Healthy skin maintains a smooth, vibrant look no matter what season of the year. However, the holidays can disrupt your skin care routines. Stay focused on proper cleansing, diet, exercise, and sunscreen protection even though the days seem shorter and the demands seem greater. During the holidays also beware of the following if you want to keep that healthy glow in your skin.
Reduce sugar consupmtion
Sugary treats brought into the office look yummy. The holidays may be a time to indulge a bit but know that high-sugar diets can damage collagen and elastin making skin less firm and supple. One way to combat this effect is to decrease sugar intake and use skin care products that boost collagen naturally, contain vitamins B1 and B6 as well as anti-oxidants, especially vitamins C and E.
Limit alcohol intake
Alcoholic drinks can dehydrate the skin. The best choice for your skin is one shot of vodka simply because there are no added ingredients to it. A glass of red wine may be a second choice because of the anti-oxidants it contains. However, red wine is not suggested for anyone who has rosacea since flairs can occur. Sweet alcoholic drinks (mojitos) may make your skin look sallow the next day. Salty drinks (margaritas, beer) may make your skin bloat. Salty/sugary drinks (mixed cocktails, white wine) may make skin swell. Choose non-alcoholic drinks during some of your holiday gatherings and see if it makes a difference to your skin.
Get a good night’s sleep
You may find yourself staying up late at night during the holiday season. Research at University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center on sleep-deprived women showed reduced skin health and accelerated signs of aging including wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and less suppleness. Try to get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night. A lack of sleep can increase stress hormones in the body.
Lower your stress
Stress can morph holiday cheer into skin dread. It seems that the nervous system and stress influence inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and more in humans. Experts are calling the mind-skin connection psychodermatology. When people get tense, the body releases stress hormones that include cortisol. This may increase the skin’s oil production, creating acne. To keep your skin clear, manage holiday demands with a sense of humor and avoid getting overly stressed.
By making a few modifications and remaining vigilant with your existing healthy skin care routines your holidays and skin will stay aglow.