The holidays can be demanding. Between finding everyone the perfect gift, making travel plans, and entertaining relatives, sometimes you just need some comforting and delicious wintertime goodies – goodies that might not always agree with your skin. Moreover, the exhaustion, travel, and extra holiday stress could leave you looking less than refreshed. While we won't ask you to forgo the yuletide treats and tipples (hello, eggnog season!), we will give you some suggestions on how you can lessen the impact on your skin. Check out our list of dos and don’ts that can keep your complexion looking bright & merry during the holidays and beyond!
Don’t: Forget to remove your makeup.
Whether you slay your makeup every day or just use a dab of tinted moisturizer, you must always remove your makeup thoroughly before bed. Even the gentlest cosmetics attract environmental pollutants that will remain on your skin until you cleanse your face. These pollutants can contain free radicals that damage skin and accelerate aging.
Moreover, wearing makeup overnight can clog pores and create an environment where acne-causing bacteria can flourish.
The holiday season is filled with parties and get-togethers; performing a full nighttime cleansing routine after an evening of celebrating can seem like a drag, but it’s worth it in the long run. A fantastic (and fast) makeup remover is
ISDIN Micellar Solution 4-in-one cleansing water. This fragrance-free, soap-free, alcohol-free solution removes makeup, oil, and impurities quickly, leaving skin soft and hydrated.
Do: Have a gentle, consistent cleansing routine.
Keeping your skin free of dirt, makeup, and environmental toxins is a key step in maintaining a healthy complexion. Your cleansing routine should start with a gentle product that removes daily impurities while addressing your unique skin needs.
If you have oily, breakout-prone skin, a great product to try is
WestDerm Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Wash with Aloe Vera. This oil-free cleanser offers powerful anti-acne ingredients that target bacteria that cause breakouts and inflammation without drying or irritating sensitive skin. Soothing aloe vera facilitates healing existing breakouts and keeps skin soft and hydrated.
Don’t: Visit the tanning salon.
When winter approaches, it can be tempting to retain a sun-kissed glow with the help of a tanning bed. Tanning beds are in no way safer than sun exposure; UV exposure from indoor tanning beds can significantly raise the risk of developing
basal cell carcinoma and
squamous cell carcinoma – two types of
skin cancer.
To get a healthy, radiant glow, skip the tanning bed and wake up the beautiful and healthy skin underneath. A
rejuvenating facial boosts collagen production, enhances circulation, and aids in the flushing of toxins.
Do: Remember your lips!
Keep your lips mistletoe-ready by making sure they are always soft, smooth, moisturized, and protected with
WestDerm Plumping Lip Treatment with SPF 30. This multipurpose lip plumping and protecting treatment not only shields lips from damaging ultraviolet exposure, but also delivers several forms of hyaluronic acid that attract and retain moisture. Best of all -- it facilitates collagen production for healthy, youthful lips year-round!
Don’t: Make a habit of using UV nail lamps for your mani-pedis.
To be clear: While there have been reports of squamous cell carcinoma of the hands connected with continued, long-term use of UV lamps for drying and curing nails, a single, isolated use of a UV nail lamp has
not been shown to raise the risk of cancer. Nevertheless, it’s best to avoid unnecessary UV exposure if you have a health condition that makes you sensitive to UV rays or if you are on medications or supplements that increase your UV sensitivity.
Also – don’t be fooled by a curing lamp that is labeled “LED” lamp rather than “UV” lamp. Both devices emit UVA rays and present the same level of risk to your skin and nails.
If you have a nail condition that compromises the appearance of your nails, don’t use mani-pedis to cover it up – have it treated. To
keep your nails healthy and beautiful this season, have them checked for issues and infections that can compromise their appearance.
Do: Wear sunscreen.
Just because the weather is cooler doesn’t mean you can forget sun protection; the sun’s rays are just as powerful in the fall as they are in the warmer months.
Do: Schedule an appointment with a qualified dermatologist physician or provider.
Give yourself the gift of healthy skin this holiday season with a visit to one of our state-of-the-art dermatology centers. To find the location nearest you,
please visit our information page and book an appointment today!