The holiday season is here, and that usually means a packed calendar filled with parties, family gatherings, and other celebrations. It’s the perfect time to make a plan to look your best! The skin care experts at The Derm want to help you get holiday-ready and keep that special glow all winter long.
To achieve a more radiant complexion, it’s important to keep your skin hydrated and prevent moisture loss – both of which can be extra challenging during cold and windy Chicago winters. Here’s everything you need to create a beauty checklist (and check it twice!) so you’ll be ready for all those holiday photo-ops.
Moisturize
We can’t say it enough – keeping your skin moisturized is essential, especially during the winter months. The cold air outside holds less moisture and the heaters we use inside make the air even drier, creating a double-whammy for your skin.
Using cleansers with ceramides helps wash away dirt, oil, and other impurities while protecting your skin’s natural oils. Using moisturizers or serums with hyaluronic acid and plant oils also helps seal moisture into your skin. Look for products that list hyaluronic acid in the first five ingredients, as its primary function is to keep tissues well-lubricated by retaining water.
We recommend moisturizing daily, even if you have oily skin or are prone to acne. A good moisturizer should instantly hydrate dry skin, leaving your skin feeling smooth and nourished. Ask your dermatologist about the best moisturizing products for your particular skin type.
Hydrate
Without the heat and humidity associated with warmer weather, it’s easy to forget to drink enough water. Most people tend to consume far less water during the winter.
To keep your skin looking healthy, you need to hydrate your body from the inside out. Sorry, but drinking coffee, tea, or hot chocolate doesn’t count! Are holiday cocktails on the menu? Alcohol can dehydrate you even further.
Try to drink as much water this winter as you would during the summer. Most healthy adults need at least 4-6 cups of water each day, but eight cups or more are best.
Exfoliate
When your skin is smoother, it reflects more light – talk about a holiday glow. Regular gentle exfoliation removes dull, dead skin cells and generates new cell production, giving you a brighter, more radiant complexion.
Ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids break down the bonds that keep dead cells on your skin’s surface, revealing the fresh, healthy skin underneath. The stimulation of new cells also helps create firmer, smoother skin. Think of exfoliation as out with the old, in with the new.
Rest
Aside from dark circles under your eyes, you might wonder what sleep has to do with your skin. But you need lots of sleep to repair the damage your skin experiences during the day – hence the name “beauty rest.”
People often skimp on sleep during the hectic holiday season, but adequate sleep helps your skin build collagen, prevent inflammation that can lead to acne, and even heal wounds. Try to get at least seven hours of sleep every night, even in the midst of your holiday schedule. Your skin will thank you for it!
Favorite holiday-ready treatments
Good news: you don’t have to try to create the holiday glow you want all by yourself. The Derm offers many cosmetic dermatology treatments to refresh and brighten your skin, including:
- Injectables and fillers – If cold weather and Chicago wind have taken a toll on your skin, injectables and fillers can help. Products like Botox®, Juvederm Voluma®, Dysport®, Restylane Silk®, Sculptra®, and Kybella® are excellent options for treating fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, and other signs of aging.
- HydraFacials – HydraFacial treatment removes dead skin cells while bathing the new skin underneath with cleansing, hydrating, and moisturizing serums.
- Photo facials – Photo facials use intense pulsed light (IPL) to treat brown spots, broken blood vessels, sun damage, and other blemishes. The targeted area(s) exfoliate, leaving you with smoother, younger-looking skin.
The Derm wants to help you to look and feel your best! Ask your dermatologist to find out which treatments and skin care products are most ideal for you.
Schedule your holiday prep appointment today
The Derm makes getting your skin holiday-ready quick and easy with little to no downtime. Ready to look fa-la-la-la fabulous? Schedule an appointment today at one of our three convenient locations in Glenview, Park Ridge, and Wilmette.
During your consultation, a board-certified dermatologist will examine your skin and create a customized treatment plan that fits your needs and budget. If healthier skin is at the top of your holiday wish list, count on the skin care experts at The Derm.
