The month of December can wreak havoc with your skin.
From sleepless nights to overindulgence on food and alcohol, by January, your skin can look – and feel – lacklustre.
But if we want to start 2023 with glowing skin, there are some things we can do now, that will help in the long run.
So, where do we start and what should we avoid?
Eavanna Breen, beauty expert and the founder of clinic Akina, says the festive period is a common concern for her clients.
‘One of the main worries is how their skin will respond to the excess indulgences they enjoy throughout the holiday season,’ she explains.
‘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 and exhausted.’
‘The important thing is not to worry. There are lots of steps we can take to help our skin cope better and shine throughout this month and into 2023.’
Protect the skin barrier
Because of winter’s harsher conditions, our skin barrier is more vulnerable to pollution, water loss, sensitivity and bacterial infections. At this time of year, Eavanna says it is a good idea to engage with a professional.
‘Consider the skin barrier on your body as a bodyguard that keeps out all the harmful toxins,’ she notes. ‘Using chemicals like niacinamide and antioxidants in your skincare routine can assist with maintaining a healthy barrier.
‘However, it’s possible to over-treat your skin just as much as it is to under-treat it. Take the uncertainty out of skincare decisions by speaking to a skin expert about your skincare routine at home, especially at this time of year.’
Sleep
It can’t be said enough, but sleep is one of life’s best beauty saviours. Sadly, during Christmas, we don’t get enough of it.
‘Your skin operates according to its circadian rhythm, carrying out specific tasks at specific times during the night,’ Eavnna explains. ‘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 for the next few weeks is to stop drinking alcohol at least one hour before going to bed and refrain from eating too close to bedtime. This will help achieve a restful night’s sleep. And your skin will sincerely thank you for it.’
SPF is always key
Though said time and time again, SPF is a must in any skincare routine. Although it may be cloudier in colder months, harmful UV rays are still present.
‘While UVB levels are often lower in the winter, UVA levels – the UV rays that cause our skin to age – are still very high,’ she explains. ‘You can still be in danger of skin cancer and early ageing from UV radiation even on cloudy days.
‘Even though it can be hard to believe that on dark, chilly, winter days we need SPF, it is a step that should never be neglected.’
Eavanna recommends an oil SPF product from German brand Skinmade.
‘It’s called the Protect and Care Sun Oil and is the best sun protection product I’ve ever used,’ she says.
‘You only need a tiny drop in the morning and it gives eight hours of complete protection. The world’s strongest antioxidant is also included in the ingredient list. So, in addition to offering total sun protection, it is also actively doing wonders for your skin health.’
Don’t drink yourself dry
As we all know by now, alcohol is a diuretic and makes her bodies dehydrated. This also has an impact on the skin with symptoms such as dry skin, sunken eyes, dry lips, and flushing showing.
‘Alcohol can also exacerbate inflammatory disorders including acne, eczema, and psoriasis because it also induces inflammation,’ Eavanna explains.
‘On a night out, limiting the amount of alcohol you consume and sipping a glass of water in between each alcoholic beverage will help you stay hydrated overall.
‘Try switching to lower alcohol alternatives such as an alcoholic seltzer water option, which are now hugely popular. Meanwhile, switching to soda or sparkling water as your mixer is also an easy skin-winning tip.’
Use retinol
Avoiding sugar during the festive period is a difficult, and almost impossible, task. Eavanna says that retinol is your best friend in fighting the issue.
‘The natural process known as glycation is where sugar in your bloodstream attaches to proteins to form harmful new molecules known as advanced glycation end products or AGEs for short,’ she adds.
‘The more sugar you eat the more of these AGEs are produced in your body. This is bad news because the body does not recognise AGEs as normal and will produce antibodies that in turn cause inflammation in the skin.
‘They also cause protein to become stiff and malformed, the proteins in skin that are affected are the collagen and elastin proteins. These are the same ones that are responsible for keeping our skin looking fresh and youthful.
‘To combat the issue, using antioxidant ingredients like vitamin C and retinol, will help to counteract the effects of excess sugar on the skin.’
MORE : Five ‘biggest skincare myths’ dispelled by Paula’s Choice founder
MORE : Skincare expert reveals ‘red flag’ products and tips to avoid
MORE : Skincare for when you have a cold and your skin is red raw
For all the latest Lifestyle News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
