Avoid annual skin havoc
By Eavanna Breen Skin expert
The holiday season is almost upon us, and as we prepare for all of the Christmas nights out, dinners and lunches, it's vital to think about the health of our skin at this indulgent time of year.
Just when we need our skin to look its best, as we enjoy wrapping up in our Christmas best for annual social gatherings, our skin suffers due to the increase in alcohol consumption, decadent food and the harsh winter weather.
Not taking the correct precautions can leave our skin looking dull and weary, and on top of that for many of us, the dreaded annual Christmas breakouts. A lot of my clients come to me worried about how their skin will respond to the excess indulgences they enjoy throughout the holiday season. Our skin can suffer from all the extra delicious food, sweet snacks, and alcohol. Because of this, plus the significantly colder and stormier weather, our skin tries to adapt as best it can, leaving it looking congested, exhausted, and lacklustre.
I understand how frustrating it can be, especially at Christmas time, when we want to feel and look our best for the celebrations, but the important thing is not to worry, there are lots of steps we can take to help our skin cope better and shine throughout the festive season.
You still need SPF
While UVB levels are often lower in the winter, UVA levels—the UV rays that cause our skin to age—are still very high. You can still be in danger of skin cancer and early ageing from UV radiation even on cloudy days.
Even though it can be difficult to believe on dark, chilly, winter days, we need SPF. This is one step that should never be neglected, no matter the time of year. The Protect & Care Sun Oil by German, applied-science led skincare brand Skinmade, is the best sun protection product I've ever used. You only need a tiny drop in the morning to provide 8 hours of complete protection. UVA and UVB protection are offered throughout the day by this SPF 50 sun oil. The world's strongest antioxidant is also included in the ingredient list, so in addition to offering total sun protection, it also actively doing wonders for your skin health.
Protect your skin barrier
Our vulnerability to pollution, water loss, sensitivities, and bacterial infections that cause breakouts increases when our skin barrier is thin, damaged, or impaired, which harsher weather can often induce. Consider the skin barrier on your body as a bodyguard that keeps out all the harmful toxins. Using chemicals like niacinamide and antioxidants in your skincare routine can assist with maintaining a healthy barrier.
Sleep
Your skin operates according to its circadian rhythm, carrying out specific tasks at specific times during the night. You might be denying your skin the chance to rejuvenate and mend itself if you don't get a full night's sleep.
A top tip is to stop drinking alcohol at least one hour before going to bed and refrain from eating too close to bedtime, to help achieve a restful night’s sleep. Your skin will sincerely thank you for it.
Prevent dry, chapped lips
Because there are fewer oil glands on your lips than the rest of your body, the skin there is thinner and more delicate. Lips can become dry and chapped due to cold weather, sun exposure, dehydration, and frequent lip-licking.
Don't drink yourself dry
Alcohol is a diuretic, which causes the body to become dehydrated and lose salt and water. Dehydration's effects on the skin include dry skin, sunken eyes, dry lips, and flushing. Alcohol can exacerbate inflammatory disorders including acne, eczema, and psoriasis because it also induces inflammation.