Skin damage control plan for the festive season - b clinic Skip to content

Your skin damage control plan for the festive season.

Have your self a healthy little Christmas:

Our 5 tips for enjoying all the festivities without damaging your skin.

There’s a good reason they call it the silly season! December is often a wondrous riot of social gatherings, parties, family get-togethers, cocktails and rich foods.

On the flip side, the countdown to the holidays means you’re often struggling to get things done in time and as a result, you’re probably burning the candle at both ends

HOW TO HELP YOUR SKIN SURVIVE THE SILLY SEASON

1.Set your limit and stick to it. We’re not saying you can’t have a glass of wine or two with your friends and family. Rather, the message here is to remain honest with yourself about how it affects your skin, appearance, health and mood As a diuretic, alcohol dehydrates your body – and that means dehydrated skin as well as a hangover. Alcohol also dilates your blood vessels, which is why your face gets that puffy look. As the final kicker, while your liver frantically processes the alcohol, it also diverts essential oxygen and nutrients away from your skin.

Ways to combat: Set a limit of 2 glasses of your favourite tipple, and for every glass, drink 2 full glasses of water. Next morning, use a soothing moisturiser like b skin’s Mellow Peptide Cream with peptides, botanicals and hyaluronic acid to plump up, lock in moisture and reduce inflammation

2.Get plenty of shut-eye. Burning the midnight oil, partying hard and waking up hungover is a sure-fire way to make your skin feel lacklustre. We know it’s hard to leave the party early, but getting enough sleep is absolutely crucial for your skin’s health, helping to replenish and regenerate it for vital, radiant looking skin.

When you’re lacking sleep, it shows on your face. Think dark circles (caused by capillaries leaking iron and blood cells into your under-eye area), more visible wrinkles (because your facial             muscles are tired and contracted – turn that frown upside down!) and dull skin.

Ways to combat: The first rule of thumb if you absolutely can’t avoid staying out too late too many times is to sleep in as much as possible or make time for an afternoon power nap (or three). If that’s not possible, exfoliate first thing in the morning to renew your skin – b skin’s Velvet Smooth Serum is a gentle formula that contains Hydroxy acids for smoother, clearer and more supple skin. Follow up with Vitality C serum to combat those dark circles or try our Rescue Eye Serum to reduce any puffiness or fine lines.

 3. Have a long, cool drink of water. Then have another. We’ve already mentioned water in relation to drinking alcohol, but it really bears mentioning again. To keep your skin looking refreshed, radiant and plump whatever the party season throws at it, water is your friend.

Ways to combat: If you find it hard to drink enough water every day, here are some of our top tips:

  • Set an alert on your phone to remind you or download an app that does the job for you
  • Freeze your water bottle overnight – because you’re more likely to drink colder water
  • Use a straw – research shows we drink more using a straw.

 4. Eat right. Christmas is traditionally accompanied by rich foods, salty snacks and sweet treats. Sugar is the worst offender – it creates a chemical reaction in your body that compromises your collagen (for thinner, slacker skin texture and more wrinkles) and your circulation (causing skin that’s dull and sallow).

Ways to combat: Moderation is key. It’s probably not possible to forgo sugary treats altogether this Christmas, but less is more – at least where your skin is concerned. One or two days of indulgence won’t hurt you, but any more and sugar overload can take its toll (remember, there’s a lot of sugar in alcohol, too). If you’ve overdone it, try slathering on a moisturiser or mask containing vitamin C, retinol and antioxidants to help protect and rebuild your collagen stores.

 5. Stay active. All of this lack of sleep, dehydration and overindulging will probably make you feel lethargic, irritable and lacking motivation. But it’s important to stay active, even if it’s less than you’d normally do during the year. Even gentle exercise increases blood flow, helps nourish skin cells and makes your skin look brighter and smoother.

Ways to combat: There’s lots of ways to get your exercise in without even realising for a stroll after Christmas with friends and loved ones, swim some leisurely laps on a hot day (with the added bonus of getting some natural vitamin D), or leave the car at home, shop till you drop then carry your gifts with you on the bus. If you want to get a bit more active without hitting the gym, try a vigorous game of backyard cricket or beach volleyball, clean up the house and garden (ready for guests) at full pelt, or dance your heart out to a fast beat.

 

On behalf of b clinic, we wish you a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy 2018! Be well!