Last Updated on October 30, 2020 by Holly
The holiday season is in full swing. As fun as the late nights, food, beverages, and frivolity are, they also mean added stress to our complexions.
All of those delicious, rich desserts and party foods can contribute to sebum production which promotes acne breakouts. While our favorite adult beverages and late nights, cause dry, dull skin. What’s a girl to do?
Do not fear. With a little TLC during the week, your skin will recapture its glow in time for the next holiday soirée!
Dull Skin Culprits
It isn’t just alcoholic beverages that contribute to dry, dull complexions. The holiday season tends to throw off exercise routines and water intake, contributing to our skin not looking it’s best.
Water
First and foremost, work water back into your routine. It will help to start the process of re-hydrating your skin from the inside. Shoot for 8 8oz glasses of water a day, minimum. If you know that you may be having a few alcoholic beverages that evening, up your water intake during the day, that way you won’t become too dehydrated.
Makeup
Don’t go to bed with your makeup on. Arriving home late after a great night, it can be hard to muster up the strength go through the whole nightly beauty routine. I completely get it! However, your skin does not. Sleeping with make up on breeds bacteria, clogs pores, which contribute to acne and dull skin. Do yourself a favor, wash that face! It will save time and frustration in the long run.
Sleep
Try to get 8 hours of sleep. For some of us this target maybe laughable. Your skin isn’t laughing. While we are sleeping our bodies are busy repairing, that goes for our skin too. Do your best to reach that 8-hour target, during the week. You will be so glad you did when the weekend comes around!
Out with the Old, Exfoliate
Exfoliating is the next step to adding the pep back to our complexions and skin. Sloughing off the old skin cells reveals brighter, younger skin. Once the old skin has been buffed away, the skin will be able to more readily absorb serums and moisturizers.
For most skin types, exfoliating once a week is good enough. Exfoliating too often can aggravate, rosacea and acne.
The skin of the décolleté, neck, and face are delicate. It’s important to take special care when exfoliating these areas. Choose a facial scrub, or make one of your own, that is face specific.
When applying, start at the décolleté and work your way up, using upward strokes on the application, followed by gentle circles. No tugging down ward on the skin!
When it comes time to take off the facial scrub, again use upward motion so as to not pull the skin.
Two exfoliating face masks I would recommend are: The Body Shops Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Mask and a homemade Oatmeal Honey mask.
The Body Shop Purifying Mask tingles when your put it on. The charcoal draws out the impurities in the skin. The chunky texture helps to exfoliate when it is taken off.
What I love about a DIY mask or scrub is that many times everything you need is in the kitchen! I kinda love that whole instant gratification thing. And they are cheap!
An oatmeal honey mask/scrub goes together quickly. Both the honey and oatmeal have anti-inflammatory properties. Honey also acts as an antiseptic and helps the skin to retain moisture.
This mask is great for acne or clear skin in need of a little TLC.
Oatmeal Honey Mask or Scrub
½ C of Oatmeal
1c. of water
2 Tablespoons of honey
Optional: 2 drops of Lavender oil (relaxing and antibacterial)
Make the oatmeal as you would for breakfast. While it is still warm, add the honey and possibly lavender. Apply lukewarm or cold.
If using for exfoliating purposes, apply in circular manner, gently. Then gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth. Making sure to wipe upward as to not pull the skin.
For use as a mask: apply and leave on for 10-15minutes. Wipe off gently with a damp washcloth.
Moisture and Vitamins
Moisturizers and serums are epically important after having exfoliated.
A moisturizer with glycerin, vitamin E, or sphingolipids will help to retain moisture.
Aging
For ingredients that help fight the signs of aging look for hyaluronic acid, glycolic or alpha hydroxy acid.
Serums, a must
Serums are also a nice compliment to your skin care regime, especially when you are trying to pamper and reinvigorate your dull skin.
A serum with Vitamin C is a little power house. Vitamin C helps to brighten skin, even out the skins tone, combat free radicals, prevent wrinkles, combat sun damage, and aids in collagen production. This little vitamin does a lot!
Apply your serum before your moisturizer. This allows your skin to absorb all of the good stuff that the serum offers, while the moisturizer will help to lock it all in.
All Skin Needs TLC
Exfoliating the rest of your body is so important too. The winter weather and holiday parties take their toll on the whole body.
Exfoliating isn’t just for faces, necks and décolleté.
The skin on our bodies is different than that of our faces. It tends to be tougher. Exfoliating scrubs for this type of skin are generally grittier.
Exfoliating your whole self once a week, with special attention to elbows and knees.
Sloughing off the old skin, will give your body the chance to renew itself too. Just like with moisturizing the face, soon after exfoliating is a perfect opportunity to moisturize.
After the old cells are buffed away the body is ready to absorb the nourishment and moisture of a body crème, preferably with shea butter.
Body Scrub
Having trouble deciding on a body scrub? Look no further than your kitchen or Amazon (they have everything).
A homemade honey scrub is so easy to throw together and great for your skin. While the sugar gently buffs away your dead skin cells, honey will draw moisture into the newly revealed skin cells.
Honey Sugar Body Scrub
1 tsp honey
¼ C. light olive oil
1 C. raw or granulated sugar.
Optional: 2 tsp citrus zest
Mix well, then store in an air tight container.
If DIY isn’t your thing, Target has you covered. The Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub , has a 5-Star rating and 170+ reviews, is paraben free and filled with all kinds of good stuff like:
- Certified Shea Butter
- Moroccan Argan oil
- Rosehip oil
- Evening Primrose oil
- Safflower Seed oil
- Sweet Almond oil
- Avocado oil
- Orange Oil
Moisturizing from the oils and great exfoliation from the sugar will lead to some smooth pampered winter skin.
What are some skin hacks you use during this busy time of year?
