The Holiday Guide to Healthy Skin

Mindy

The Holiday Guide to Healthy Skin

By Mindy Black
Licensed Esthetician and CEO of Inner Beauty Skin Care

The Holiday Guide to Healthy Skin

1. Steer clear of sugary treats: Between holiday parties and cookies from grandma, it’s hard to avoid desserts and sweet treats this time of year. It’s no secret that you should limit yourself to one serving (your skin will thank you) because high fructose levels can wreak havoc on your skin. Also, think twice about what you’re putting into loved ones’ stockings! Promote health and beauty by replacing candy with your favorite lip gloss, nail polish or a cleanser.

2. Lay off the alcohol: Alcohol constricts the blood vessels and can cause the skin to become red, sensitive and even hot to the touch, making it uncomfortable. However, from holiday office parties to family get-togethers, you may not be able to resist a drink or two. Believe me, I get it. Start your pregame with a few glasses of water (more than the recommended amount), and alternate between alcoholic beverages and water throughout the night. This way, you won’t wake up with dehydrated skin or that nasty hangover!

Cure hangover skin: Had one drink too many? Dehydration caused by drinking alcoholic beverages can cause dullness, itching, dark circles and even breakouts. First, you’ll want to get your drink on again (yes, I just said that), but this time with water only. Second, try a honey oatmeal mask.

Combine:
1 cup cooked oatmeal
4 teaspoons honey
¼ cup milk

The oatmeal will calm inflammation, the honey will hydrate your skin, and the lactic acid in the milk will give you a gentle peel, sloughing away the hangover and dark circles. Still feeling dehydrated all over? Throw some of this mixture in your bath and forget about that headache.

3. Keep your skin clean: Parties, family time, end-of-year quotas, shorter days, I’m with ya sista! There is little to no time for you, especially during the holidays. But that doesn’t mean your skin care routine should suffer, and it certainly doesn’t have to be complex. A good cleanser, exfoliant and moisturizer are all you need!

4. When buying over-the-counter scrubs, you can’t control the ingredients and the efficacy, and often times they can do more harm than good, especially if you have sensitive skin. Our favorite at-home exfoliant is:

Lemon and Honey Scrub*
½ cup fresh lemon
½ cup sugar
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. raw honey

*Makes a great homemade gift for girlfriends!

The lemon is a good source of vitamin C and works as a natural astringent (like a toner) to even skin tone and tighten pores. The sugar, a source of glycolic acid, acts as the exfoliant, which will improve skin texture. The vitamin E in the olive oil will soothe, and heal the skin, while the honey locks in moisture, reduces inflammation and prevents new breakouts.

5. Skin care should be part of your daily wellness routine. It can’t be an occasional treatment. The holidays are a busy time, but staying committed to you is your guide to ageless skin, because only you can control how you age. For additional tips and tricks, join Inner Beauty Skin Care on Facebook for Sunday Facial Night.