10 Skin Saving Tips for Christmas
EMBRACING THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT OFTEN MEANS IMMERSING OURSELVES IN THE JOYOUS CHAOS OF CHRISTMAS, SURROUNDED BY TWINKLING LIGHTS, FESTIVE DECORATIONS, AND THE WARMTH OF LOVED ONES.
Amidst the merriment, our skin can take a real beating with temperature changes in and out, an exuberance of food and drink, and late nights, just at a time when you want to continue to glow.
Putting some preparations in place to safeguard your skin and allow yourself to have all the fun, is going to help. Prepare with a rejuvenating facial like Hydrafacial or a skin peel to kick start the renewal of skin cells early on in the season, this way you will arrive with a lovely glow ready to party!
With December in full swing, we need to look after ourselves where we can. Here are 10 top tips for keeping your glow over the Christmas period:
1. STAY HYDRATED
In the winter, the air tends to be drier (when it is not raining!), and indoor heating systems can bring about dehydration of the skin. We all know hydrating the skin comes from within, and it is as important to drink plenty of water in the winter as it is in the summer. Well-hydrated skin is more capable of performing its natural functions, including the regulation of temperature, excretion of toxins and protection against environmental pollutants. Proper hydration supports overall skin health and functionality, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, so it is a real essential on the run up to and during your Christmas festivities. Try to drink 8 glasses, or often a better measure is to have a litre bottle of water with you through the day and aim to drink two!
2. NOURISHMENT FROM WITHIN
Keeping up your skins resilience to everything that is thrown at it during the holiday season comes also in the form of good nutrition. Christmas is one of the only times in the year that the majority of us over indulge with high sugar, high fat foods, and where would life be if we removed these indulgences? In between little treats, try to incorporate some nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and Omega-3 fatty acids to provide your skin with the essential building blocks, and keep the glow going through to New Year!
3. REVIEW YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
As the weather changes, so should your skincare routine. Consider switching to a more hydrating moisturizer to combat the dryness that winter air can bring. Additionally, introduce a gentle exfoliant to your routine to slough off dead skin cells and stimulate a fresh, rejuvenated complexion. If you’re not using a vitamin C serum, then this is a definite, as it helps to retain moisture, therefore the glow. Our SW Quench is a balancing and non-drying Hyaluronic Acid based serum, keeping your skin well hydrated without clogging the pores. Ideal under your daily SPF or overnight serums for night-time hydration.
4. SHIELD YOUR SKIN FROM THE ELEMENTS
The colder weather, coupled with brisk winds, can strip your skin of its moisture. Be proactive in protecting your face with a cozy scarf and your hands with gloves. Don’t forget to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to safeguard your skin from the winter sun’s UV rays, which can be more damaging in winter due to reflection off the snow (if you’re lucky enough to be spending Christmas in the Alps!), and a lower ozone layer. Continue to use your daily SPF50 if that’s what you have been using throughout the year.
5. MANAGE YOUR STRESS
While the holidays are a time of joy, they can also bring about stress, and this can be for a multitude of reasons. Maybe you’re packed with activities, including shopping, decorating, cooking, and attending various events. Balancing these commitments and the family within a limited timeframe can be overwhelming. If you can be mindful of the toll that this will take on your skin, you will not give anything away, and seemingly be sailing through the Christmas period completely stress free! You can manage stress through mindfulness techniques like meditation and deep breathing. Remember a calm mind contributes to a calm and clear complexion!
6. THE POWER OF A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
You should be so lucky! Good quality sleep really does suffer over the Christmas party season. We all know that getting good quality sleep is a cornerstone of healthy skin, but if you can’t get 7-8 hours of sleep one night, try to make up for it with a quick nap here and there.
Your skin needs time to renew, and this can only happen at night, so make it count where you can!
7. BE MINDFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU CONSUME
Sorry to add this in, but being conscious of what you are eating and drinking all year round is going to help your overall health. There are going to be delicious sugary delights, and a little now and then is fine, just know when to stop and keep a good balance of good and bad. We don’t want any mid-Christmas breakouts!
8. DIY SPA TIME
How about a little at home skin treatments? Treat your skin to a spa-like experience with DIY masks, combine ingredients like honey, yogurt, and avocado to create hydrating masks that replenish moisture and leave your skin feeling pampered and nourished. If you don’t have time, a salon facial will be great for the skin too, and go along with the indulgence of Christmas! How about booking yourself an afternoon of ‘you’ time amongst all the chaos?
9. EXERCISE – EVEN AT CHRISTMAS!
Physical activity is not only beneficial for your overall health but also for your skin. Exercise promotes blood circulation, contributing to a healthy, vibrant and glowing complexion. Find activities that fit in to your Christmas schedules, and make time for yourself, or why not incorporate exercise with the family, a brisk walk, or a bike ride, both will give you a wonderful glow.
10. MINDFUL MAKEUP REMOVAL:
Don’t forget the makeup removal routines, essential in keeping a healthy glow to your skin. We have all done it, a late night ,often at friends after too much indulgence! Even if you whisk a wipe over your face, that is enough in an emergency to keep the skin clear and able to renew during the night. Otherwise you could be facing clogged pores and breakouts on Christmas day!
Whatever Christmas means to you, there is undoubtedly going to be health and skin challenges. Be mindful, but above all, enjoy yourself, that is what life is all about! The Springwell Clinic is at hand with a range of skin rejuvenation treatments should you need it!
Cheers to a Christmas season filled with joy, beauty, and the glow of healthy skin!