How to help your skin this festive season. It’s starting to feel like Christmas, the weather is warming up and the champagne has started flowing. Many of us tend to overindulge a little bit over the festive season – be it with later nights, an extra glass of wine or those Christmas treats that seem to appear in the staff room at work – you may notice your body (and your skin) doesn’t always thank you in the months following.
It’s important to remember that those little over indulgences, later nights out with friends and increased sun exposure can wreak havoc with your skin; causing breakouts, formation of wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes and a dull and lackluster complexion.
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Despite the celebrations already starting it is a good idea to explore a few of the common culprits that can cause multiple problems to our skin, health and wellbeing over the party months.
Dehydration
The love of champagne, cocktails, wine and eggnog (maybe not). Unfortunately alcohol is one of the worst things you can consume in regards to your skin. I am sure many of you have woken up the morning after a big night out with a new breakout and a dry and dull complexion for the days following.
Alcohol causes dehydration, and dehydration affects the skin by causing a reduction in the ground substance and supportive structures. This results in poor skin tone and integrity, and a dry and sallow appearance. As alcohol is a diuretic and slows down gut motility, it also affects liver function and digestion, we see the effects in dehydration, headaches, poor sleep, bloating, and poor digestion to name a few.
So how do we combat this and still enjoy a glass of wine during party season?
Stay Hydrated
Make sure you drink a large glass of water before you leave the house (having a stomach full of water will help make you feel more full too) and abide by the old rule of drinking a glass of water after each alcoholic drink. Once you’re home drink at least 1L of water before you go to sleep, adding in an electrolyte supplement or Berocca to help replenish and rehydrate (and help prevent a hangover).
I do not advocate getting drunk but this is advice for those who do like to have more than a few drinks during the christmas season.
Skin Care
The addition of a hydration serum to your skin care is essential. I would start using a hydrating serum (such as Ultra MD Ultimate B2 Hydrating Serum). This is my go to product to help restore moisture balance and provide hydration. It’s oil free, feels smooth and silky on the skin and can be used morning and night. It contains provitamin B5 (Panthenol) and Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) and high levels of hyaluronic acid which work as humectants in the skin (that is they attract and retain water).
A new power product on the market is PCA skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting serum which gives instant hydration and boosts the levels of natural hyaluronic acid in the skin.
In addition to a hydrating serum a good emollient or moisturiser is essential. My favourite hydrating moisturiser is Cosmedix Emulsion or Cosmedix Humidify. If required, a rehydration mask containing similar active ingredients can help to relieve dry, distressed and dehydrated skin and help kickstart your skin’s recovery.
But like I have said before, prevention is better than cure so start sipping that H2O and monitor your intake of alcohol this festive season.
Sugar
Sugar is a nemesis of the skin and can rear its ugly head during Christmas parties and in those delicious cocktails on a Friday night. I won’t discuss the overall health problems associated with sugar however its affect on our livers and metabolism can result in increased inflammation within the body which can manifest as congestion and acne.
Many people relax their eating habits this time of year then go on to have a new years ‘detox’ and make new year resolutions that fail after a few weeks. Why not keep a bit of balance during the holiday season to avoid the post Christmas slump?
Keep everything in moderation while still allowing yourself a few sweet treats. Eat a wide variety of lean protein, fruit, vegetables, good fats such as avocados and nuts, and cut out processed foods, whist allowing a little treat here and there. It really isn’t rocket science. Your skin and your waistline will thank you for it.
Diet and excess sugar consumption tips:
- Eat a light meal before you go out – include a lean protein such as chicken, salmon and lots of light salad greens so you don’t get bloated. This will keep you full and stop you grazing at all of the sugar laden treats on offer.
- Have some cinnamon before you go out or go to bed. A teaspoon will help balance your blood sugar a little bit and fight inflammation.
- Exercise. Keep up your regular exercise regime. Move every day and try and incorporate exercise into some of your social engagements.
The use of antioxidants in your skin care regime can help to decrease inflammation in your skin from the dietary changes that accompany the party season. A high dose vitamin C serum works to promote collagen synthesis, provide environmental protection, smooths and firms the skin. Add this to your usual routine and you will see the changes at the end of summer. My go to antioxidant serum is Cosmedix Affirm and PCA Skin C and E Max Strength.
Sleep
I don’t really need to elaborate here. 7-8 hours is ideal. This is when our body (and skin) rejuvenates and repairs for the day ahead. Too much sugar, alcohol and irregular bed times can all result in poor quality sleep. Over the busy Christmas months, try and maintain a regular bed time and waking time, sip on a herbal tea before bed and SWITCH OFF the iphone.
Later nights can also mean that your night time skin routine is forgotten. Remember to wash off your makeup before sleep. Use a micellar water such as Ultraceuticals Micellar water followed by a gentle cleanser to keep things as simple as possible on a late night,
A good overnight mask does wonders too but can be easily forgotten in a tipsy haze at 1am.
Sun
The party season goes hand in hand with summer and increased sun exposure, whehther that be more outdoor activities, time spent at the beach or simply the longer days. The sun exposure in Australia is a direct contributor to our ageing skin and the primary cause of wrinkles, pigmentation changes and of course skin cancer.
Daily SPF 50+ of a broad spectrum sunscreen is non negotiable. I can’t stress this enough. Not only will this limit sunburn and DNA damage from both UVA and UVB rays it will prevent and repair pigmentation and ensure any treatments you decide to have done over the silly season will work to their maximum benefit. SPF in makeup is not considered protection and simply will not offer any benefit to the skin long term.
Sunscreens these days can be both chemical and mineral and suitable for all skin types, formulated in beautiful soft and moisturising bases making them comfortable for the skin and perfect to wear under makeup.
I hope this was helpful and practical for the upcoming party season. Party proof your skin this year and I promise you will see the changes come 2020.
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