Naughty or Nice? Holiday Habits That Can Make or Break Your Glow

3 Key Takeaways

1. Holiday habits like lack of sleep, overindulgence, and heavy makeup can trigger dryness, inflammation, and premature aging.
2. Healthy routines (hydration, enough sleep, moderation, and consistent skincare) help maintain a glowing complexion throughout the festive season.
3. Non-invasive treatments such as hydrating facials, gentle peels, and microneedling can help reverse post-holiday skin damage and restore radiance.

With the festive season focusing on travel, indulgence, and celebration, it is a common issue for the skin to suffer or get neglected. From late night outs to sugary treats and environmental changes from travel, holiday habits can trigger or contribute to dryness, redness, aging, and exacerbated skin issues. 

Continue reading as our aesthetic clinic in Singapore lists down the naughty and nice holiday skin care habits that can make or break or glow. We also share a few tips and non-invasive aesthetic treatments that can help protect your skin while enjoying the holiday season.

Why the holidays wreak havoc on your skin

During the festive season, your skin deals with the hustle and bustle of the season, adding more stress. The effects of colder weather, poor sleep, overindulging, and heavy makeup can show up on your skin, resulting in: 

• Dehydration and dryness
• Inflammation
• Compromised skin barrier
• Dullness or tired-looking skin
• Skin flare-ups (acne, rosacea)

NAUGHTY HOLIDAY HABITS 

• Skipping sleep – The parties and celebrations can compromise sleep, disrupting your skin’s natural repair and regeneration process. While it may seem impossible not to give in to the holiday rush, don’t make it a habit to cut back on your sleep. Doing so can lead to eye bags, dark circles, more visible wrinkles, and a tired look.
• Over-indulging (too much sugar or alcohol) – While it is okay to enjoy the treats and drinks this season, be wary of overindulgence or overconsumption. Excessive sugar can lead to inflammation and break down collagen and elastin, causing acne and premature aging. Too much alcohol, on the other hand, dehydrates the skin and makes existing lines more prominent.
• Sleeping in heavy holiday makeup – While a night of doing so won’t damage your skin, doing this repeatedly can clog your pores, irritate skin, and cause premature aging. If you’re too tired to wash your face at night, use cleansing cloths or micellar water. But don’t make it a habit; you need to build a consistent routine to help repair your skin at night.
• Over-exfoliating to get that “holiday glow” – Although exfoliation can reveal a much healthier glow, overdoing it can lead to redness, dryness, and breakouts. It strips the skin of its natural oil, compromising your moisture barrier. Aggressive or frequent exfoliation won’t give a holiday glow, but instead a dull, tired appearance. 
• Traveling without adjusting your skincare – Air travel and environmental changes can strip moisture out of the skin. This can then lead to dehydration lines, flakiness, tightness, and oil imbalance. Make small, climate-specific tweaks, like using a rich moisturizer if you’re traveling to a place with a cold, dry climate. 

NICE HOLIDAY HABITS 

• Staying hydrated – Drinking lots of water not only helps your body function optimally, but also combats the effects of alcohol and dry air. It also supports skin health and boosts energy, allowing you to enjoy holiday activities without feeling fatigued.
• Getting lots of sleep (on most nights) – You don’t have to skip all the parties and gatherings to get lots of sleep. You can still attend them, but aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep most nights to allow your skin to undergo repair and regeneration. Supplement your sleep with hydrating or anti-aging serums.
• Indulging in moderation – This means enjoying festive treats and meals without overdoing it. Do so by practicing portion control, like using a smaller plate and filling half of it with nutritious options. Pay attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, and make sure to incorporate movement into your day.
• Prioritizing a consistent skincare routine – Don’t let the stress and rush of the holidays steal your glow. Maintain a glowing complexion by keeping a consistent routine that focuses on cleansing, hydration, sun protection, and gentle exfoliation (once or twice a week).
• Using a rich moisturizer in cold weather – When traveling to colder climates, dry skin is common as winter air pulls moisture from your skin. A richer moisturizer helps combat dryness and keeps your skin barrier strong. Pair it with a creamy cleanser and a hydrating serum, such as one with hyaluronic acid, for added moisture and protection.

Aesthetic treatments to help reverse holiday skin damage

Hydrating Clarifying Facial – Deeply cleanses, nourishes, and polishes the skin, reversing the effects of travel, late nights, or alcohol-heavy celebrations. It can also restore clarity and glow without downtime. 

Bio-remodeling injectable – Hydrates from within, addresses laxity, and boosts radiance for skin that feels plump and refreshed. It also stimulates collagen and elastin production to improve skin firmness, elasticity, and overall quality. 

Gentle chemical peel – A mild exfoliating chemical peel helps shed dull, damaged skin cells, and clear congestion caused by heavy party makeup. Choose a low-downtime peel that still stimulates new, healthy skin cell production.

Microneedling or RF microneedling – Helps boost collagen, improve texture and fine lines, and support clearer skin after holiday breakouts. It can also help reduce puffiness and redness from excess sugar and alcohol.

DiamondTome Microdermabrasion – A non-invasive exfoliation treatment that smooths rough texture, lifts dullness, and boosts overall radiance. It also enhances the absorption of rejuvenating serums, making it an ideal solution for anyone seeking refreshed, revitalized skin.

Keep your skin healthy without giving up the festivities

With a few nice list holiday skin care habits and some targeted post-holiday treatments, your complexion can stay glowing all season long. WhatsApp us today at +65 9780 2079 to learn more about our treatments or schedule a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors in Singapore.