5 ways Holidays affect your skin

Holiday season is great! But while you’re soaking in the joy of gatherings, rich foods, cozy nights by the fire and travelling your skin might be dealing with a different kind of impact. From colder weather to stress-induced breakouts, the holidays can be hard on your complexion. Here’s a closer look at five ways the holiday season can affect your skin and how to mitigate the damage for a glowing, healthy holiday look.

1. Dry skin from cold weather and indoor heat
As winter sets in, the cold air can strip your skin of its natural moisture. Combined with the dry heat from indoor heating systems, it’s easy for skin to become parched, flaky, and irritated. The lack of humidity can cause your skin to feel tight, look dull, and even develop fine lines.

2. Holiday stress and acne breakouts
The hustle and bustle of the holidays—shopping, traveling, cooking, and social obligations—can trigger a lot of stress. For many people, stress manifests as acne breakouts. The surge in cortisol (the stress hormone) can lead to increased oil production, clogged pores, and inflammation, often resulting in pimples or cystic acne.

3. Overindulgence in food and drink
The holiday season is synonymous with indulgence—think rich meals, sugary desserts, and an increase in alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, these treats can negatively affect your skin. Sugar, in particular, can lead to glycation, a process where excess sugar attaches to collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, breaking them down and contributing to fine lines and wrinkles. Alcohol, on the other hand, is dehydrating, which can leave your skin looking dull and tired.

4. Holiday makeup and skin sensitivity
With all the holiday parties and festive gatherings, makeup application tends to go into overdrive. Unfortunately, long hours of heavy makeup wear can clog pores, irritate sensitive skin, and cause flare-ups for those with conditions like eczema or rosacea. Additionally, makeup removers that aren’t designed for sensitive skin can strip away natural oils, leaving your face feeling raw.

5. Lack of sleep and dull complexion
Amidst the festivities, late nights and early mornings can easily lead to sleep deprivation, which in turn can negatively affect your skin. Lack of sleep increases the production of stress hormones, which can worsen acne and make your skin look tired, puffy, and dull. Additionally, your skin doesn’t have enough time to repair itself overnight, which can slow down the healing process for blemishes or other skin issues.