How to look after your skin over the festive period – well, we know what that means for most of us 😂our alcohol consumption may go up a little (or a lot 😜), and we tend to consume more sugary foods and get less sleep due to late night celebrations. Now, this all sounds great fun. However, your skin will not thank you if you don’t take care of it.
I am absolutely not suggesting skipping all the fun, no way. However, I can offer some little bits of advice and guidance for a change-up in your festive skin care routine to help prevent those bad skin days. After all, your skin is the most beautiful part of any outfit, and I’m sure you want to look your absolute best for the party season.
You may have heard this one many times, but I can guarantee you, that it’s absolutely true and one of the best pieces of advice you will ever get when it comes to your skincare regime;
For the best festive skin, always remove your make-up and wash your face before bed 😴
When you sleep with your make-up on, it mixes up the dirt, pollution and oil that has built up on your skin throughout the day and as a result will clog up your pores and cause breakouts on your skin.
There is an increased risk of skin infections as you are not removing the bacteria that has accumulated throughout the day.
Failing to remove your makeup and wash your face will dull the skin. It can lead to hyperpigmentation and will contribute to an uneven skin tone, and let’s be honest, no one wants that!
It is known that overnight, your skin goes through a natural process of moisture loss. Not cleaning your face before bed will exacerbate this process.
And last, but by no means least, it tells me that if you are not washing your face before bed, the chances are you aren’t applying your skincare No one wants to add creams to a dirty face, I hope!!
This second tip, again, may seem a little obvious, but it is still something we often forget during the winter months;
Increase your water intake
In summer, we often drink more water because the temperature is higher, which causes us to sweat and therefore drink more water. However, during winter, when the temperature is colder, we perspire less and, therefore, automatically drink less. We also see less of the sun and feel cooler, which means those natural reminders for us to drink more disappear. Water helps purify your skin, push out toxins and hydrates, which in turn improves the appearance of your skin.
Often, the festive season can be a really busy time for many people. You have to get everything ready for Christmas: the presents, food, organise family, organise the kid’s and spouse’s schedules, parties, shopping, meals out, all while balancing your regular routine of work, taking care of the house, etc. With the lack of time it can often mean we don’t prioritise our self-care and skincare regime, which is why I am adding this tip to help remind you not to forget about your festive skin;
Keep up with your festive skin care routine and treatments
If you already have a really good well-established skincare routine, then with just a few little tweaks, you can absolutely take care of your skin over the festive period (check out last month’s blogs for some great advice on winter treatments). Your skin needs your help a little more in winter with the drop in temperature, the lack of moisture, the colder winds, etc, so don’t forget about it.
My next tip is often something people think is not necessary during winter, but I can promise you it absolutely is;
Wear SPF every day
I know the sun isn’t shining as frequently and the days may feel a little dull and darker, but you still need to wear SPF during the winter months. The UVA (ultraviolet A) rays are still there poking through and breaking down the barrier function of your skin at a fast rate, regardless of the colder season. Wearing an SPF in winter will help prevent long-term damage including premature ageing, hyperpigmentation, skin immunity and photosensitivity.
It is also noted that one of the things that can age you the most is your hands, and because of the drop in temperature during the festive period, we need to take extra care of our hands;
Don’t forget to moisturise your hands
Because winter is so much colder, our hands can often suffer from dryness, flaky skin and irritation, so it’s important not to forget about your hands. When outside in the cold, wear gloves to protect your hands and use a good hand moisturiser daily before you go outside and before you go to bed. Build it into your regular skincare regime, and it will become second nature in no time. Trust me; you will thank me later for this one.
Remember that it’s not just the drop in temperature and the change in the elements that can cause skin damage, it’s also things like indoor heating and long hot baths/showers that can cause moisture loss. Please don’t suffer and not use the heating 🥶 or enjoy a hot shower, but do be mindful of their impact on your skin. Keep your bath/shower water a little cooler and reduce indoor heating temperature where possible. Your skin will thank you.
Remember a few simple tweaks to your routine can go a long way for your skin health.