Christmas party season skincare hacks
Christmas party season skincare hacks
The festive season is officially here and with it, comes late nights and plenty of delicious treats. But our skin doesn’t always share in the festive cheer. Every year, at our clinic, we notice the tell-tale signs of Christmas overindulgence on the skin, including dryness, irritation and unwanted breakouts.
The good news? Striking a balance between enjoying the festivities and keeping your skin happy isn’t as difficult as it may seem. Here are some simple tips to help you care for your skin both before and after the festive season.
Skin challenges during the party season
While everyone’s skin is different, winter often triggers dryness, and festive indulgences can make this worse. Salty foods, like canapés and crisps, can cause the skin to retain water, leading to puffiness and bloating. The excess salt draws moisture from the skin, leaving it looking tired and dull. Sweet treats, particularly those loaded with refined sugars, can trigger inflammation and blood sugar spikes, often resulting in breakouts. Then there’s the wine and champagne – alcohol is a diuretic that draws water out of the body, leading to dehydration and dryness. And with late nights disrupting sleep, the skin’s natural repair process is hindered, making it harder for it to recover. All of these factors can leave the skin struggling during December, but with some careful preparation, you can keep it glowing throughout the season.
How to prepare the skin before a party
Think of your skin as the foundation for all your festive beauty looks. The better you prepare it, the better it will look and feel. To give your skin the best chance to reach optimal health, start prepping weeks before that special party or event.
Stay hydrated
Taking steps to hydrate and nourish the skin in advance can help keep it looking its best throughout the party season. A week before, drink plenty of water and incorporate a hydrating, vitamin C infused serum like our Vitamin C Daily Defence Moisturiser into your regime. It’s designed for all skin types and will amp up hydration levels, protect the skin from the elements and give you a visibly brighter complexion.
When it comes to make-up, heavy formulas can clog the pores, so pick breathable, non-comedogenic formulas. Our award-nominated, super-charged Signature Serum makes the perfect make-up base.
Face massage
Spend time incorporating facial massage into your regime, using your fingers or tools such as a gua sha or kansa wand. This promotes lymphatic drainage, which reduces puffiness and boosts blood circulation to help perk up the skin.
Post-party skin recovery
Late nights and festive indulgence can leave the skin feeling dull and tired. Here’s how to help it bounce back:
Don’t skip cleansing
A deep cleanse before and after applying make-up is essential. Use a gentle but effective cleanser, such as our Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser to remove impurities. Double cleansing can be especially helpful if you’ve been wearing heavier make-up.
Rehydrate and repair
Focus on restoring skin hydration. Apply a serum containing hyaluronic acid or ceramides and follow that with a restorative moisturiser like our Night Recovery Cream, which works wonders while you sleep to repair and rejuvenate tired skin. If you notice a breakout starting to form, dab on our fast-acting Anti-Blemish Concentrate to reduce its appearance.
Prioritise sleep
The ultimate skin healer is rest. Catch up on sleep to allow your skin to repair itself naturally. The longer your sleep, the better your skin will look and feel, so aim to get those seven to nine hours every night.
Nourish from within
Support your skin from the inside out with a nutrient-rich diet. Add foods high in antioxidants, like berries and leafy greens, to help combat the oxidative stress caused by alcohol and party season treats.
With a bit of care and the right skincare products, you can enjoy the festive season without compromising your skin’s health. I hope these tips guide you to healthy, radiant skin that lasts well beyond the New Year.
Have a wonderful festive season.
Dr Somji and Henal
Dr Munir Somji is a cosmetic surgeon and co-founder of DrMediSpa, located in Marylebone, Knightsbridge and Loughton. He has over a decade of experience in performing and teaching advanced aesthetic non-surgical and surgical procedures. Recognising the impact of skin health and the link to confidence and wellbeing, Dr Somji is passionate about restoring patient confidence and has gained himself a reputation for his meticulous work, reassuring manner and performing treatments that deliver subtle results.