Can you believe it's the end of the year already? I don't know about you, but the holidays are such a magical and busy time for me and my family! With festive parties, work functions, gift exchanges, and the end of the year 'I've reached my deductible' medical appointments, things can get pretty hectic. It's a time when healthy habits might take a back seat, but your skin and health don't have to pay the price! 

Here are my top tips to keep your skin and health habits on track during the holidays:

1)  Wash your face!

'Tis the season for parties, and let's face it (pun intended), we tend to wear more or heavier makeup this time of year. It is important to always wash your face at night before going to bed, especially if you have a lot of makeup on. Your face wash can be quite simple and just requires warm water, your fingers and a gentle cleanser!

*Pro party tip: If you are wearing heavy makeup, try a double cleanse with micellar water or an oil-based cleanser first, then follow up with your usual gentle cleanser.

2) Use heat protectant on your hair!

Since we tend to style our hair more often during the holidays, especially with added makeup, make it a rule to use a heat protectant spray before reaching for those hot tools. Better yet, consider embracing a natural look for some events instead of styling with heat every day. Avoid tight updos or braids to prevent hair loss—go for a looser style to keep your hair safe. 

Speaking of hair, be careful with fake eyelashes! While these can look beautiful, the more permanent ones can actually damage your underlying eyelashes. Temporary ones for a quick party can be okay every now and then, but longterm can damage your natural eyelashes.

*Pro party tip: Stick with a serum like a prostaglandin-type product, or alternative, to help your real eyelashes grow longer instead.

3) Hydration is key!

You might have heard me mention this before, and that's because it's important for our overall health, including our skin. Especially during the holidays when we might be enjoying saltier, processed foods and more alcohol, staying hydrated with lots of water is super important.

*Pro party tip: Drink a big glass of water after each alcoholic beverage to stay hydrated and help prevent over drinking. Sparkling water with a garnish in a nice glass will still make you feel like you’re celebrating. Cheers!  

4) Try to make healthy(er) food choices

Staying on a healthy diet during the holiday season is a challenge with the abundance of sugary, buttery and decadent food around. Try to sneak in fruits and veggies throughout your day and meal prep so you are not left staring at the fridge wondering what to prepare and cook when you are tired and hungry.

*Pro party tip: Have a healthy snack before attending a party or function. By being partially full, it will keep you from overeating on less healthy foods.

 5) Get your ZZZZZZZs

The holidays can be hectic with cooking and hosting parties, making it tough to get a good night's sleep. When we stay up late and push ourselves 24/7, our natural circadian rhythm can get out of whack and our bodies and brain can't recover properly. This makes us more likely to get sick or injured. Not to mention, our skin can end up looking tired, with noticeable under-eye circles and discoloration.

Pro party tip: It's ok to say no to parties that feel more like obligations! If you don't feel like you can skip entirely, stop by briefly, then make your exit before the night gets late.

6) Try to manage stress

The holidays and stress often go hand in hand. With so much on our plates and a jam-packed schedule, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Add in some family drama, and it's like watching a drama-filled holiday movie! But too much stress isn't good for us. It hikes up our cortisol levels, causing inflammation that can make skin issues like psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea worse. And as if that's not enough, cortisol also revs up oil production, which can make acne more of a hassle. Who needs more acne when stress already has you on edge? No, thank you!

Pro party tip: Block in time in your calendar to destress with activities that calm your mind and mood.

7)  Adjust your skin routine for colder weather.

For many, the holidays come during a time of year when the weather is cooler, if not downright frigid. Changing up your skin care routine to reflect this is important. Swap your lighter lotion for a thicker moisturizing cream. Maybe cut back a bit on how often you use retinol or exfoliate, too. Even though hot showers might feel amazing in the cold, they actually dry out your skin more. Try to stick to shorter, lukewarm showers during winter. Oh, and don't forget sunscreen just because it's winter! The sun's around every day, so keep using that SPF30+ sunscreen.

Pro party tip: After washing your face, put on moisturizer right away. It'll soak in better on damp skin.

Check out this week's podcast episode for my best advice on maintaining healthy skin and habits during the festive season. You wouldn’t want to miss this one!

A new podcast episode drops every Monday!