THE festive season is a time of indulgence – from mince pies and festive cocktails to endless turkey sandwiches.
While these treats bring joy, they can take a toll on your skin, leaving it looking tired, dull, and acne-prone.
Sign up for the Feed your Family for Less newsletter
Thank you!
Dr. Vanita Rattan on how to keep your skin glowing over the holidays
Dermatologists and skincare experts are calling this phenomenon “Christmas Face.”
Global skin doctor and founder of skincare line Dr. Vanita Rattan explains that late nights, overindulgence in alcohol and sugary foods, and disrupted routines are the main culprits behind the seasonal skin slump.
She shares six key habits to watch out for and how to keep your skin glowing throughout the holidays.
1. Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the fastest ways to dehydrate your skin because it’s a diuretic, increasing urine production and causing the body to lose more fluids than it takes in.
SEASON’S EATINGS
I lose 1st to gorge on 14k calories at Xmas… 5 tips that save my waistline
HAIR-RIFIC
I showed off my hair growth journey but got trolled for the before pic
As a diuretic, it increases fluid loss, leaving skin dry, flaky, and rough.
Fine lines and wrinkles can also appear more pronounced.
Alcohol depletes essential nutrients needed for skin repair, slowing down cell regeneration.
To combat this, Dr Rattan recommends using a ceramide- and peptide-rich moisturiser, such as a CeraPep cream, to boost hydration, improve texture, and strengthen the skin barrier.
2. Sugary treats
Christmas indulgences like roast dinners and sweet treats are high in saturated fats, which can disrupt gut bacteria and trigger inflammation.
This often leads to excess sebum production, clogged pores, and acne breakouts.
According to Dr. Rattan, cleansing twice daily with a blemish-controlling cleanser and following with a PM Gel Moisturizer containing glycerin to hydrate, niacinamide to control sebum, and salicylic acid to unclog pores can help.
Dr Rattan said: “It’s important to remember that achieving clearer skin isn’t just about avoiding certain foods.
“It’s about maintaining a solid skincare routine to combat inflammation which can lead to acne.”
3. Late nights
Sleep is crucial for skin repair. During rest, skin regenerates and recovers, helping your complexion look refreshed.
Lack of sleep leaves skin stressed, inflamed, and prone to breakouts.
Late nights and binge-drinking not only leave you feeling tired and hungover, but also make your skin look tired.
Prioritise getting 8-9 hours of sleep during the festive season
to keep your skin radiant and healthy.
4. Sleeping in makeup
It may be tempting to skip your nighttime routine after a long night out, but leaving makeup on can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, preventing hydration and causing dryness and irritation.
Eye makeup can clog follicles, increasing the risk of infection.
Dr. Rattan recommends using a non-comedogenic, oil-melting cleanser to remove makeup gently without irritating the skin.
5. Dehydration
Hydration starts from within, and it’s easy to forget to drink enough water amid festive celebrations.
Proper hydration keeps skin plump and glowing.
According to Dr. Rattan, including water-rich snacks such as cucumbers, watermelon, and celery in your Christmas menu helps, as does sparkling water or herbal teas as an enjoyable alternative to sugary drinks.
6. Winter weather
Cold winter temperatures, combined with dry indoor heating, can strip the skin of natural oils, causing dryness, flakiness, and sensitivity.
Dr. Rattan advises protecting your skin with warm clothing like scarves, applying a barrier cream to lock in moisture, and using broad-spectrum SPF50++++ year-round to prevent UV-related damage.
With these six expert tips, it’s possible to keep your skin healthy and radiant – even through the indulgences and celebrations of the festive season.
Alcohol is one of the fastest ways to dehydrate your skin
Christmas indulgences like sweet treats are high in saturated fats, which can disrupt gut bacteria and trigger inflammation
Cold winter temperatures, combined with dry indoor heating, can strip the skin of natural oils, causing dryness, flakiness, and sensitivity