The Christmas period is a magnet for catch ups with friends, work parties and an excuse to throw all the rules out the window such as a good night’s sleep and healthy eating. Adding to the extra alcohol intake is the stress that comes with shopping for the perfect presents and getting them wrapped up, no matter how organised you are, your pulse rate will be a bit more heavy than usual during the festive season.
With Christmas being such an outgoing season, the effects can take a real toll on your skin. As much as you wish to hibernate for the season it’s easier to take charge to ensure that your skin is ready to survive December.
The experts at Glo Skin Beauty UK have rounded up their 10 steps to keep skin fresh and healthy for the entire festive Christmas party month.
1) Stay hydrated
During the festive period, it is very easy to indulge in foods which are high in both sugar and salt, and drink a large quantity of alcohol. These can dry your skin out and lead to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. In order to fight against these effects, make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water a day to give your complexion a natural and healthy boost at Christmas drinks!
2) Watch your sugar intake
During the Christmas period it’s very easy to fall in the trap of ‘just one more chocolate’. Whilst sugar does give you that extra burst of energy it doesn’t do your skin any favours. Sugar causes inflammation in the body which promotes glycation of your collagen fibers, stops them being supple and loses firmness in the skin. Sugar also causes a reaction with your insulin levels which directly impacts your hormones. The effect of your hormones being imbalanced means you are prone to an acne breakout which is not on the top of your Christmas list.
3) Set aside time for beauty sleep
The hectic schedule that comes with the Christmas period can mean a lot of late nights ‒ but it is vital to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. This not only relaxes your whole body, but it allows your skin to naturally rejuvenate and replenish all the natural oils that have been stripped.
A top reminder is to always take your makeup off before going to bed, there is nothing worse than the dirt of the residue clogging up your pores all throughout the night!
4) Revitalise your face with a mask
For a natural glow, opt for a face mask, a clay mask is an effective way to unclog your pores and help to purify the skin. The Refining Mask is formulated with Sulfur for healing antibacterial oil balancing and cell‑regenerating benefits. It also contains tea tree oil for anti‑microbial and astringent purposes which reveals a calm, clear, smooth and shine‑free complexion. To have excellent results you need to give all the ingredients time to work so usually leave them on for 15‑30 minutes.
5) Book a treatment ‑ me time
You also gain that Christmas glow by going for a boosting skin treatment. A HydraFacial is a type of microdermabrasion that pushes antioxidant‑rich hydrating serums in directly to the skin, this sucks away dead skin cells and grime. Oxy‑Geneo is another type of exfoliating and deep‑cleansing treatment which activates ingredients that flood the skin with brightening oxygen and reviving elements. If you want a treatment for a fresher glow, then choose a light peel and red‑light therapy ‑ just ensure that the peel is light as too much can leave your skin with an inauthentic glow.
6) Make up free days
If you find yourself with a day or few off around the hectic calendar that is December, be sure to go makeup free. It will give your skin a chance to breathe and recover. Going makeup free and regular facial cleansing will reduce the buildup inside the pores making them appear smaller, giving your complexion a smoother finish. It also means that no germy residue is left behind to irritate the development of new cells, this leaves us with a face that’s more vibrant and hydrated.
7) Drink green tea
The winter months can be very tough on your skin, with central heating and the cold snap taking the natural moisture from your skin, it needs protecting! Alcohol will dry your skin out as the body uses water in the process of removing the booze from our systems. After a night out it’s very easy to reach for the coffee but that also adds to the dehydration. Instead, turn to green tea as you will feel the benefits of the anti‑ageing antioxidants and green tea contains a lot less caffeine than standard black tea!
8) Invest in a good serum
If your schedule means you have no time for a face mask or a treatment, then you need to invest in a long‑lasting serum. The Renew Serum is a multi‑action skin‑renewing retinol serum which smooths fine lines while correcting uneven pigmentation, melasma skin and skin texture. The serum is loaded with anti‑inflammatory D‑panthenol which nourishes skin. On application you will keep your skin from being affected by the cold and give it that extra layer of protection.
9) Alternate your treats
If you really need your chocolate fix for the Christmas period, then try to eat dark chocolate as an alternative. It is jam packed with antioxidant polyphenols and anti‑inflammatory astaxanthin which is all the goodness you need for your skin.
10) Breathe in and out
Christmas does host a lot of situations that bring stress; last minute shopping, helping to cook in the kitchen and finding the most perfect Christmas outfit. It is best to try and remain calm as stress triggers hormones that clog up pores and produce more oil on the skin. Practicing mindfulness such as meditation or yoga can reduce the stress and improve your ability to deal with difficult situations. So, you can enjoy the festive period with ease.
