The Beauty Dos & Don'ts You Need To Know For The Holidays

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Winter is here, which means it’s time to whip out the red lipstick, tie up your knee-highs, and sip hot cocoa by the bucket. And while we adore cozy nights and wrapping up warm, our skin and hair secretly suffer. From dryness to breakouts, there’s a whole load of ‘meh’ moments that accompany the festive season. But, we’re not letting those moments hold us back from our favorite time of the year, are we? We’ve compiled a list of the top ‘dos’ and absolute ‘do-nots’ to keep you looking and feeling hot in the cold.

DO: Layer Up On Moisturizer

Staying in? Moisturize. Going out? Moisturize. Ice on your windshield? Moisturize! The cold, dry air is unkind to the natural oils in our skin, so pull a Mrs. Doubtfire and go to town with the moisturizer when you’ve got a spare moment. This means you should be moisturizing every morning and night onto cleansed skin. You can even use a heavier cream at night.

Look for a moisturizer that has hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and emollients. Check out these protective moisturizers for glowing skin all winter long. Remember to moisturize your body, too; seriously, layer it EVERYWHERE.

DO: Cut Down on Sugar

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This may be easier said than done, especially during the holiday season. However, overdoing your sugar intake can lead to glycation, AKA where digested sugar latches onto the collagen in your skin and essentially eats away at it. So, wherever you can, try to minimize your sugar intake. We like to indulge in dark chocolate to satisfy our sweet tooth as it actually has beauty benefits!

DO: Have a Cold Shower – or a Cold Rinse at Least

Cold showers during the winter may have you thinking, “hell no!” but they’re actually super beneficial for both your skin and your hair. Hot water can dry out your hair and skin, whereas cold water tightens your follicles and pores. Plus, it boosts healthy blood flow and increases circulation, a common issue during the colder months. Can’t handle a cold shower? Finish off with a cold water rinse instead.

DO: Tweak your Beauty Routine for the Weather

Ask any derm, and they’ll tell you to always listen to your skin and adapt your daily routine accordingly. This is definitely the case in the winter as your skin is typically drier and it craves rich formulas. Not only do we recommend using a heavier cream at night, but layer an oil on top that’s packed with omegas and fatty acids to keep your skin plump and glowing. Our fave is the WISHFUL Get Even Rose Oil, $63, which features 15 skin-loving oils to brighten, soften, and restore even skin tone and texture.

DO: Invest in a Humidifier

Be your very own weather person this winter, and add some humidity into your home. Humidifiers make up for the lack of moisture in the air that can otherwise cause tightness, dryness, and even flaking. Have your humidifier on overnight while your skin repairs and regenerates, and you’ll wake up with hydrated, soft skin.

DO: Hit the Gym

While the idea of going for a run or hitting an early spin sesh may not sound appealing, exercise is so beneficial for our mind, body, and skin. Many of us are emotionally affected in the winter months by a condition called SAD (seasonal affective disorder.) This means that the dark, gloomy weather can make us feel depressed, lethargic, and even anxious. Going to the gym releases endorphins (happy hormones) that kick harmful chemicals to the curb. We like to schedule a workout with our gal pals – group workouts make it SO much more fun, plus you get to gossip once you’re done!

DON’T: Skip Sunscreen

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We can’t always see it, but the sun is always there, which means you need to protect your skin with SPF. Plus, when it snows, the sun can reflect off the snow and damage your skin. And before you ask, formulas that are enriched with SPF don’t cut it – for ample protection, wear a stand-alone SPF with 5-star UVA protection. Check out our fave sunscreens here.

DON’T: Panic over Pimples

We all want to look and feel our best during the holiday season, so don’t stress if you wake up with a pimple or two. First, remember it’s totally normal, especially after indulging in a big turkey dinner. Simply stick to your normal routine and try a quick remedy to calm and soothe your skin. Whatever you dom, leave it alone and don’t try to pop it. Check out our fave pimple treatments here.

DON’T: Lick your Lips

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If your lips are cracked and dry, whatever you do, don’t lick your lips. Our saliva contains digestive enzymes that break down the skin on your lips (ew) and leave them feeling dry, as well as exposed to the elements. Get yourself a new bestie in the form of a legendary lip balm (like these), and unless you’ve come face-to-face with a mountain of stuffing, don’t lick your lips!

DON’T: Over-Exfoliate

Somewhere between a do and a don’t lies the art of exfoliation. It’s important to exfoliate during the winter months as our skin tends to flake, but over-exfoliating can do damage. Turn to chemical exfoliants as harsh scrubs can lead to over-exfoliation. Our go-to is the WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub, $39, which features AHAs, BHAs, and fruit enzymes to gently buff away dead skin, smoothing uneven texture and leaving your skin looking glowy AF while still being gentle on the skin.

Let us know your winter beauty hacks in the comments below.