5 reasons why your skin breaks out during the holidays

The holiday season is upon us, but that doesn’t mean the festivities have to sabotage your skincare goals.

Late-night celebrations, decadent treats and a to-do list a mile long might have you reaching for that extra glass of wine. Before you undo all your hard work, here are 5 reasons your skin breaks out over the holidays and what you can do about it.

Too Much Sugar

No brainer, right?

This time of year is filled with endless sweets and if you’re like me you probably can’t stop at just one. But sugar is a big no-no when it comes to your skin, especially if you are someone who suffers from acne and eczema.

Sugar is a huge contributing factor to inflammation in the body and with inflammation comes – you guessed it – acne! Steer clear of other high-glycemic foods such as white bread and pasta which also causes the body’s insulin levels to spike, further worsening inflammation.

The key is enjoying your favourite treats in moderation, choosing lower sugar options and focusing on lean proteins, healthy fats and complex carbs. Also, sugar feeds yeast and candida in the body which can contribute to more acne.

Stress

How can you help not being stressed over the holidays with everything there is to do?

Unfortunately, stress causes excess hormones to be released into the body which leads to more inflammation, making acne worse. Stress also triggers and inflames the sebaceous glands which pump out oil and again worsen acne. Basically, the more stressed you are, the higher your cortisol levels and the more oil your pores pumps out. None of which is beneficial for your skin!

Try keeping stress at bay but practicing meditation, yoga, journaling or taking some much needed time for yourself.

Alcohol’s Domino Effect

Alcohol messes with your hormones and you guessed it – hormones mess with your skin.

Alcohol also spikes your blood sugar, causing increased insulin levels and more inflammation. A chain reaction of sorts. Think of it as a domino effect on your skin. You have a few drinks, you likely make poor food choices and a good chance your sleep suffers too. Nobody wins in that situation! Additionally, alcohol dehydrates the body and we all know that a key part of healthy glowing skin is making sure you’re well hydrated.

When choosing alcoholic beverages, focus on lower sugar options such as light beer, wine or vodka and soda water. Also, make sure you’re alternating beverages with a large glass of water.

Not Enough Shut-Eye

It’s called beauty sleep for a reason!

Sleep not only helps boost your immune system and ensures you can fight off infection, but it does wonders for your skin. While we sleep our body goes into repair mode which helps heal the skin. Sleep also helps balance hormones, while lowering inflammation in the body.

Lack of sleep and excess stress is a vicious cycle you’ll want to avoid. Think of it this way – if you’re stressed you may not sleep well, which in turn leads to more stress and inflammation in the body. Poor sleep can also lead to skin issues such as psoriasis, eczema and premature ageing.

Make sleep a priority. Aim to get between 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

Lack of Exercise

Sweat it out girlfriend! Exercise is great for detoxifying the body, which is excellent for your skin. Not only that but exercise helps elevate your mood. Regular exercise is also a great stress reducer which in turn lowers our cortisol levels helping keep acne at bay.

The key is finding a workout you love – whether that’s yoga, running, swimming, cycling or circuit training. The options are endless but pick something you enjoy and do it often.

~Miranda Barrett