Sweaters & boots, pumpkin & spice, mistletoe & kisses. These are just a few of the tell-tale signs that the holidays are upon us. And while the holiday season can be a magical time, it can also be stressful. Especially this year, when loved ones might be far away and unable to travel. Regardless of whether you spend the holidays in person with family or on Facetime or Zoom with those you love, we’re here to help you make the season merry and bright – and that includes caring for your skin!
In winter, the dropping temperatures and dry air paired with higher stress levels don’t always ensure clear, healthy, blemish-free skin. In fact, you may find yourself breaking out with acne more during the holidays than you're used to. Whether this is in response to a lack of sleep, change in diet, or boost of cortisol, it can be easy to lose your skin's natural bounce and shine. To help you get back to healthy, beautiful skin no matterwhat season it is, the Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts put together this easy-to-follow holiday skincare guide. From cleansing treatments to soothing and restoring products, this list will fill you in on everything you need in your skin care kit to combat your holiday skin concerns before they even begin!
Why You Should Switch Up Your Skincare
First, it's important to understand why your skincare products should be rotated at all. Depending on where you live, the climate from season to season can change quite drastically. Long gone are the warm summer days spent in the sun, and instead, you (and your skin) are greeted each morning with brisk air and harsh winds - maybe even snow! No matter your usual skin type, this temperature change can lead to damaged anddry skin in winter, whereas summer weather is more likely to lead to excess sweat and buildup [2].
The same products used in the spring and summer to reduce clogged pores might be too light for the winter weather. With colder weather conditions, you'll want to reach for an extremely moisturizing product - such as a cream. Whether you live in a cold climate or in an area where the weather fluctuates quite often, you'll want to keep a mix of skincare products handy to suit the day ahead.
When it comes to selecting the right Moisturizer for dry, thirsty winter skin, we recommend our Goat Milk Daily Moisturizer. This product is gentle enough for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and works as a hydrating nighttime and daytime moisturizer.
Prepare Ahead of Time
Now, if you've already decided you want to rotate your skincare products seasonally, you may be wondering exactly when that rotation should happen. The best way to prevent healthy skin from suffering through the colder seasons is to plan ahead. Investing in products that you'd like to use ahead of time will ensure that they're readily available to you as soon as the weather changes. We'll dive into more specific products soon. However, one product is crucial no matter what season your skin is facing - sunscreen! Rain or shine, UV rays are always present and clouds may increase these rays' intensity. To protect your skin from sun damage year-round, invest in sunscreen like Kate Somerville Uncomplikated SPF Setting Spray.
Start With a Skincare Set
Experiencing holiday stress? Worried about faraway relatives or how to safely social distance while decking the halls? Chances are, your skin needs some much needed TLC this time of year. A skincare set may be the perfect way to round out your regimen, soothe stressed out skin, and reveal healthy-looking, beautiful, glowing holiday skin. For the perfect set to get started, try out the Kate Somerville Ageless Essentials Kit. This two-piece set includes Kate's Clinic Super Facial ExfoliKate® Intensive as well as her advanced wrinkle cream. Both of these products work to help smooth skin, improve pores, and enhance firmness and elasticity. The best part? Adding them to your skincare regimen only takes a few minutes weekly, which is perfect for your busy holiday schedule. Skincare sets also make great stocking stuffer ideas for women in your life.
Help Your Skin Repair Itself Quickly
If your regular moisturizer isn't cutting it in dryer, harsher winter months and your skin craves extra moisturization to help restore its natural glow, use Kate Somerville Dry Skin Saver. Fortified with a multi-functional lipid complex, this all-over body and face cream will work to replenish your dehydrated skin's lost moisture and create a complexion that glows into the new year.
Invest in a Quality Retinol Product
As Skin Health Experts, we’re big fans of retinol for one key reason. It works! And while we recommend using retinol in your skincare routine all year long, when it comes to the dry, cold winter months, you want to besure your retinol product does more than firm and smooth. It also needs to fortify. For the ideal retinol product to invest in this holiday season, start with Kate Somerville Retinol + Vitamin C Moisturizer. It keeps skin deeply hydrated while also firming, smoothing and brightening.
Remember, everyone's skin is incredibly unique. While we encourage you to use this list to upgrade your current holiday skincare routine for harsher weather, it's essential to choose products that work best for you and your skin type. Whether you decide to apply retinol weekly or moisturize a few times a day, your skincare routine is ultimately based on the needs of your skin, and each product in your skincare regimen should reflect that.
Want help with your skincare routine? Have specific skin concerns you don’t know how to treat on your own? Our Skin Health Experts are here to help. Visit us in our Los Angeles. And of course you can always shop our skin-restoring products online. We’d love to help you discover how healthy and beautiful your skin can look all year long!
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