Holiday Stress & It's Effect On The Skin
Cue the holiday music and twinkling lights, we are so ready for cozy socks and apple cider.
After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year! At Spa Kingston, we absolutely adore the holidays, but what we DON’T adore is the unwanted stress that comes every year around this time.
It’s bound to happen and we know it’s coming, yet every year we still find our shoulders tightening and skin reacting to the holiday fever in a way that isn’t so merry and bright.
So what’s a Royal to do?
In honor of the holidays, we found it a necessity to break down the holiday stress and opt for a more inviting environment for our favorite organ of all – the skin!
Whether you’re out at the mall trying to snag the closest spot in the parking garage or finalizing the end of the year reports, the stress is predictable, but what toll is it taking on your skin?
Let’s start with SLEEP.
Ah, yes. We love it so dearly, but during this time of year, it’s not uncommon to lose track of sleep or stay up at night tossing and turning about what to get your new beau.
Unfortunately, when you don’t get enough beauty sleep, this can cause fluid to pool below your lower eyelid area which gives you that puffy look none of us E-V-E-R want to see in the morning.
So what can you do?
Well, besides getting at least eight hours of sleep, we employ the help of Epicuren’s Eye Alive serum. Packed with caffeine and other hydrating helpers, we love this serum because it instantly energizes and empowers the eye area to take on new life.
Hello, zits!
It’s bad enough that your eyes are looking a little puffy, but a zit, too? And, right before the holiday party? Uh, no thank you!
Stress causes skin issues to flare up regardless of what you’re prone to, whether it’s acne, psoriasis, or eczema.
Stress releases cortisol, which throws off other hormones in our body and can cause breakouts on your face. To make matters worse, stress can also disrupt the balance between good and bad bacteria in the gut which can then show up on your skin in the form of unwanted acne.
While you may not be able to avoid stress, you can fight stress-related acne by following a few steps.
Always make sure to drink a ton of water – especially during these winter months when the air is dry – and eat a well-balanced diet avoiding dairy and salty junk foods. It’s easy to grab a quick bite when you’re in a time crunch, but your skin will thank you if you keep it all natural and nourishing.
To keep your gut in check, take probiotics like our Source Natural PB 8 which supports digestive health. Finally, get facials or chemical peels regularly to remove dead skin and unclog your pores keeping your skin fresh and dewy.
Inflammation, go away!
Have you ever noticed when you’re stressed you take short and shallow breaths? Yep, we’re guilty of this, too. The lack of oxygen can actually cause your face to flush causing redness and inflammation – we’ll pass!
When you find yourself lost in stress and notice your breath start to sharpen, it’s time to take a step back. Go for a walk, sit down and meditate, or start to lengthen your inhales and exhales until you balance your nervous system back to regular.
Short breaths will cause your parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system to move all out of whack, typically engaging your fight or flight reflex. No one wants that.
To reduce redness and inflammation, start with an ice cube in the morning at night – this will also reduce acne! Next, grab Face Reality’s Mandelic serum after you wash and tone for the ultimate inflammation fighting routine.
We’ve got you covered.
Stress and all of its side effects aren’t fun – we’ll be the first to admit that, but know that the team here at Spa Kingston has you covered from A-to-Z. Whether you’re dealing with dark under eye circles or acne and inflammation, our talented estheticians will work with you one-on-one to provide the ultimate stress-fighting care to ensure you are in tip-top shape to drink champagne and ring in 2018 with your best-looking skin.
For more information on our facial services and acne clinic, contact us here.