With the holidays just around the corner, we begin to indulge in behaviors that are not always so great for our skin and bodies. The sweets on Halloween; the heavy foods on Thanksgiving; the stress on Black Friday; the traveling around Christmas; the imbibing on New Years eve…while these can be highlights of the cooler seasons they can also wreak havoc on our skin that we work so hard to maintain the rest of the year. Luckily there are some tricks to remember so you can have your treats and clear skin!

Alcohol: The Cure for Family-Gatherings, Not Your Skin

Aside from the dreaded hangover, alcohol can have a number of negative effects on your aesthetic wellbeing. Primarily, alcohol can make you forget to perform your daily skincare regimen and perhaps go to bed with a full face of make-up on. Alcohol also dehydrates everything, including your skin.

It’s true that different alcohols have different effects on everyone’s skin. However, it’s best to follow the general rule: the clearer the alcohol, the better. Vodka, Gin and Silver Tequila are examples of alcohol that process through your system faster. You could try drinking a vodka that is not grain-based but rather potato, grape, or corn-based.

Put. Down. The. Cupcake. Your face will thank you.

Sugary foods can produce insulin and hormonal bursts in your system which can trigger acne breakouts. Here are some other categories and examples of foods that affect your skin:

  • Dairy (cheeses, milk, ice cream, and other heavy dairy foods)
  • Carbohydrates (breads, white rice, and pastas)
  • Sugars (candies, liqueurs, chocolates, and candy coated treats)
  • High Glycemic (nuts, fatty proteins, and peanut butter or other nut butters)
  • Fried or Greasy foods (french fries, chips, and deep fried foods)

Seems anything you eat will stress your skin, right? There are some alternatives for these holiday treats such as gluten and dairy free options. If you have a sweet tooth, try an agave-based sweetener rather than a high fructose sweetener. For those of us who enjoy fried foods, try baked options using olive oil which is great for your skin. You also can’t go wrong with lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, but beware of preparations that add the bad stuff we just talked about.

Stress Less and Witness Skin Awesomeness

While the holidays bring many joyous and fun times, they can also bring a lot of stress. Whether you are trying to race for that amazing Black Friday deal or cope with listening to dear Aunt Phoebe’s relentless complaining, it is best to try and remain calm and positive during the holidays. Stress can trigger hormones that clog pores and produce more oil on the skin.

Practicing a bit of mindfulness such as meditation or yoga can drastically reduce stress and improve one’s ability to deal with difficult situations. Always remember, nobody can tell if you’re annoyed because, as a Barris Laser & Skincare client, you’re properly Botox’d… so don’t stress it.

Keep Up With Your Professional Skincare Visits

Your best bet to rid yourself of acne or bad skin during the holidays is simple; along with using medical grade skin care at home, you should maintain your monthly Signature Facial to keep your skin healthy and on point. If you’re really wanting glowing, soft skin for a special holiday event, consider IPL or Microneedling.

While indulging is fun during the holidays, the Barris Laser & Skincare team promotes maintaining healthy, glowing skin all year long. Healthy habits and professional assistance can help you get there. We all love to have a good time but, as with most things, moderation is the key. Hopefully these helpful tips will bring you extra happy holidays!