Between traveling, heavy foods, and added stress, the holidays are a notoriously difficult time for your skin. If you have had breakouts or acne during the holiday season, you are not alone! We will address the three main culprits of holiday skin sabotage and then provide a few solutions for resetting your skin after the holidays!
Travel
For all of the frequent travelers out there, it will come as no surprise that travel can take a toll on your skin. The low humidity in airplanes will dry out your skin quickly. When your skin gets dried out, it will ramp up oil production which can lead to an acne breakout. If your skin dries out easily, consider adding a moisturizer to your flight kit. Also, pay attention to how you are affected by jet lag. Poor sleep has actually been linked to acne, so do your best to get enough rest to let your body recover.
Food
All of the delicious food around the holidays can take a toll on our skin. Sweets in particular have the biggest impact on acne and breakouts. According to WebMD, “The sugar and carbohydrates in these foods tend to get into your blood really quickly. That means they are high on the glycemic index, a measure of how foods affect blood sugar. When your body makes more insulin to bring down blood sugar, it affects other hormones that can boost oil production in your skin.” Fear not though, staying on top of your skincare regimen can help keep breakouts and acne at bay!
Stress
The holidays in general can be a stressful time! Traveling during the busiest time of the year, coordinating time with family, and juggling normal day-to-day life can be a lot for even the most organized person. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “researchers have found a relationship between stress and acne flare-ups. In response to stress, our bodies produce more androgens (a type of hormone). These hormones stimulate the oil glands and hair follicles in the skin, which can lead to acne. This explains why acne can be an ongoing problem when we find ourselves under constant stress.” If you don’t already have enough reasons to manage stress, consider that doing so will help keep your skin looking clean and clear!
Need Help With Your Skin?
Sometimes the holidays get the best of our skin, and it is ok to get help! The providers at SkinMD have everything you need to reset your skin after the holiday season. Whether it is seeing a medical provider for ongoing acne concerns, or a chemical peel with our new Licensed Aesthetician, healthy skin is just around the corner. You can book medical appointments online at a SkinMD location near you! For cosmetic treatments like cosmetic peels, call our office to schedule an appointment at 708-636-3767.
