Holiday Survival Guide for Your Skin

November is National Healthy Skin month, making it a great time to reconsider how you handle your skin care routine. When you combine the cold winter weather with the food and stress from the holiday season, it’s a perfect recipe for a skin health disaster. Dr. Victoria Negrete, board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology, highly recommends the following tips for anyone looking to keep their skin glowing, moisturized and protected this holiday season, and beyond:

Continue to Wear Sunscreen
Sunscreen may be the last thing you think about as the days continue to shorten, but in truth it needs to be applied year-round, not just during the summer months. The sun’s UV rays are still powerful enough in the winter months to cause skin damage. At minimum, apply a moisturizer containing SPF30.

Don’t Forget Your Lips
At a time of the year where we cover up our skin from the cold, our lips take the brunt of the cold, wind and sun exposure. To prevent chapped and sore lips from ruining your holiday season, carry an SPF lip balm or Vaseline with you and apply generously throughout the day.

Keep Your Skin Moist
Your skin needs to stay hydrated in order to stay healthy. Summer’s humidity naturally kept your skin moist, but in the cooler, dryer months you need to supplement your skin with a whole body moisturizer. Apply a moisturizing cream morning and night and as needed throughout the day. Find a shower body wash that includes a moisturizer if you are short on time.

Check Your Stress
The holiday season can mean increased stress levels for many. From holiday planning to visits with family, stress can find its way into our lives. Unfortunately, stress is a huge contributor to skin problems like acne and wrinkles. If you find your stress levels increasing, find a way to relax and make sure to incorporate it into your weekly schedule.

Seek out Healthy Foods
Last, but certainly not least, amongst the sea of sweets and treats it is important to maintain a healthy diet to keep your skin’s health in check.

Eating a diet that is rich in Omega 3s and vitamins is essential to maintaining your skin’s natural glow. Find balance to the sweets by consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.

In addition, try your best to avoid the two worst categories of holiday foods. The first is baked goods. The ever-tempting Christmas treats are commonly packed with refined sugar and white flour, which can damage collagen and elastin in the skin. Additionally, excess sugar consumption can trigger acne breakouts and result in dull-appearing skin. The second is salty foods. Eating lots of salty foods leads to excess fluid retention in the skin, creating a puffy look. Look for foods that are lower in sodium and refrain from adding additional salt while at the table.

The winter months and holiday season will only be harsh on your skin if you allow it to be. Follow these tips and you are on a great path to having picture perfect skin this holiday season. If you continue to struggle with any skin issues be sure to seek out the help of a board-certified dermatologist who can create a customized treatment plan for you.

Skin Struggles?
At Forefront Dermatology, we know that life is all about the moments when you don’t need us. That’s why we’re here for all the moments when you do. We offer comprehensive and compassionate care for all skin conditions and create customized treatment plans for all ages – even the tiniest of patients! Find a location near you today.