‘Tis the season for joy, giving, nostalgia…. and holiday-induced skin concerns. Somewhere between all the eggnog, celebratory cocktails, and gift opening, we forget to focus on our skin care. Now’s the perfect time to reinvest and correct our skin course. Learn how to restore your skin’s glow post holiday celebration and indulgence below!
2020 has been quite the year to say the least. So, of course, no one could fault you for sneaking in an extra slice of pie (or glass of wine) throughout the holiday season.
But while every yuletide bite and sip is definitely worth the feeling they bring to your taste buds, sometimes, all that excess sugar and alcohol intake can take a toll on your skin.
Ingestion of sugar, for starters, is linked to aging skin, as a 2014 study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, revealed that the sweetener causes changes in the collagen and elastic fibers of the skin. As a result, this can accelerate signs of aging, allowing sagging skin and wrinkles to come to play.
Similarly, since alcohol (sorry, New Year’s champagne!) can be dehydrating, it’s no surprise it can also spell out trouble for your skin, especially when it comes to acne. After all, a 2011 study published in the Dermato Endocrinology journal detailed how dehydration can actually cause your skin to produce more oil, which can lead to troublesome breakouts as a result.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t sneak in some treats here and there, especially during the holiday season.
Though if you are looking to help your skin bounce back after all that holiday indulgence, it’s best to bring some balancing products to your routine in order to soothe any inflammation or dryness on the horizon.
To help you do just that, ahead, we are sharing our go-to, post-holiday skin recovery cheat sheet, filled with balancing products your skin will absolutely thank you for.
Cleanser
Bringing some balance to your skin care regimen definitely starts with choosing pH-balanced skin care products.
Products with a pH level of 4.0-5.0 can be beneficial in minimizing skin irritation, according to a 2018 study published in Current Problems in Dermatology. Irritation aside, pH-balanced skin care products have additional benefits worth writing home about.
These include improved skin barrier function and skin hydration in aging skin. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications found that the skin barrier integrity of participants improved significantly when using products with a pH level of 4.0. This is significant, seeing as a compromised barrier means that your skin can’t hold on to moisture, spurring an array of unwanted side effects like dryness, inflammation, and redness.
With this in mind, we highly recommend cleansing skin with the gentle D’Alba Piedmont Peptide No-Sebum Mild Gel Cleanser. While it contains a pH level of 5.5, it’s gentle enough to clear away excess sebum and blackhead without causing irritation or inflammation.
Serum
A good pH-balancing serum can fit right into your daily routine, especially if you’re looking to address dryness and anti-aging concerns. your skin is dry and in need of anti-aging ingredients.
Aside from combating fine-lines and dryness, a good serum can also be helpful in managing several different facets of your skin’s health. For example, serums are known to protect the skin from free radicals, and often aide in the fight against pesky acne.
That’s why we recommend the Acwell’s Licorice pH Balancing Advance Serum, as not only is it packed with antioxidants, but also contains licorice root extract, an ingredient that can be helpful in treating atopic dermatitis, actinic keratosis, and rosacea, according to a 2020 study published in the biomedicines journal. We love a serum that addresses all of our post-holiday concerns!
Toner
It’s true that some toners can be drying to the skin, especially formulations that contain a high percentage of alcohol.
Swapping to a pH-balanced toner allows you to skip out on the abrasive irritation (and inflammation) associated with traditional toners, as these products gently remove any lingering dirt or makeup (which can clog your pores) your cleanser couldn’t get off, without disrupting healthy skin function.
Thankfully, the Etude House SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner is a great gentle toner that won’t let your skin down, as it’s cool, watery-consistency soothes irritation, and contains a pH level of 5.5.
Face Cream
Usually one of the last steps in our skin care routines, face cream, or moisturizer, is definitely one of the most important. Not only are we reminded of it’s anti-aging and anti-dryness properties by our aunts and grand mothers, we’re also reminded of such by our dermatologists.
With the combination of the winter air, our increased intakes of sugar, and all of the delicious holiday inspired cocktails that are traditional this time of year, we really can’t be forgetting to moisturize with gentle formulations.
Containing a pH level within the range of 5.0-to 7.0, the Acwell Real Aqua Balancing Cream ($30) is sure to handle all of your beauty woes without any redness coming to the fold, as it contains brightening, hydrating, and rebalancing ingredients that leaves the skin supple and smooth.
Alas, just be sure to apply your moisturizer multiple times throughout the day to ensure that your skin stays hydrated and free of dryness, especially as we continue to venture on into the winter months.
+How are you rehabbing your skin post-holidays?
