RECOVERY 101
HELPING YOUR SKIN RECOVER FROM LONG-WEEKEND CELEBRATIONS
If you find that holiday weekends take a toll on your complexion, you are likely not alone!
Let’s face it, we all enjoy the good things life has to offer, including good food, good drinks, and staying up late. However, the accumulation of all of these things definitely impacts our skin, and not in a good way.
HOLIDAY INDULGENCES THAT IMPACT YOUR SKIN
- Alcohol: According to the American Academy of Dermatology, experts suggest that alcohol deprives the skin of vital vitamins and nutrients which over time, has detrimental effects on your skin. The tannins in red wine are especially harmful to people with skin issues like rosacea, leading to a flare-up 76 percent of the time
- Sugar: Refined sugars cause insulin levels to spike, which leads to inflammation and the production of enzymes that break down collagen and elastin. In other words, excess sugar consumption can actually make your skin look saggy and wrinkled over time. Sugar can also aggravate conditions like rosacea and acne, resulting in unwanted hyperpigmentation
- Sodium: The traditional salty holiday menus can also have ravaging effects on your skin. Excess salt causes water retention in the whole body, so you may notice facial swelling or localized puffiness around the eyes. Too much sodium can also go one of two ways: dry, cracked skin or overproduction of oil as your skin tries to compensate for its dehydration (hello, a straight gateway to breakouts!)
So how can you reverse the side effects of long-weekend celebrations on your skin?
As always, we’ve got you covered…
DO: HYDRATE IN PREVENTION.
Moisturizer should be applied both after removing your makeup at night and the morning after in order to avoid skin peeling and irritation.
And while you’re at it, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day: alcohol significantly parches your body, and there’s nothing good for your skin that comes from dehydration!
DON’T: AGGRESSIVELY CLEANSE.
Over-cleansing and over-exfoliating disrupt the natural balance of your skin’s protective layer.
Celebrity aesthetician Renée Rouleau explains that aggressive cleansing leads to skin inflammation, and prolonged inflammation is a major cause of skin aging. Stick to gentle cleansing products that gently emulsify sebum and makeup residue without stripping your skin– this will prevent the onset of early aging signs like fine lines and dehydrated skin, says Gretchen Frieling, MD. and triple board-certified dermatopathologist based in Boston.
GENTLE CLEANSER $48
AGE INTERVENTION GENTLE CLEANSER $36
DO: LET YOUR SKIN BREATHE
Post-holiday mornings are one of those times when your skin is simply begging you for a break. Dry skin gets even drier, breakouts are happening, eczema and other inflammations are likely to flare up even more...
Our advice? Skip the makeup for one day.
Give your skin time to breathe and regenerate with the help of your high-quality skincare products. According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD. and Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital, taking a break from makeup helps the skin repair itself. It also removes physical blockages from the surface of the skin, which can help clear pores and improve any makeup-related issues, such as acne.
DO: OPT FOR A SERUM
A serum is your best option when looking to reduce signs of fatigue after a big weekend, as they promote rapid regeneration and repair of your skin cells. Your skin will quickly get back to radiant, even if you’re low on quality shut-eye.
Expert dermatologist Dr. Janet Prystowsky explains that serums are designed to penetrate the skin faster than creams, as they are not diluted with moisturizer. Serums are also made with much smaller molecules, so their effectiveness is rapidly noticeable.
Please note that serums should not be used alone, as they are considered “boosters” that target specific concerns and accelerate results. Therefore, we recommend following up on the application with a hydrating cream.
BALANCING ANTI-OXIDANT SERUM $95
INTENSIVE HYALURONIC SERUM $95
IN CONCLUSION
After a long holiday weekend, it pays to give extra special attention to your skin-care regime and give your face some TLC.
Make sure to always remove your makeup before bedtime after a night out. Keep your skin at its best by using high-quality products, including a day cream with SPF and anti-aging agents, a highly moisturizing night cream, a serum adapted to your skin concerns as well as an eye cream for the sensitive skin around your eyes.
With all of that being said, we hope to have equipped you with all you need to enjoy the upcoming celebrations with confidence, and the glowing skin you deserve.
Until next time,
Mathilde