Our 6 Best Skin Care Tips for the Holiday Season
Can you believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner? It’s the official start of the holiday season, a time filled with celebrations, holiday parties, lots of food, and, let’s be honest, a bit of stress. While there’s plenty to appreciate during this time of year, no one wants to deal with breakouts or other skin concerns during the festivities.
A solid skincare routine, along with a few simple lifestyle changes, can make all the difference in keeping your skin balanced and resilient throughout the holiday season. In this post, we’ll explore some common holiday skin challenges and share practical tips to help your skin stay healthy and glowing all season long.
How do the holidays affect our skin?
The holiday season’s hustle can take a toll on your health, and your skin often shows it first. The combination of rich holiday foods, colder weather, and less sleep creates the perfect storm for skin issues. Add in the stress of parties, traveling, and last-minute shopping, and it’s easy to see why your skin might struggle.
By staying proactive with your skincare routine and being mindful of these triggers, you can keep your skin balanced and enjoy the season without worry.
Eating habits
Thanksgiving feasts are a highlight of the season, but it’s important to understand how certain holiday staples can affect your skin. Excess carbs break down into sugars, triggering inflammation and accelerating aging. Fat-heavy dishes like gravy and butter can increase androgen levels, leading to breakouts, while salty foods can dehydrate your skin.
For a skin-friendly meal, focus on protein-packed options like turkey, along with antioxidant and vitamin-rich sides such as roasted sweet potatoes (without the marshmallows), green beans, Brussels sprouts, pumpkin, or fresh cranberry sauce with reduced sugar.
Sugary desserts and dairy-rich foods can also take a toll. Sugar disrupts collagen and elastin—key to keeping skin firm and smooth—contributing to acne and premature aging. Dairy has been linked to breakouts, so it’s best to enjoy these treats in moderation. You don’t have to skip dessert entirely :) just opt for smaller portions or try healthier alternatives. A balanced approach will help keep your skin healthy and vibrant throughout the holiday season.
Colder, dry weather
Cold weather can take a serious toll on your skin during the holiday season. The drop in temperature and humidity often leads to drier, more sensitive skin, as the cool air increases water loss and slows down healthy oil production. This combination can leave your skin feeling tight, flaky, and dehydrated.
To make matters worse, we tend to drink more alcohol and less water during the holidays, which further dehydrates the skin. Staying properly hydrated is essential—keep a reusable water bottle with you and make a conscious effort to drink more water throughout the day. Pair this with a rich moisturizer to help lock in hydration and keep your skin balanced and healthy all season long.
Holiday stress
The holiday season often brings elevated stress levels, from juggling family gatherings to managing financial pressures and an endless to-do list. This spike in stress triggers an overproduction of cortisol, which breaks down collagen—the protein that keeps skin firm and smooth—leading to dryness, dullness, and more pronounced signs of aging. Chronic stress can also aggravate skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis, making it even harder to maintain a healthy complexion.
Finding moments to pause and recenter is essential. Prioritizing self-care, whether through quiet reflection, setting boundaries, or simply taking a break from the holiday hustle, helps to manage stress and maintain balance. A calmer mind means healthier skin, and taking time for yourself ensures you’ll navigate the season feeling and looking your best.
Additional Tips for keeping your skin healthy over the holidays
With a few intentional adjustments to your routine, you can effectively protect and keep your skin healthy and glowing throughout the busy holiday season.
1. Incorporate a protective product
Incorporating antioxidant-rich serums into your skincare routine can help protect and repair skin under stress from environmental and lifestyle changes during the holiday season. The Pro-Heal Serum Advance+ is a powerful option, offering protection and repair while calming inflammation. Key ingredients include L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), known for its brightening properties, along with Vitamins E and A, and Olive Leaf Extract.
Don’t forget sunscreen, yes, even in winter, to shield your skin from harmful UV rays that contribute to premature aging.
2. Focus on keeping skin hydrated
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Dehydrated skin can look dull and feel tight, making hydration essential during the holidays. Incorporate hydrating products like the Hydra-Intense Cooling Mask, a hydrator that also soothes inflammation, and Environ's HA Intensive Hydrating Serum for an extra moisture boost. For travel, especially to drier climates, prepare your skin with a quality hydrator or a barrier cream like Reparative Moisture Emulsion. These products support your skin’s ability to replenish hyaluronic acid, which helps retain moisture and maintain a plump, smooth texture.
Carry a water bottle with you to stay hydrated throughout the day, and use a humidifier to help keep your skin plump and healthy.
3. Keep with your routine & bring products with you while traveling
Keeping up with a skincare routine can be challenging during the holidays when schedules shift and routines get disrupted. Hopefully, you’ve already adjusted your routine for the colder season, so stick to your tried-and-true products. While it may be tempting to use hotel soaps and shampoos while traveling, these often contain harsh ingredients that can irritate and dry out your skin. Travel and stress can also make your skin more sensitive, so avoid starting new products or getting potentially irritating treatments right before an event.
Feel free to step up your makeup game for holiday parties, but be sure to remove it before bed. Leaving makeup on overnight can clog your pores and create a breeding ground for bacteria, two major contributors to breakouts and uneven skin texture.
Bring your own skincare essentials or consult a professional for personalized advice to keep your skin glowing.
4. Limit sugar, alcohol, and maintain a balanced diet
Avoid holiday breakouts and redness by limiting sugar, fried foods, dairy, and alcohol, which can lead to blemishes and inflammation. For healthier dessert options, try festive treats like baked apples with cinnamon or dark chocolate-dipped fruits.
If you indulge, opt for clear liquor with soda water, which has minimal sugar, or a wine spritzer with a splash of red wine for its antioxidant benefits. Staying hydrated will help counter the effects of alcohol and late nights, keeping your skin clear and healthy throughout the season.
5. Manage holiday stressors with positive outlets and self-care
The holiday season can be overwhelming, but we encourage you to take time for yourself, you deserve it. Prioritizing self-care during this busy time can provide a much-needed mental and physical boost. Whether it’s a massage, a fitness class, a peaceful walk in nature, or a relaxing bubble bath, these moments of recharge can do wonders for your well-being. Practices like meditation, yoga, or even deep breathing can help calm your mind and keep your skin looking its best.
6. Get the recommended amount of sleep
Sleep is vital for radiant skin and overall health. During deep rest, your body flushes out toxins, repairs tissues, and regenerates skin cells, all of which are essential for a clear, glowing complexion. Without enough sleep, cortisol levels rise, leading to breakouts, dark circles, and dull skin.
To stay replenished, aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep—even during the busy holiday season. Traveling or staying with family? Stick to your bedtime routine. If changing time zones, reset your body clock by getting natural light during the day and limiting blue light exposure from screens at night. For an extra boost, use an eye mask to enhance melatonin production, which not only supports restful sleep but also acts as an antioxidant and anti-aging ally. Prioritizing sleep will help you feel refreshed and keep your skin looking its best.
Year-round skin health and radiance is possible at JE’DERM skin atelier
Facials play a vital role in maintaining and boosting the health of your skin, especially during times when it might be under extra stress. The holiday season often brings changes to our routines that can affect the skin, making it even more important to give it the care and attention it deserves.
We offer treatments tailored to your unique needs—whether it’s a customized facial to maintain your regular routine or a specialized treatment to target concerns like skin texture, hydration, or collagen production. Book your holiday treatment today and keep your skin looking and feeling its best this season!
Happy Thanksgiving and Holiday Season!
With love,
Judit & Eliana