Whether you’re young or old, skin is one of the biggest factors in modern beauty standards. According to CNN’s article on the Gen Z beauty boom, young people are increasingly incorporating anti-aging skin products and treatments into their beauty regimes. In 2012, fewer than 20% of women in the US between 18 and 24 years old considered anti-aging skincare to be important; by 2018, another study on the same demographic revealed that more than 50% of women wanted to add age-defying products to their routines. The anti-aging segment alone is predicted to pull in over $88 billion in global sales by 2026. This, coupled with other skin trends reveal one thing: clear, youthful, and dewy skin is in.
Here, we're going to cover how to maintain this kind of healthy and beautiful skin during the holiday season.
Skincare Tips for a Happy Holiday Season
One of the biggest culprits that keeps us from having beautiful skin during the upcoming holiday season (and beyond) is stress. Generally, stress levels increase towards the end of the year due to lack of time, financial problems, family get-togethers, and worries about work. Research from the University of Kansas on holiday stress also suggests that the abundance of sugary foods and changes in sleeping patterns can trigger metabolic, inflammatory, and neurobiological processes tied to depressive illness or poor moods.
All of these factors create a perfect storm for skin. As a chemical response to stress, our bodies release hormones like cortisol, which in turn produces more oil. Stress can also create wrinkles and make existing skin problems worse. So how do we combat stress and maintain glowing, plump skin for the holidays? Here are three tips:
1 - Lifestyle: Build your glow from the inside
Diet is a key factor for healthy skin. Fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants can protect your skin against UV damage, so turn to grapes, berries, pecans, and walnuts the next time you’re in the mood for a snack. And if you're not one for these kinds of snacks, you can often work similarly beneficial foods into blended meals early in the day. An article about healthy breakfast smoothies on SymptomFind offers nutritious tips to perk up your mornings with various healthy combinations. Blending whole fruits with flax seeds or chia seeds can keep you full throughout the day, while boosting your skin’s natural glow. Similarly, adding tomatoes, leafy greens, cucumbers, and avocados to your lunch or dinner will also replenish your skin’s lost collagen. Eating healthy — coupled with staying hydrated and getting enough sleep — will definitely improve your skin’s quality from the inside out.
2 - Skincare: Protect your glow through a daily routine
Our skin takes a beating from the moment we wake up. Exposure to pollution and harmful UV rays in our routine activities can damage skin, aging it prematurely –– even during colder seasons. To combat these day-to-day hazards, wash your face with a gentle cleanser before going to bed, in order to keep grime off and help skin repair itself. Also, incorporate sunscreen during the day (again, even in colder months); UV damage affects skin all year round, not just during the summer. As we discussed in our ‘Decoding SPFs’ blog post, it’s important to apply a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen product everyday, then follow with moisturizer to rehydrate skin.
3 - Makeup: Enhance your glow with the right products
Taking the right approach with makeup can also go a long way. A Harper’s Bazaar feature on wedding day trends reveals that women and brides are now focusing more on their skin, and using less makeup in general. So why not take a similar approach for this year's holiday parties and emphasize your skin? Go for a glowy-natural style with a good primer, highlighter, and blush, without going too heavy on product. Be sure to choose a color on the more natural side, and pay extra attention to blend the foundation into the skin. With the right tools, you can bring that special shine into your look.
Follow these tips and you can keep your skin looking fresh and luminous throughout the months ahead!
Article specially written for helloava.co
By Nicole Robins