If you’re like most of us, the festive season and all the parties and merriment that come with it may have encouraged you to let go of your usual good habits and everyday health routines and indulged a lot more than usual.
You may have eaten more junk, consumed more alcohol, had a sneaky cigarette or two, and run out of time to exercise.
If so, your skin is likely showing you the effects of this period right now.
If you didn’t get much sleep during the holidays and were stressed out seeing family or trying to get everything done in time for Christmas, etc., this would have exacerbated potential breakouts and dullness, too.
Happily, though, you can be proactive and do some things today to help your skin look fresher and clearer.
Give Your Skin a Break
Firstly, since you no doubt wore a lot of makeup over the festive period, perhaps more than usual, and it may have been quite a stressful couple of weeks, it pays to give your skin a break.
Do some deep breathing and stretching to de-stress yourself, and then avoid makeup as much as you can for a week or so.
Steering clear of makeup for a while will allow your skin to breathe and not have to deal with products, especially those laden with chemicals, for a time.
When you need to wear makeup, try not to slather it on thickly, and then be sure to wash it off as soon as you can.
Get More Rest
It’s also essential to catch up on the rest you probably need after such a busy time.
The term “beauty sleep” exists for a reason: the skin replenishes itself overnight.
Like the rest of the body, our skin has a circadian rhythm and goes to work rejuvenating itself as we sleep.
This time is also when it’s most receptive to the nourishing moisturizers, serums, oils, and the like that we slather on before bed.
Not getting enough sleep over the holidays can negatively impact your skin’s process of restoration, and, in turn, you may notice it seems to look lackluster, dull, and more aged as a result.
Focus on going to bed earlier so you’re asleep by 11, and utilize an overnight face mask or serum that can help boost the process of skin turnover as you rest.
If you find it hard to get the shut-eye you know you need, consider utilizing a sleeping tablet, a natural supplement like valerian root, or head to a well-regarded CBD store to pick up some CBD products with melatonin in them to assist you to relax and sleep more deeply.
Exfoliate and Steam
Another way to help your skin is to unclog it by using quality exfoliators.
These products will remove old skin cells and help to stop the dermis from looking as dull. It’s also wise to do some steaming.
You might sit in a steam room or place your face over hot water with some essential oils added to it to help open up your pores.
This allows the impurities to come out and get cleansed off, and the steam can also help kill bacteria on your skin and prevent them from multiplying.
Exfoliating and steaming will aid the products you use on your skin to penetrate and work more effectively, too, since they clear out and open pores so the beneficial ingredients can do their thing.
Exercise
Help clear out your skin by exercising moderately or intensely.
Provided you work up a sweat, you should get toxins coming out and notice your skin improving as a result.
Workouts that get your heart rate up also boost blood flow and lymph circulation around your body, which further flushes out wastes and gives your body and skin a detox.
The fewer impurities you must deal with, the clearer and more radiant your skin should look.
Furthermore, exercise is a great way to de-stress and get rid of some of the increased cortisol levels and other stress hormones that can build up over the festive season and impact skin quality.
Stay Hydrated
Give your skin the best chance of looking its best by staying well hydrated.
Water is vital for happy skin at the best of times but is particularly necessary if you’ve been eating more sodium- and fat-laden goods than usual over the holidays.
Also, alcohol dehydrates the whole body, including the skin, so drinking more water will help rehydrate everything if you consumed more alcoholic beverages than you intended over the holidays.
Concentrate on drinking filtered water, at least two liters per day, to help clean your body from the inside out.
Drinking teas, such as green, dandelion, chamomile, peppermint, and the like can also help you look and feel better.
It might take a little while for you to notice the results of your efforts when it comes to your skin but be proactive and patient and you should soon start noticing some positive changes.