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Post-Christmas Excess SOS: Top Recovery Tips

Making space for yourself to celebrate with family and friends is a gift we should all embrace. After all, ‘tis the season to raise a toast, pile on the trimmings, stay up late and have a jolly good time. 

Naturally the thing we sometimes forget about amongst all the festivities, is how tired, delicate or dehydrated we might feel afterwards. As the parties slow down, you’ll most likely want to hold onto the great memories but say goodbye to the dull skin that can appear as a consequence. 

If you’ve had a little too much of everything this festive season, don’t feel guilty. Indulging is natural, so resolve to end the year happily and start a new one with good intentions. We’ll arm you with the right a toolkit of skincare tips to help you get back on track when you’re ready.

Festive Skincare Red Flags, And How To Deal With Them

We asked Skin + Me’s Head of Medical, Dr Jason Thomson to give us his most commonly observed seasonal skin aggravators, and quick tips on how to negate them.

Alcohol

“Unfortunately this has a negative impact on our skin, mainly through dehydration,” Dr Jason explains. “Alcohol is a diuretic which means it increases water loss from our blood via the kidneys. This has a knock on effect.”

“Skin can become dehydrated, leading to moisture loss in the upper layers and result in dry, rough patches, regardless of your skin type. It can also cause flushing due to acetaldehyde, a breakdown product of alcohol that stimulates the release of histamine.”

“Alcohol can have a negative impact on certain skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema and psoriasis resulting in flare-ups.”

DR JASON THOMSON

So, once you’re finished with the parties, make sure you keep hydrated and reduce your alcohol intake. You should aim to drink around three litres of water a day, and you can also eat water-rich foods and fruit and vegetables to boost your hydration levels.

Sugar and chocolate 

Although it’s hard to know exactly how closely linked your diet and skin are, some foods can trigger spots in some people. “Excessively sugary meals (high glycemic index foods) can elevate hormones that increase the activity of oil glands in the skin that can ultimately contribute to acne,” says Dr Jason.

Aim for moderation and a balanced diet after the festive period to reduce the likelihood of breakouts and to help you feel great.

Cold weather and central heating 

“Low humidity causes more water loss from the skin. This can lead to damage to the skin barrier and potential dermatitis,” notes Dr Jason.

To help combat the effects of central heating and chilly weather, make sure to moisturise your skin and don’t over-cleanse. Make sure you’re using a moisturiser with barrier-friendly ingredients that will retain water and nourish the skin. Ingredients to look out for include hyaluronic acid, shea butter, ceramides and humectants.

Stress and family arguments 

“Stress hormones such as cortisol can also indirectly affect the activity of oil glands and contribute to acne,” says Dr Jason.

Although reducing stress is easier said than done, you can learn to manage it in more productive ways. Try deep breathing exercises, talking to a trusted friend and taking time out of a room to recalibrate if things get heated. You can also read more about the connections between your skin and mental health here.

Makeup

“Using too many greasy (occlusive) cosmetics can block pores which can lead to dullness and acne breakouts,” explains Dr Jason

Of course many of us like to dress up at Christmas, but heavier makeup can take a toll on your skin. Dr Jason’s advice? “Use anti-comedogenic (non-pore blocking) cosmetics. Cleansing twice daily is essential to keep unwanted breakouts at bay and remember to double cleanse in the evening to remove SPF and makeup which can block pores. This also allows your evening skincare to penetrate your skin to exert its effects.”

Stick to your routine, with a touch of TLC

Throughout the festivities and beyond, sticking as closely as possible to a regular skincare routine can help keep your skin happy. 

Dr Jason Thomson explains: “There’s no one silver bullet (although your Daily Doser comes close!) but rather the key is to have an effective, simple skincare routine that consists of evidence-based ingredients, targeted towards what you want to achieve. Once you have this routine, sticking to it consistently will ensure success.”

“There’s no silver bullet (although your Daily Doser comes close!) but rather the key is to have an effective, simple skincare routine”

dr jason thomson

“If the excesses of Christmas result in you waking up on Boxing Day with a puffy face, then skincare with caffeine can help reduce the swelling, particularly around the eye area,” Dr Jason continues. “Lymphatic drainage massage of the face and neck area can also help shift the excess fluid in your face. Vitamin C added to your morning routine can also be really helpful. As a powerful antioxidant it works to brighten the skin.”

‘Can you ‘detox’ your skin?

A post-seasonal skincare review appeals theoretically but what does ‘skin detox’ really mean and is it even possible? Going easy on our skin and prioritising our health post-indulgence is one thing. We asked Dr Jason Thomson if we can officially use the D-word:

“There’s no good evidence backing up any form of ‘skin detox’,” he tells us. “This concept has many different meanings that range from stopping applying all products to your skin to let it reset (skin fasting) to applying (or ingesting) products that claim to promote the skin’s natural detoxing function.”

“The exception to this is when you’ve overdone your skincare, for instance, by using too many acids and actives resulting in sensitivity, irritation and compromising your skin’s barrier function. If you have sensitive, irritated skin, then stopping these products and going back to a gentle and supportive skincare routine can be considered a type of ‘skin detox’ and will help you to get your skin back on track.”

Spend some time in the great outdoors

Outdoors is free, as they say, so when you want to recover then getting outside in daylight – will give your mind, body (and skin!) the back-to-best boost you need. Just don’t forget your sunscreen.

As Dr Jason says: “Spending time outside – particularly in green spaces is a natural stress and anxiety-reliever. The less stress you have the happier your skin will be, so get outside in nature as much as you can.”

Make time for that post-lunch walk – your skin will thank you for it. And when it comes to indulgence, it’s all about moderation – go forth, enjoy and feel good.