The holiday season is full of cheer, good friends and good fun. From Thanksgiving through to the New Year, we celebrate life – often through feasts of delicious food and drink. We travel, we loose sleep, and we party like it’s the end of the year. However, while we ring in the New Year with a smile, our skin is taking a beating (and our skin care routine has been thrown out the window).
If you’re complexion is dull and loosing its glow – you are not alone. We’ve all been there, exhausted after the holidays and in need of some serious spa time. And like many of us, a full week at the spa is simply not an option. So we’ve put together an easy 5-step guide to post-holiday skin care, one that everyone can manage.
- CLEANSING
You’ve likely put your face on more times than you can count this season. From work parties, to family dinners and end of year celebrations, you’ve clogged your pores (more than normal). You want to begin your post-holiday skin care regime with an oil-based cleanser to remove that deep makeup residue, and you’ll want to double-cleanse for at least one week.
- EXFOLIATING
Once you’ve chosen a safe oil-based cleanser, it’s time to exfoliate. Erase Cosmetics Konjac Sponges are perfectly gentle and help scrub away dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling tighter and softer. The exfoliating sponges are eco-friendly, naturally help to balance your skin pH levels and are a much cleaner solution to washcloths. These little guys are sure to drastically enhance your post-holiday (and everyday) skin care practices.
- STEAMING
You don’t have to pay for a professional facial steam or sauna visit. You can easily steam your pores at home as part of your regular skin care routine. Simply bring a pot of water to a boil, remove from heat and drape a towel over your head. Lean forward over the water, keeping your face about 12 inches from the surface, for about 10 minutes. You can even add herbs like parsley, mint and chamomile to help draw out more toxins and detoxify your senses.
- MASKING
Our favorite post-holiday skin care routines include a homemade facemask. Cucumber and yogurt are a perfect mix for a dose of moisture. However, if you are not a fan of making your own, you’ll want to choose an oil-balancing clay mask or an ultra-hydrating skin mask. Both will be beneficial for tired and dry skin, drawing out excess oils without over-drying the skin.
- TONING
Last, but never least – toner. You may not always use a facial toner, but it can be extremely beneficial for any post-holiday skin care routine. Stay away from alcohol-based products, these are way too harsh on the skin and will likely cause more dryness. Choose products with ingredients like amino fruit acids or thermal spring water. These types of toners will soothe and repair skin while removing blemishes and redness.