The winter holiday season often packs more parties and get-togethers than the rest of the year combined. It is also the coldest and driest of the year, which can damage your skin, especially if you already have dry skin. Here are 11 tips that will keep your skin protected during the holidays and for the New Year.
1. Don’t forget to exercise
The holiday season is a time for feasting, and we often forget to keep up with our exercise routines. Exercise not only reduces the excess calories that are gained from all those parties, but can help your skin look better too. Exercise relieves stress, a major factor in skin aging, and increases oxygen flow to your skin, resulting in a younger looking skin.
2. Use a Moisturizer
Moisturizers have many benefits for the skin. It hydrates the skin, and keeps water binding substances that keep the skin moist from leaving. Additionally they also form an extra layer of protection against bacteria, virus, and other contaminants. Products which serve the dual function of cleansing and moisturizing can save you time and money.
3. Washing—protect yourself
Wash your hands properly. The holiday season is often high season for a lot of colds to spread. Remember to rub your hands together for 10 to 15 seconds with soap and warm water. Keep you and your family protected during the holidays.
4. Avoid Hot Water
Hot water can dry out your skin by removing the natural oils in your skin, which retain water. Long hot baths are a common cause of dry skin. For showers, use lukewarm water instead. After showering, dry your skin by patting your skin gently with a towel. Remember to moisturize immediately after drying as damp skin will absorb the moisturizer better.
5. Chapped lips need proper care
Dried and chapped lips can be a chronic problem for some during the winter. Unlike the skin that covers other parts of your body, the lips do not have hair follicles or oil glands that protect the lips from the weather. First, do not lick your lips, as it dehydrates the skin even more. Carry and use lip balm or a lipstick, preferably ones with SPF protection and moisturizers on a regular basis.
6. Pimples—leave them alone
Unfortunately acne doesn’t rest during the holiday season. Do not pop or scratch your pimples. This can irritate your pimples even more, spread acne bacteria, or leave scars on the skin. Visitwww.acneguide.ca for more information on acne.
7. Quit Smoking
Smoking ages your skin drastically by reducing the amount of oxygen that goes to the skin, giving your skin a dull look. It also encourages more lines to form, and gives the skin a yellow appearance. Make quitting smoking the first thing on your new year’s resolution list. Your skin, and the rest of your body will thank you for it.
8. Tweezing Times
Tweezing can be a chore, and unlike you, your hair does not take time off for the holidays. Immediately following a shower is when your skin pores are open and the hair is softened. This is the best time to tweeze. Placing a warm cloth over your brows prior to tweezing will have a similar effect.
9. Clean your cosmetics tray
Over time, bacteria can grow on cosmetic products, posing a danger, especially for products that are applied to areas that are near the eyes. As a general guide, mascara lasts from 3 to 4 months, while foundations can last up to a year. Lipsticks and liners can last up to 2 years. Take the time now to toss out some of the cosmetics that need to be removed from the tray. Remember to clean out your brushes and applicators or get new ones.
10. Smile!
Your face is shaped by the most common expression that you wear. If you are constantly frowning, your expression will show a constant frown. So smile! It is the holidays after all.
11. Get plenty of rest
Adequate sleep is essential in keeping your body healthy, and your skin is no exception. Your body repairs the damage during the day during sleep. If you are lacking sleep, your skin, hair, and nails will be the first to show those signs, becoming dry, dull, and brittle. Do yourself a favor, and keep yourself well rested during this holiday season.
Remember that your skin is the largest organ in your body. Make sure that you don’t neglect it during the holidays. Following these simple steps will kick off the New Year with healthy, hydrated and beautiful skin.