Twas the season for cocktail parties, holiday soirees, and family gatherings. Now, instead of decking the halls, we’re on Zoom calls! Late nights, hectic schedules, and sweet treats can still easily wreak havoc on your skin this year and we already know holiday pictures will be plastered all over social media with friends and family constantly on their smart phones. Of course, many of us try to ensure our complexion is at its very best during December, so our providers at Affiliated Dermatology are sharing common problems and solutions to keep you looking and feeling good. Here’s how to keep your skin in shape during this holiday season.
Lack Of Sleep
Sleep equals health, and health equals beauty. If we neglect our need for beauty sleep, then we will experience many undesirable changes to our skin and appearance. Adding parties and shopping to already hectic schedules can often lead to less sleep. If you wake with puffy eyes, apply chilled spoons or ice under your eyes. This is a short-term fix and the focus should be on getting enough sleep every night. Aim for at least seven hours so the skin can repair itself.
Too Many Sweets
The foods you eat play a large role in the health of your skin and glycation from sugar can lead to premature skin aging. Indulging in fatty foods and sugary treats is fine to do every now and then, but overdoing can negatively impact the turnover of your skin cells. When this happens, your pores expand in size, making it easier for them to get clogged by dead skin cells and oil. This causes proteins and sebum (the natural oils in your body) to get trapped under your skin. In turn, your skin becomes more susceptible to breakouts.
Luckily, this is easily preventable. To stop this from happening, drink plenty of water every day and try your best to maintain a well-balanced diet. This doesn’t mean you have to cut out junk food entirely, but rather, you simply have to consume other nutritious foods to encourage optimal health. Look for holiday dishes with antioxidants to protect and rejuvenate your skin. Foods high in antioxidants help fight off free radical damage from the suns UV radiation, which is well known to cause skin cancers. Satisfy some of your sweet cravings with fruit rather than cake, cookies and candy.
Too Much Alcohol
White whine and spirits contain a lot of sugar and red wine releases histamines, which can cause skin redness. And all alcohol dehydrates skin, which can make it appear less plump the next day.
Forgetting Lips and Hands
Good hand hygiene may be causing some unintended consequences like dryness, cracking, and inflammation. Moisturize after washing your hands using a fragrance-free moisturizer that is a thick cream or gel. Unlike the rest of your skin, lips tend to dry out and become chapped easily since they do not contain oil glands. Avoid licking your lips (which saps moisture) and protect and moisturize with an SPF 15 or higher lip sunscreen. Remove dry, dead skin flakes by gently brushing your lips with a wet, soft toothbrush or washcloth.
If you’re traveling, be sure to carry lip balm and hand lotion—especially when flying.
Sleeping With Makeup On
Forgetting to remove makeup before bed can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. Gently remove the makeup with a warm, wet towel. Don’t scrub because your face is a very sensitive area. A thorough cleansing is the best step, but you can also keep a package of makeup remover or face wipes by your bed in case you’re too wiped out.
PRO MAKE-UP TIP: Before applying your holiday makeup, cleanse your face thoroughly to rid your skin of bacteria that may build up throughout the festivities. You may apply your holiday makeup on thicker and heavier than your daily makeup so look for a water-based foundation and watch out for harsh ingredients which can cause breakouts, rashes, and irritation. Test the makeup on your wrist or the inside of your elbow to ensure it is safe for your skin type.
Lack of Hydration
As the weather starts to change, so does your skin. And there’s no need to suffer from dry, flaky skin this winter. Everyday we help people achieve their goal of eliminating that dry winter skin as many of our patients seem to be looking for hydration and wanting to know how to get glowing skin. By adding a gentle facial scrub and hydrating mask to your skincare regimen, you will keep your skin looking rejuvenated and fresh. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and while making the party rounds. A good hydrating serum can also help.
There is no better gift for your skin than amplified hydration. Our team especially likes using medical-grade facials, HydraFacial , and therapeutic masks like our PCA Skin Hydration Oat Milk Mask for immediate, intense hydration and help increase your skin’s ability to retain moisture, crating softness and suppleness like never before. Depending on your skin type and individual goals, we have several hydration services to choose from.
If you’re looking for a more dramatic difference in your skin before the holidays, we love to recommend The Perfect Derma Peel two weeks before your holiday parties or photos for glowing and brighter skin. The Perfect Derma Peel is non-invasive with about 4 days of skin peeling and combines powerful ingredients with effective acids to deliver outstanding results after one treatment. This unique formula allows for an increase in lifting of fine lines and wrinkles as well as reducing hyperpigmentation, including melasma.
Cheers to healthy skin this holiday season! If you’re slightly stressing over the events that will take us into 2021, let our skincare experts take one item off your list by addressing your skin issues and concerns. Our dermatologists are available throughout the Phoenix-area and will provide recommendations for your holiday skin survival. Book an appointment for dermatological treatment or a complimentary aesthetic consultation today.
