Avoid holiday havoc...

The holidays often bring freezing temperatures, limited sleep, sugary treats and cocktails. This combination can play havoc on your skin.

“Acne, cold sores, eczema and dry, puffy skin are common this time of year due to the weather and excessive celebrating during the holidays.

Here's a few tips to prevent the holidays from wreaking havoc on your skin.
 

Acne. Keeping your face blemish-free for the holidays is important to everyone... While indulging in a sweet dessert or enjoying a cocktail is OK, too much of a "good thing" is usually never a good thing... Make sure that you drink plenty of water, be aware of what you eat and get enough sleep. These steps, under normal circumstances, are simple for most but all we can do is try our best during the holidays for the sake of our skin (and our sanity). If a pimple does break out, care for it with a salicylic spot treatment. Avoid picking it to minimize the risk of scarring. 

Cold sores. Extreme changes in temperature, a busy schedule, stress and too little sleep can trigger a cold sore. Most of the time the virus that causes cold sores lies dormant in facial nerves for those who have been exposed to it. When you begin to feel the stress of the holidays, the virus goes into overdrive. Fortunately now there are over-the-counter medications If you don’t have time to go to a dermatologist and just treating it gently, cleaning it with a mild cleanser and applying a bit of fragrance-free moisturizer will help calm it.

Scaly, dry, puffy skin. Pampering your skin when winter is here is a great start to prevent dry, puffy skin. Use mild, fragrance-free cleansers to wash your face followed by a fragrance-free moisturizer to keep dryness away. If your holiday diet has been too heavy on salt or cocktails, your skin can look bloated and tired. Hydration and moderation are essential to avoiding puffiness. Again, water is key. I also like coconut oil for the face and body in this type of weather.

Eczema. If despite your best efforts you develop patches of eczema (dry, scaly skin), an over-the-counter oral antihistamine or hydrocortisone can often calm eczema. I really like moisturizers with oatmeal (such as Eurcerin Calming Creme) as it seems to keep my skin eczema free. If your skin doesn’t respond to any of these treatments, a dermatologist can help. Taking these simple steps can keep your skin looking its holiday best. Enjoy!