As the Christmas season approaches, our calendars fill up with festive gatherings. In the middle of all the festivities, it's essential to take a moment to care for yourself and your skin. The winter weather, coupled with holiday stress, can take a toll on your skin, leaving it dull and dehydrated.
Taking the proper steps with your festive skincare routine and daily habits can help you maintain your glow and prevent breakouts, while still enjoying everything the season has to offer.
Prioritise Sleep and Combat Stress
As we sleep, the lymphatic system eliminates toxins, which is why a suitable amount of sleep, around 7-8 hours, is crucial for improving bodily function and skin health. Sleep deprivation and chronic stress spike cortisol levels, having an impact on your skin. The skin often bears the brunt, showcasing signs like dark circles and breakouts.
Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving skin health and maintaining your glow:
Skin Repair and Regeneration: During sleep, your body is in repair mode. Skin cells regenerate more rapidly, and collagen production increases, helping to heal damage and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Improves Skin Hydration: Sleep helps regulate hydration levels in the skin. When you're well-rested, your skin retains moisture better, leading to a more hydrated and plump appearance.
Reduces Inflammation: Lack of sleep can exacerbate inflammation and lead to skin conditions like acne and eczema. Adequate sleep helps regulate inflammation and supports a calmer, less irritated complexion.
Enhances Skin Barrier Function: Quality sleep supports the skin’s natural barrier, which helps protect against environmental stressors and prevents moisture loss.
Boosts Blood Flow: During deep sleep, blood flow to the skin increases, providing essential nutrients and oxygen. This improved circulation helps to deliver vital nutrients to skin cells and promotes a healthy, glowing complexion.
Balances Hormones: Sleep helps regulate hormones, including those related to stress, which can affect skin health. For example, elevated stress hormones like cortisol can lead to increased oil production and acne. Adequate sleep helps keep these hormones in check.
Reduces Dark Circles: Getting enough rest can help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. This is because proper sleep improves blood circulation and reduces fluid retention.
Supports Overall Skin Health: Consistent, quality sleep helps maintain the skin’s overall health and appearance, leading to a more youthful, refreshed look.
Try establishing a bedtime self-care routine to reduce stress and help you to wind down. Activities like meditation, yoga, a soothing bath, and a dedicated skincare routine can ease stress, preparing both body and mind for a restful night's sleep.
Sugar in Moderation
While there’s no denying that yummy treats go hand in hand with Christmas, they can also damage our skin. Too much sugar leads to a process called glycation, which happens when sugar binds to proteins and lipids in the body.
Glycation can disrupt the cells in your body. This affects the processes that maintain a youthful and radiant complexion, such as the production of collagen and elastin, making your skin more prone to breakouts and redness.
If you struggle to keep your sweet tooth in check during the holiday season, opt for healthier ways to satisfy your cravings. For example, berries and other fruits are sweet, yet healthy options that are full of antioxidants to damage the body and protect the skin from premature aging.
Hydration is key
The cold winter air tends to strip our skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness and flakiness. To combat this, make hydration a top priority in your skincare routine.
Try a rich and nourishing moisturiser tailored to your skin type to replenish lost moisture. Ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Lactate are great for keeping the skin hydrated. Consider incorporating our Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream into your routine, with active ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and Lactic Acid perfect for a hydration and radiance boost. This specially formulated day cream goes beyond typical moisturisers. It works to combat dryness whilst minimising fine lines and wrinkles, providing your skin with the intense TLC it craves during the winter months.
Exfoliate
Regular exfoliation helps get rid of dead skin cells, allowing your skincare products to work more effectively. Try using a gentle exfoliator to avoid irritation and protect the skin barrier. All of our exfoliating products have been formulated for daily use, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your skin.
By removing dead skin cells and encouraging cell production your skin will feel more radiant and will have that dewy glow all year round.
Why not try our Advanced Exfoliating Facial Wash in your routine. This daily brightening facial wash includes ingredients such Niacinamide and Mulberry extract to brighten the complexion whilst improving overall tone and texture. All of our facial washes will help your skin feel fresh and hydrated, providing the best base for your festive makeup.
Find out the differences between physical and chemical exfoliation and which one is best.
So, whether you’ve got a calendar packed with festive gatherings or you are opting for a quiet season at home, be sure to follow these expert tips to keep your skin protected and glowing all Christmas long.