Holiday Skin Care Tips + an Easy Routine for Glowing Skin

The holidays provide wonderful opportunities to spend time with family and friends, indulge in delicious food and drinks, and go to fancy events. Sadly, many of the things we enjoy about the hectic holiday season can also take a toll on our skin.

But here’s the good news! Taking the proper steps with your holiday skincare routine and daily habits can help you maintain your glow and prevent breakouts, while still enjoying everything the season has to offer.

Here are our top holiday skin care tips plus an easy holiday skin care routine to get your skin glowing throughout this festive season and keep it that way all year long. 

4 Essential Holiday Skin Care Tips to Maintain Your Glow

Between travel, celebrations, and hectic schedules, the holidays are the season for stressed out skin. The following tips are designed to minimize the effects of that stress on your skin while helping you maintain your glow and enjoy everything the season has to offer.

Prioritize Sleep and Combat Stress

With all the holiday preparations and evenings out, getting a good night’s sleep during the holiday season can be quite a challenge. But prioritizing sleep and keeping your stress level as low as possible is key for healthy-looking skin. Here’s why.

When our bodies are asleep, the lymphatic system works to flush out toxins. Our brains also produce body-repairing hormones, such as growth hormones, which are required for cellular regeneration and repairing tissues.

In addition, lack of sleep and chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone that can take a major toll on your skin. The skin is the body’s largest organ and it’s often the first place to show signs of stress and sleep deprivation, including dark circles and breakouts. The body needs at least 7 - 8 hours of sleep for optimal function and repair. 

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, consider creating a bedtime self-care routine to relax your body and mind, get you ready for sleep, and lower your stress levels. Meditation, yoga, a relaxing bath, and performing your nighttime skincare routine are all healthy ways to de-stress at the end of a hectic day.

Keep Your Sweet Tooth In Check

While there’s no denying that delicious treats go hand in hand with the holidays, they can also wreak havoc on your skin. Too much sugar leads to a process called glycation, which happens when sugar binds to proteins and lipids in the body.

Glycation can prevent your cells from functioning properly, contributing to increased free radical damage. As a result, the functions that keep your complexion looking youthful and glowing, namely collagen and elastin production, are compromised. Your skin will also be more vulnerable to environmental stressors, like sun and pollution.

If you struggle to keep your sweet tooth in check during the holiday season, opt for healthier ways to satisfy your cravings. For example, berries and other fruits are sweet, yet healthy options that are full of antioxidants to combat free radical damage and protect the skin from premature aging.

Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Of course, you can enjoy a holiday cocktail or glass of wine occasionally, but keep in mind that the effects of overindulging in alcohol on the skin can be substantial. 

Alcohol stimulates the release of histamine and the accumulation of acetaldehyde (the substance that alcohol breaks down into) in the body. This triggers the production of reactive free radicals, which damage the skin’s DNA and contribute to the breakdown of collagen, as well as potential inflammation and hyperpigmentation. 

If you’re looking for a festive but skin-friendly option, consider a wine spritzer made with sparkling water and just a splash of red wine. Red wine is full of antioxidants, which are fantastic for the skin. Hydration is also crucial for healthy skin, so keep the water flowing to help overcome the effects of a few extra cocktails and lost sleep.

Make Time to Remove Your Makeup Before Bed

Feel free to up our makeup game for holiday parties, just be sure to remove it before bed. Leaving makeup on the skin overnight can clog your pores and create a breeding ground for bacteria, two major contributors to breakouts and uneven skin texture.

Doing a double cleanse before bed is the best way to ensure that your skin is makeup free, but sometimes you’re just too tired. Keep a bottle of micellar water and some cotton rounds next to your bed for those nights when you just can’t be bothered to stand at the bathroom sink.

An Easy Holiday Skin Care Routine for Glowing Skin

As much as the holiday season is about giving and spending time with loved ones, we often get caught up in the details: hosting the perfect gathering, serving the perfect holiday meal, giving the perfect gift…the list goes on and on.

This time of added stress combined with the colder, drier air takes a toll on our hair and skin. With all of that in mind, here is an easy holiday skin care routine to get you through the business with your radiance and glow intact.

Step 1: Cleanse Thoroughly.

Start off your morning and evening holiday skin care routine on a good note by thoroughly cleansing your skin. It might seem minor, but this step is essential, not only for keeping your skin breakout free but also for prepping the skin before applying makeup. At night, we recommend taking the extra time to do a double cleanse to thoroughly remove makeup.  

Step 2: Exfoliate Often.

Cold, dry air leads to flaky, dry skin that can build up on the skin’s surface, causing dullness and uneven skin tone and texture. 

All skin types can benefit from exfoliating once or twice a week to polish away dead skin cells to refresh and revive your glow. It will also clear the way for other skin care products to penetrate more effectively. Incorporating honey into your holiday skin care routine provides gentle exfoliation and multiple anti-aging benefits.

Step 3: Give Your Skin Some Love.

Moisturize, hydrate, and protect your skin in one easy step with our Honey Infused Face Oil. This concentrated, antioxidant-rich formula absorbs quickly into the skin and contains 95.7% cold-pressed botanical oils, along with Mirsalehi honey to rejuvenate and nourish the skin.

Honey Infused Face Oil works to promote a clearer complexion while addressing fine lines and preventing moisture loss. It also leaves behind a brighter, more radiant complexion when used on its own or under makeup. Or, mix a few drops into your favorite night cream or face mask for added benefits.

Step 4: Don’t Forget About Those Lips

The holiday season can often mean spending time outdoors in the cold air, which can cause dry, chapped lips. Keep them hydrated with our Honey Infused Lip Oil. It’s formulated with skin-loving botanical oils and the healing powers of Mirsalehi honey. 

Apply it as needed throughout the day for a beautiful sheen or wear it as an overnight lip mask to intensify the effects.

Step 5: Body Care

Your body needs as much moisture and care as the skin on your face and lips. Our Honey Infused Body Oil is the perfect product to keep your skin supple, hydrated and ultra-soft throughout the winter months. Simply apply to damp skin after showering. Warm a few drops in your palms before applying all over the body and massage in for deep hydration.

Final Tip

Looking to check a few things off your holiday shopping list? Gisou has the perfect gift for every beauty lover on your list! Visit our holiday gift guide to find the perfect gift without the hassle… and be sure to grab a little something for yourself, too!