As a beauty buff, you take care of your skin by using gentle skincare products and being careful to avoid those nasty drying ingredients, but somehow, this time of year seems to find its way into our beauty routine only to botch it. The holidays can get stressful, and managing stress is a huge part of maintaining great skin, but else can we do? How can we ensure a glowing complexion? Here are the worst (but fixable!) culprits that are damaging our sensitive skin.
Winter Weather
Now that winter is upon us, it’s especially important to take care of our changing skin. The cold air outside can be dehydrating, but then the quick switch into the heated indoors isn’t doing us any favors either. This can cause an increase in sensitivity and tightness. A humidifier is an excellent way to combat the effects of the cold dry air, and going back and forth from outdoor to indoor temperatures.
Sleep
Get enough of it! Without it, the body creates more cortisol (a.k.a. the stress hormone) which does damage by inciting inflammation. Inflammation leads to an increase in acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Your body is also able to recover moisture more effectively during sleep cycles, so not getting enough can rob your body of regaining the moisture it needs for balanced skin. Getting enough sleep is easier said than done, but this can be the crucial difference between clear skin and irritated skin.
Hot Showers
As delicious as a long, hot shower may sound, avoid ’em. Hot water is extremely drying to the skin (and hair) and the shorter exposure, the better. The chlorine and other components of tap water can aggravate and sensitize the skin as well.
Processed Carbs
When you’re in a rush in the morning, baked goods can save the day, but stay away! It’s a comfort now, that might make your skin pay later. Not only does the high sugar content increase inflammation, which as we learned can worsen nearly all unwanted skin problems including rosacea, but the hidden ingredients that elongate the products’ shelf-life can also cause skin irritation and acne.
Metals and Leather
The most common adverse reaction to metal and leather adornments is contact dermatitis. This can be caused by substances used to make a jewelry item or leather good. Nickel is the most common culprit in jewelry, and the chemicals used to tan leather don’t play nice with sensitive skin either. Once the item is removed, the sensitivity will disappear, but it’s worth looking into before the onset of a rash or irritation.
