“The silly season is coming, get ready!”
Sound familiar?
And in the blink of an eye, December is here, and along with it, that hot Aussie summer.
If you’ve got a growing number of events piling up in your diary, but you want to keep your healthy, glowing skin (minus the sweaty shine and random breakouts), it’s time to get lockdown your skincare routine.
As you are probably aware, preparation is key.
Putting in the groundwork ahead of time (not the night before, sorry) is guaranteed to save you a ton of stress (and time!) in the weeks to come, and reward you with a fresh and blooming complexion that will be the envy wherever you go, no matter how cold and dry the weather has turned.
Now is certainly not the time to add another 10 steps to your at-home skincare routine. Not only are you too busy to remember which serum to apply in what order – but trying a random new product close to a special event can be risky. Unexpected breakouts? No thanks.
If you haven’t already, we recommend sticking to a simple three-step daily routine specific to your skintype - cleanser, hydrator and serum - with sun protection to finish off. Keeping your skincare simple and consistent is the best way to ensure that you maintain your healthy glow all season long.
Late nights and extra stress can take a toll on your skin, leaving it dull and worn.
How to combat this?
In addition to a daily simple skincare routine, we highly recommend keeping up regular exfoliation twice a week in the lead up to the holiday season and all through the hot weather. As the weather warms up and your pores sweat more and produce more sebum, this will push any hiding pimples and blocked pores to the surface, so exfoliation is key for nipping these in the bud. We love to use the Bright Skin Polish Powder, which combines the power of natural and organic exfoliants to resurface your face and leave your skin feeling brand new.
The benefits of this include:
You may not want to admit it, but for many of us, alcohol consumption is bound to increase around this time of year. With all the Christmas parties, family catch ups, and extra stress in general, you may find yourself drinking more alcohol than usual. Plus, the hot weather means you will dehydrate even quicker!
And unfortunately, alcohol consumption, among other things, leads to a dehydrated dermal layer!
How to keep your skin hydrated?
You have no doubt heard this one before, but it is probably more likely to happen around this time of year as you may be coming home late, desperate for bed after a big Christmas party.
Our answer? Use an oil cleanser that doubles as a makeup remover. In less than 30 seconds, your skin will be makeup-free and cleansed, without feeling stripped of moisture. We love to use either Mint, as part of the Supercharged Trio for oily skin, or Next Level, as part of our Nourishing Trio for dry skin.
Give your skin the nutrients it needs with a weekly mask, such as Unmask, our Superfoods Mask (part of the Nourishing range).
This will dramatically improve the overall tone & texture of the skin and help to firm & plump the sub-dermal layer and brings out a rich, healthy glow.
When removed, this mask will very gently exfoliate and resurfaces the skin to decrease the visibility of age spots and provide a more even complexion.
Levels of UVB and UVA are at their highest during the summer months. So make sure you apply a layer of sunscreen that will protect your skin from both spectrums We recommend doing this after you have applied your serum and allowed it to absorb. Then you’re ready for the day!
A good facial mist can refresh your complexion without requiring you to wash your face before the day is through. Rather than wiping off drops of sweat with dirty hands, try a facial mist with deep hydrating properties and a good dose of Vitamin C, like our Hydro Essence.
This is a tough one around this time of year, we know!
But did you know, stress increases cortisol levels, causes acne breakouts, and accelerates aging.
High cortisol levels are associated with an increased risk of bacteria infections, eczema, inflammation and skin disorders. You can never totally eliminate stress from your life but there are ways to minimise its impact.
Meditation, deep breathing, yoga and regular exercise can help reduce stress and make you look younger.
How are you planning on protecting your skin this holiday season?
Allow yourself to indulge (what is the holiday season without all the delicious food!), but aim to keep your plate as colourful as possible with lots of veggies and fruit - Check out our blog for 12 food tips for healthy skin to get some ideas!
If you enjoy a drink or two, chances are you are not going to give it up altogether. And we are not going to suggest this!
Here are our tips to reduce these negative impacts on your skin (and the rest of your body).
Intersperse your beverages with water. For every alcoholic drink you consume, aim to drink a glass of water. This will help to slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream, help your kidneys to flush out toxins produced by alcohol, and keep you more hydrated (this will help with any hangover, too.)
Eat a meal prior to drinking. This will help to deter the side effects since some of the alcohol will pass instead through the gastrointestinal system along with the food, so that the two are metabolized in tandem (and thus, side effects aren’t as potent).
Choose your beverages carefully. From the alcohol menu, beer may be the most offensive to the skin. It has more additives, such as salts and sugars, which will add more stress on the liver to metabolize, as well as be overly dehydrating. Similarly, dark liquors have more additives than clear ones. The least harmful to you (but by no means good!) is probably red wine. This is because red wines contain resveratrol, which acts as an antioxidant for the tissues and skin, and helps rid the body of harmful free radicals.
You might experience your food more fully if you eat mindfully. Slow down and try to concentrate on the flavor, aroma, and textures of the meal while you consume. You can also enjoy their company and the present moment if you have your holiday meal with those you love.
Even when you take your time and put mindfulness first when eating, it takes some time for your brain to register that you are full. To obtain a better understanding of what your body needs, try to wait a short while between helpings. How hungry (or full!) you are can be determined after just 10 minutes. Pay attention to the indications that your body will naturally send.
Bring or make wholesome dishes to share as an easy method to control your eating habits. Foods that are high in volume and high in nutrients can keep you feeling full while supplying the vitamins and minerals your body craves.
For instance, a meal over a vacation is a terrific opportunity to increase the variety of veggies you serve. The landscape of a holiday dinner also naturally accommodates whole grains. Consider adding whole-grain rice and bread to the menu, or start the day with a healthy serving of whole-grain oatmeal.
Include physical activity in your everyday routine. While on vacation, you may easily fit in activities like swimming, dancing, and strolling (to the stores, the beach, etc.). Even a few bicep curls with the grocery bags can be effective.
Most importantly, unwind and enjoy yourself. Enjoy your time with friends and family, recover for the New Year, and try not to put too much pressure on yourself. If you make a mistake, pick up your healthy eating habits again at the very next meal.
We have organized something a little special for you this festive season.
Usually, Black Friday would kick off our silly season and continue right through to Christmas and New Years Eve, but this year, we are getting the party started a little earlier - just for you!
A Top-Up Event just before Christmas? Absolutely! We know that getting through the silly season can be taxing at the best of times, let alone without your skin goodies all stocked up!
Let’s see the lineup of bestsellers for this Top-Up Event launching Saturday 11 December (we swear they just keep getting bigger and better every time).