9 Tips for Healthy Skin this Holiday Season (That Actually Work)
A lot of delicious food, alcohol, sun, and a little stress - yep, the silly season is fast approaching!
It is time to holiday-proof your skincare routine because I hate to break it to you, the night before that holiday party is too late.
IN THIS ARTICLE
01 Protect your skin
02 Remove your makeup
03 Consistency
04 You need to exfoliate
05 Combat skin damage
06 Drink for health 07 Longer lasting makeup
08 Stay cool this summer
09 Manage holiday stress
These are our tips and product recommendations for healthy, radiant skin - and we promise it's only a little bit from sweat!
01. Protect, protect, protect!
I can practically see you rolling your eyes, but hear me out! Sun protection may not sound fun or exciting, but neither does skin cancer and premature aging. Summer in Australia means high temperatures and extreme UV ratings. According to the Cancer Council, two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. The primary cause of skin cancer is exposure to UV radiation from the sun, and almost entirely preventable. Want more not-so-fun facts? A huge percentage of premature aging is caused by the sun, and I'm not just talking about getting burnt. Everyday incidental exposure is enough to accelerate uneven skin tone, fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. You should be protecting yourself from the sun every single day. Here are our top sun protection tips: ● Wear clothing that protects you from the sun ● Wear an SPF30+ (and reapply) on every part of the skin that is exposed ● Wear a sun-smart hat and sunglasses ● Seek shade where possible
Phew, now that we have that out of the way, to the fun part - product recommendations: FYI: We will never endorse something that we do not use and fully believe in! ** These are affiliate links & they cost nothing more for you, but they do help keep VAMS running and thriving.
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF50+ $42 - A bestseller for a reason!
Naked Sundays SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist from $29.95 - The mini mist goes everywhere with Ellie, it is a LIFE SAVER. It fits in your small party bags and gives you a dewy glow.
Naked Sundays Golden Glow Body Sunscreen SPF50 $44.95 - This is Ellie’s secret to glowy and protected skin.
Naked Sundays Glow + Go Lip Oil with SPF50+ $29.95 - Leaves your lips soft, hydrated, and protected, with no stickiness.
We are big Naked Sundays fans! Always use sunscreen as directed.
Solbari UPF50+ sun protection clothing, sun hats, swimwear, and accessories - for the sun-serious (and smart) person.
02. Remove your makeup
… Not to mention all of that sunscreen, sweat, dirt, and excess oil. I don’t care how many Aperol Spritz’s you have had at sunset drinks, repeat after me: “We will not go to bed with our makeup on”. Not only will you have clean skin, but you will be the freshest face at brunch tomorrow! We recommend the double cleansing method - these are our top picks for taking the day off:
Gunk Off Cleansing Balm $48 - Both Ellie and Tiana use this daily to melt away sunscreen and makeup.
La Clinica Gentle Milk Facial Cleanser $66 - Ellie’s second cleanse favourite for her dry skin. USE CODE: VAMS15 FOR 15% OFF
Mecca Max FOAM-O Gentle Gel Cleanser $15 - Tiana’s everyday favourite to balance her combination skin.
03. Stay consistent
Consistency is everything when it comes to getting results from your skincare. Think of it like this - If you are working with a personal trainer to get shredded abs, you wouldn’t expect results after one session. You might feel amazing, sure, but real results take time. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather do my skincare routine than an ab workout. The daily skincare non-negotiables are: 1. Cleansing 2. Moisturising 3. Wearing and re-applying sunscreen That’s it. There is always more you can do, but your skincare routine needs to work for you and fit your lifestyle, if it overwhelms you, you probably won’t stick to it. Ellie and Tiana’s favourite moisturisers are:
Scott + Sullivan The Moisturizer $90
Naturally Serious Skin Warrior Moisture Rescue Cream $59.29
La Clinica Deep Hydration Moisture Cream $66 USE CODE: VAMS15 FOR 15% OFF
04. Exfoliate - but don’t overdo it
Have you ever noticed your skin is oilier in summer? Here's why; with summer comes heat, heat stimulates the sebaceous glands to secrete more sebum, aka oil. Think of it like this; if you have ever had a jar of coconut oil in your pantry, you have probably noticed that in winter it solidifies, and in summer it is liquid. Feeling oilier in summer is completely normal. Your pores act like channels to deliver oil to the surface of your skin. This is imperative for skin health. However, when oil and dead skin cells get clogged in the pore, bacteria grow and feed off the oil, creating a pimple. Increased oil, plus a lot of sweat and bacteria means there is more chance of our pores becoming blocked. Regular exfoliation helps skin slough off these dead skin cells and can dissolve and prevent pore build-up. Every person will have different needs, but I recommend exfoliating two to three times a week. Less is more. Ellie and Tiana’s product recommendations:
La Clinica 3 Fruit Enzymes Exfoliating Scrub & Mask $72 - can be used as a mask or physical exfoliant, gently removing dead skin cells while soothing inflammation, and smelling divine. USE CODE: VAMS15 FOR 15% OFF
Oat Body Skincare Scrubs from $21.95 - extremely gentle and smell good enough to eat.
Boring Without You For Face Sake Mask $54 - two in one mask for combination, acne-prone skin.
Mecca Max CLEAN SWEEP Gentle Exfoliating & Brightening Toner $15 - beginner-friendly exfoliant for combination or oily skin.
05. Include antioxidants in your daily routine
Antioxidants are like little soldiers fighting to protect your skin from damage triggered by UV light, stress, smoking, alcohol, pollution, etc. They help to slow down the signs of aging. Absolute heroes in my opinion! I’d recommend adding an antioxidant serum to your daytime routine, however, if you want to stick to basics, you can choose an antioxidant-rich moisturiser. You might even find some sunscreens that contain them. Serums:
Go-To Much Brighter Skin $59
kit: No.3 Concentrate - Goji Berry $34
Moisturisers:
Aspect Phytostat 9 $93