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 to look our best, 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 many of us get the dreaded annual Christmas breakouts.
Here are skincare specialist, Eavanna Breen’s, top five expert tips to get your skin successfully through to the New Year unscathed.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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,” Eavanna Breen advised. “Your skin will sincerely thank you for it.”
4. 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.
5. 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.
“On a night out, being clever about your alcohol consumption and limiting the amount of alcohol you consume can help you stay hydrated. Try switching to lower alcohol alternatives such as an alcoholic seltzer water option, which are now hugely popular, and always remember to drink a glass of water between every alcoholic drink. Switching to soda or sparkling water as your mixer is also an easy skin-winning tip. Your hangover, as well as your skin, will be extremely grateful.”
