other holiday foods aren’t only useful for filling up your belly, they’re also excellent for keeping your skin youthful and bright.
#4 Add a Pop of Color
Unless you live in a warm weathered area, have highly melanated skin, or regularly hit the tanning booth throughout the wintertime, it’s likely that you can describe your skin as pale and pasty throughout the holiday season. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with these characteristics, you may not feel as confident in your appearance when your skin looks ghostly. Fortunately, there are other ways to enhance your beauty that don’t require you to expose your skin to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Embellishing your features with a pop of color, for instance, is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and gain back your confidence! Whether that means applying a vibrant colored blush to the apples of your cheek or sporting a classic bold red lip to celebrate holiday festivities, there are many different approaches to this technique. Regardless of whichever method you choose, adding a pop of color to your everyday look will serve to brighten and intensify your gorgeous glow, allowing you to look fresh and remain fierce all season long.
#5 Massage Your Skin
When you think of stress management techniques, what is one of the first things you think of? If you’re like most people, a massage is right up there on the list of stress-relieving techniques. Massages allow you to relax your body while treating targeted areas of your muscles and skin, making it a luxurious stress management activity for your mind, body, and of course, beauty.
You don’t have to pay for a full body massage to reap the benefits that come from this activity. Using a facial sculpting tool such as a jade roller or taking a more standardized approach using only your hands, try massaging your skin. Performing this beauty ritual not only feels good, but it can also make you look good, according to research. Particularly, massaging your skin regularly can stimulate blood flow, assist with lymphatic drainage (reducing puffiness), and provide your face muscles with more oxygen for recovery. That being said, try to get into the habit of massaging your skin once or twice a day for at least ten minutes and watch as this beauty ritual helps you sleigh your skincare throughout the holiday season.
Happy Holidays!