It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with twinkling lights, countless gingerbread lattes, a chill in the air, and cozy evenings in front of the TV. If only it were that simple: Christmas, while wonderful, can also bring a lot of stress and chaos. That’s why I’ve put together some simple ways to help you de-stress once you’ve completed your holiday list and can wear a paper crown with a sign of calm!
Take a Bath
Now I’m not referring to just any old bathtub, but the Procoal Moisture Locking Bathtub! The Skin Defense Balm can be used in a way that you’ve never used it before. That’s because the balm is enriched with a variety of natural oils and ingredients designed to help dry skin and even relieve eczema flare-ups.
It’s pretty self-explanatory, you just need to lubricate your skin after a bath to keep it moisturized and comfortable all day long. But we have another trick for this product, and that’s using it in the bathroom. Here’s the recipe for the Procoal Moisture Castle Bath!
Add a teaspoon of balm under warm water
Stir the water well and you will see a layer of flakes of oil on the surface of the water
After bathing, some flakes of oil will stick to your body
Work these flakes in circular motions until they melt into the skin
Wash and relax as usual
When you stand up, you may notice that there are remaining flakes sticking to your body. Apply it to your skin as before, no need to rinse
Pat your skin dry
Emerge from the shower like a radiant goddess
All kidding aside, you will find that by melting the balm flakes into the skin, it locks moisture into the skin, leaving your skin super soft and glowing! It is best to pat your skin dry with a soft towel to avoid rubbing off the moisturizing balm layer. Dryness or discomfort will no longer be an issue for the rest of the day.
You can also add Epsom salts and a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to add a luxurious touch to the ultimate pampering bath!
Don’t forget your feet!
We all become obsessed with the appearance of our feet once the temperatures start to rise, but there’s no better time than now to take a minute to look after our tired toes – think of all the miles you’ve logged over the last few years and all the shopping that would take days!
Okay, it’s time to get your feet up, but first, with a peel-off foot mask. Allow the powerful exfoliating mixture to slough off dead skin cells for 60 to 90 minutes (just enough time to watch a lot of Home Alone!). You’ll notice your feet start to peel after a week of using the mask. You can, of course, speed up the process by soaking your feet in warm water. Be careful not to pick at your feet, as this could further damage the skin, and don’t apply the mask after a celebratory pedicure!
After two weeks, you’ll have a brand new pair of feet! Admittedly, they don’t look too great during the peeling phase – but that’s what Christmas stockings are for!
Stay hydrated
Wind, rain, central heating – if your skin wasn’t dry before, it will be at this time of year. I’ve already talked about the benefits of drinking enough water, but there’s only so much you can do to help combat such skin-damaging conditions, especially after a few too many drinks at Christmas parties!
Then the Marine Hydrating Mask is for you. Suitable for all skin types, this energizing blend of active ingredients nourishes and rebalances your complexion without leaving your face feeling taut and perfect.
Dehydrated skin can make you think you’re seeing the first signs of aging, when in reality it’s just thirsty and you need to give your skin some moisture to rejuvenate it. Using a mask is the easiest way to hydrate, rejuvenate and plump your skin.
For extra hydration, you can pop the mask in the fridge and apply it in the morning. Not only will this smooth out wrinkles caused by dryness, it will also remove puffiness around the eyes, creating the perfect base for your Christmas makeup.
If you find that redness and blemishes are more of a concern for you, replace the sheet mask with Instaclear Control. This cleansing mask is proven to soothe impurity-prone skin and provide it with nourishment and a balanced water-oil balance.
Start scrubbing!
The best accessory to a sparkly sequined party dress is an all-over golden brown! Personally, I don’t want to advocate using a sunbed to get a sun-kissed tan, and you may not be able to catch a flight to somewhere sunny, but you’re better off with a bottle. But there’s always the risk of streaks, and that’s when a charcoal face scrub becomes your tanning friend!
The day before you plan to tan, apply the scrub to notoriously hard-to-tan areas like your knees, elbows, wrists, and ankles! Self-tan tends to settle in these areas and turn a different color to the rest of your skin, especially if you haven’t taken the time to prep your skin beforehand. By exfoliating the skin in these areas, you remove all the debris and dead skin cells. Remember to moisturize the area after exfoliating to ensure an even home tan. After all, nothing boosts your mood more than a good tan during the colder months!
I know some of these tips may seem a little tedious to some, but it’s truly amazing how much time you can spend taking care of yourself through self-care. Feeling tired and stressed never makes you look tired and stressed. Relaxing and pampering yourself can lift your mood and hit the reset button. With this lighthearted, optimistic attitude, you’ll be surprised how much more you’ll enjoy your family time, even if someone is cheating at Monopoly!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
