How to Get Back Your Pre-Holiday Glow

When the holiday hoopla is over, it can be tough to jump back into your daily routine, let alone take proper care of your skin. We turned to New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD, for the scoop on why your skin might be less-than-glowing at this time of year, and more importantly, what you can do to fix it.

Camouflage Dark Circles
During the holiday rush, we tend to lose out on sleep, and it shows—one of the telltale signs is dark under-eye circles. “To help combat them, use an eye cream that contains retinol, caffeine and niacinamide, as well as tea extracts,” says Dr. Day. A good one to try is NIA24 Eye Repair Complex, which packs a powerful ingredient base that illuminates skin and helps correct signs of aging, without causing irritation.

Say Good-Bye to Dullness
Another result of not getting enough sleep is dull skin. Brighten up with an at-home exfoliating system like Olay ProX Microdermabrasion Plus Advanced Cleansing System—use it twice a week to remove dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. Plus, in addition to making your skin appear more evenly toned, it will also leave it feeling baby soft.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
“Rushing from party to party can expose your skin to the elements more than usual, resulting in dry, and sometimes even cracked, skin,” says Dr. Day. “Drink plenty of water to help hydrate from the inside out.”

Look for a moisturizer with shea butter, hyaluronic acid and lactic acid, such as Perricone MD Hyalo Plasma, which deeply hydrates skin for a plumper, more youthful radiance.  (Pro Tip: Dr. Day says to apply it right after your bath or shower when your skin is still damp.)

Banish Breakouts
According to Dr. Day, overindulging in the holiday milk and cookies can actually cause your skin to breakout. “The only relatively clear scientific link between food and acne is with dairy. Add in the stress of the holidays and you have the perfect storm for a zit.”

Try using a mask or spot treatment (we like GlamGlow SuperMud Clearing Treatment) with powerful bacteria-fighting ingredients like alphahydroxy acids that work to de-clog pores and minimize breakouts.