The holiday season is upon us, and while we’re busy with festivities and checking off our gift lists, it’s easy to neglect our skincare routines.
But just like Santa, your skin keeps track of who’s been naughty and nice. Let’s dive into the holiday skincare habits that will keep your complexion glowing through all the Christmas parties, travelling and family dinners—and the ones you should avoid like a lump of coal in your stocking.
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Naughty Habits to Avoid
If you find yourself or one of your friends being guilty of these habits, don't worry because we have some solutions and tips that will aid you in dropping them by the new year ahead.
Skipping SPF
Even during winter, UV rays can sneak up on you, especially if you’re hitting the slopes or strolling in snowy landscapes. Skipping sunscreen exposes your skin to damage that accelerates aging and can lead to hyperpigmentation. For those with sensitive acne-prone skin, this is particularly important as we don't want to worsen our acne scars. Being diligent with our SPF can also actually help prevent breakouts as it protects our skin barrier.
What To Do Instead:
Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and make it part of your daily routine—yes, even on cloudy days! We have an even more detailed blog focusing on everything you need to know about SPF, outlining the different types of sunscreen and recommendations that you and your friends can enjoy.
Overindulging in Sugary Treats
During the holidays it's inevitable, so don't beat yourself up for it. However balance is crucial. We all love holiday cookies, pies, and chocolates, but too much sugar can lead to inflammation and breakouts.
What To Do Instead:
Enjoy your treats in moderation and balance them with antioxidant-rich foods like berries, nuts, and leafy greens. Remember, healthy food can be just as hearty and delicious. We love this skinfood tofu chocolate mousse recipe for the holiday season.
It'll be the talk of any party. It's rich in antioxidants and you can't even tell it's made out of tofu.
Using Hot Water on Your Face
Cold winter weather might tempt you to crank up the heat during your showers, but hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated, especially if you have sensitive acne-prone skin and eczema.
What To Do Instead:
Stick to lukewarm water and be sure to follow up with a hydrating moisturiser to lock in moisture.
Neglecting Your Nighttime Routine
Late-night parties and holiday events can make it tempting to skip your nighttime skincare routine all together, however sleeping in makeup or with not cleansing properly can lead to clogged pores and dull skin which will result in deep, painful breakouts.
What To Do Instead:
If you're feeling really lazy, keep makeup remover wipes or micellar water handy for quick cleansing on nights when you’re just too tired for a full routine. Be gentle with rubbing your face. However if you can help it, taking the time to wash your face properly with a gentle cleanser will go a long way.
Our favourite method is double cleansing and it really is worth the extra step to keeping your pores clear and preventing breakouts. Here's the full guide on how to keep your pores clean.
Nice Habits to Embrace
Eating Your Skincare
Eating your skincare helps the body treat the skin inside out. Eating your skincare plays a big role in helping the body stay hydrated, which is key to maintaining that holiday glow, especially because the dry winter air can wreak havoc on your skin, leaving it parched and flaky.
Skin Tip:
Incorporate hydrating products like hyaluronic acid serums and rich moisturisers into your routine. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and keep things interesting with hydrating smoothies.
Exfoliating + Sandwich Method
Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, making your skin look brighter and more radiant. However, over-exfoliating can cause redness and sensitivity. Use a gentle chemical exfoliant that is formulated with sensitive skin in mind such as our Multi-Active Treatment Essence.
It's a cult favourite for being hydrating and non-irritating. Perfect for our sensitive acne-prone girlies this winter.
Skin Tip:
The sandwich method is another one of our favourite skincare hacks. Especially if you are new to using actives in your skincare routine, this method is something your skin will love.
Here is the full guide on "sandwiching" your skincare and real stories of real skin using our Multi-Active Treatment Essence.
Prioritising Sleep
The hustle and bustle of the holidays can cut into your beauty sleep, but rest is essential for skin repair and renewal. Getting enough sleep is essential for skin health because during sleep is the time where our body goes through cellular repair, collagen production, and recovery from daily damage.
Skin Tip:
Try to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night and consider using a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent irritation.
Speaking of pillowcases, did you know that not frequently changing your pillowcases and bed sheets can lead to facial and body acne? Especially if you are travelling and staying at different hotels, this bed time hygiene tip can make a difference in your holiday glowy skin goals.
Holiday-Proof Your Routine
Keep It Simple
With the holiday season, it can also be very easy to get overwhelmed with wanting to buy and try so many different kinds of products. Although it can be fun, over complicating your routine will cause more harm than good due to irritation of the skin. The "nicest" skincare habit is keeping your skincare products simple and sticking to what you know works, especially when there are busy changes in your schedule.
Consistency is key. Keep your routine simple: cleanse, hydrate, and protect.
Stock Up on Travel-Sized Essentials
Whether you’re visiting family or taking a winter getaway, keep travel-sized versions of your skincare staples handy to avoid skipping your routine. You can easily just purchase little mini travel containers and squeeze in your favourite skincare, just enough for your trip to keep things light and efficient.
Keep your travel minis in our Beda Travel Pouches to stay organised and cute wherever you go. Our Billie Tote is also ready for you to take home this Christmas, it's big enough to hold all your Christmas gifts + your emotional baggage.
Prioritise Skin Barrier Protection
Travelling, cold air and indoor heating can strip your skin. Boost your routine with ceramide-rich moisturisers to strengthen your barrier or if you're in a pinch just use good ol' vaseline.
Check out this "slugging" skincare hack we use during the cold winter months that not only soothes and repairs the skin barrier, but also makes the skin look even more glowy.
'Tis The Season of Giving & Glowing
This season, give yourself the gift of healthy, glowing skin by sticking to nice skincare habits. But whether you or your friends are naughty or nice, your skin deserves the best—because when you look good, you feel even better.
Forget Santa because Beda is giving you presents this year. Don't forget to enjoy 10% off on all orders this holiday season with the code XMAS10, and let's match our Beda merch and glowy skin together.
With love,
Alia
