December is finally here, and for many of us, it can be the ultimate party season so you may be in need of some skin tips. Maybe you have social gatherings with friends or family or even work parties to celebrate the festive season and welcome in Christmas, and why not? It is the season for celebrations, friends, family and connections, after all.
However, this means that you may indulge a little more than you would have previously, have some festive treats, a tipple or twenty, a few more late nights than normal, and maybe even go to bed with your make-up still on. I am here for all of it (well, apart from leaving my make-up on in bed that is 😉), but the rest of it, absolutely. However, you need to be aware that this can all impact your skin, in addition to the seasonal effects of wind, cold air, and central heating.
I want you to have the best festive period possible, having fun while caring for your gorgeous skin. So, I will offer some skin tips on how to do exactly that.
Party Impact
Now we all know the fun side of the party season, letting our hair down and having a holly jolly time (with copious amounts of alcohol and food for some..😂), but this can leave some adverse effects on your skin, such as;
Late nights
- This can cause your skin to become dehydrated.
- The skin barrier can become dysfunctional.
- Your skin may appear dull and less youthful.
- Dark circles and puffy eyes can become apparent.
- You may even experience breakouts or skin irritation.
Increased alcohol
- Increased alcohol can dehydrate your skin, therefore fine lines and wrinkles may be more prominent.
- If you have rosacea or psoriasis, it may flare up.
- Alcohol can cause your blood cells to dilate so your skin flushes and appears red.
- Alcohol can cause water retention, giving a puffy and bloated look.
- AND it can also give you a cracking headache in the morning…..🤭
Food Indulgence
- Foods high in saturated fat and sugar, especially fast foods or party buffets, can exasperate your skin, making it feel dehydrated or irritated and increasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Dairy foods such as lactose can aggravate acne if this is something you are prone to.
- Sugars can damage collagen and elastin, which help to keep your skin youthful and healthy.
- This also can be the cause of an upset stomach.
Going to bed with make-up on
- NEVER go to bed with your makeup on. Nighttime is when your skin heals and rejuvenates itself, and leaving your makeup on will affect this process.
- It can clog your pores and trap oil and dirt, which may lead to breakouts.
- It can give your skin a dull complexion.
- Some cosmetics contain chemicals that may cause added aggravation to your skin.
- You may experience skin irritation or eye infections.
- It can leave your skin feeling dry and rough.
- It will also mess up your bedding!
What can you do to take care of your skin?
Now, don’t let this list frighten you. My skin tips are here for educational purposes so you can understand the importance of taking care of your skin, especially during the party season. So, let’s look at ways in which you can take care of your skin and keep that healthy glow, even during the party season.
Tip 1 ! Always, always, always take off your make-up before you go to bed. This is my number one priority skin tip for everyone. There really is no excuse for not doing this. Forgive my bluntness – I don’t listen to how late it is or how tired you are. From a skin specialist’s point of view, REMOVE YOUR MAKEUP AND WASH YOUR FACE! Use a good quality make-up remover/pre-cleanser and follow with a water-soluble facial cleanser to ensure you remove every last scrap.
Tip 2 ! Hydrate yourself – drink lots of water. We often naturally drink less in winter, but it’s even more important to uphold when we are drinking more alcohol and eating more sugary (and delicious) foods. Making sure you drink plenty of water is essential to removing toxins from your body, regulating hormones and keeping your kidneys functioning correctly.
Tip 3 ! Hydrate your skin – There are so many dehydrating factors during winter, both seasonally and from having a little fun, so ensuring you use a good moisturiser and internal supplementation to keep your skin hydrated will help keep your skin looking and feeling healthy and radiant while reducing any fine lines and wrinkles made more prominent from dehydration.
Tip 4 ! Get as much sleep as possible – Due to late nights and busy schedules, we often experience sleep deprivation during the festive season. However, when you are asleep, your skin repairs and rejuvenates, so if you aren’t getting enough shut-eye, you will notice a difference in your skin. If you can slip in little naps the day before/after your planned late nights, that would be a bonus. Your skin will love you for it.
Tip 5 ! – Don’t neglect your skincare routine – It can be easy to neglect your skincare routine when you are busy and having fun, but keep it up. Completing your skincare routine twice daily will help your skin receive the necessary care needed for skin health.
Tip 6 ! SPF – Even in the winter months, a good SPF is vital to protect your skin from UV radiation and pollution. Prevention is better than cure. UVA rays still reach your skin, even on those cloudy, rainy days, so an SPF with a minimum protection of factor 15 should be in your everyday skincare routine.
Tip 7 ! Give your skin some extra nourishment – With all the external factors going on during the party season, giving your skin a little extra nourishment will go a long way. Consider a professional face mask that you can use at home or professional facial treatments with a skin specialist (like me 😊). This will be of huge benefit to your skin and well-being.
Here are some excellent face masks that you can use at home.
Decaar Calming Mask
CACI Hydro Mask
Environ Hydrating Clay Mask
See the FULL range of face masks
You are worth it
Remember, you absolutely deserve to enjoy this festive season, to have fun, to indulge and celebrate, but please do it while taking care of your skin with my skin tips, and you will keep that festive glow all month long and well into the New Year.🥳🎄
If you would like more tailored advice for your skin, please book a consultation with me.