The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year. From the stress of planning get-togethers or giving your house a holiday makeover and whipping up delicacies on the daily – skincare regimens often go neglected.
If you’re planning to surprise yourself or your loved ones with some much-needed self-care this holiday season, then skincare is a perfect choice. And we’ve got the best recommendations for you right here!
Hydration is key to supple and rejuvenated skin. Drinking plenty of water is non-negotiable if you want to have clear skin. But some external hydration goes a long way to give you the perfect glowing complexion.
Hydrating skincare products make the best holiday gifts as people rarely have the time to follow a seven-step regimen. Look for non-comedogenic hydrating serums or creams with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to heal, soothe, and repair the skin barrier.
A good body scrub helps remove dull-looking and dead skin, making it easier for other products like serums and moisturizers to penetrate deep into the skin.
If you’re shopping for someone with oily skin, scrubbing with salicylic acid will help. For dry or sensitive skin, go for scrubs with glycolic acid, as it is gentler on the skin. Coffee body scrubs, sea-salt body scrubs, and charcoal body scrubs are popular options.
Toners not only help lock moisture into your skin but also add some hydration to make your complexion look smooth and dewy. Plus, they feel super refreshing!
We love toners with ingredients like snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. But a simple rice water toner is just as effective and a good choice for beginners. Toners with ceramide are also great because they help repair the skin’s protective barrier.
Everyone needs a cleanser in their skincare routine, especially so during holidays! A good deep cleanser helps you get rid of dirt, dust, oil, makeup, and pollutants.
As with most skincare products, the simple approach works best for cleansers. Don’t complicate it with different actives. Pick something simple, like a hydrating oat cleanser. Avoid foaming cleansers unless you’re shopping for extremely oily skin because these tend to strip and dry out the skin. Gentle, non-foaming cleansers usually suit most skin types.
Chemical exfoliants are a life-saver if you don’t want to subject your face to harsh scrubs. They’re super gentle on the skin and penetrate deep to help you get rid of blocked pores, blackheads, and whiteheads. They also help with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and improve skin texture.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are some of the most common and popular ones. BHAs are best if you have oily and acne-prone skin, whereas AHAs are ideal for dry skin. But if you remember to hydrate well, low concentrations of both will suit you just as well.
Sunscreens are a must-have skincare item. If your loved one has been ignoring sunscreen, the holidays are a good time to get them into the habit of wearing this skincare essential. A good sunscreen not only protects against sun-induced discoloration and premature aging but also significantly reduces the risk of melanoma.
Broad spectrum sunscreens with PA++++ rating offer the best available protection. As far as the SPF is concerned, SPF 50 is recommended for maximum protection. But in any case, do not go below SPF 30.
Sheet masks are fantastic for some deep hydration (you can never be too hydrated!). This skincare trend, which originated in South Korea, is popular not just for its ability to give you glowing “glass skin” but also to make you feel great while you’re at it!
Most brands offer sheet masks in many varieties, including matcha, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and more. Avoid masks with parabens, alcohol, and fragrances, as they can irritate the skin.
There are many skincare kits available online for holiday gifting purposes. But curating your own adds that extra touch of thoughtfulness that the recipient will surely appreciate.
Don’t overwhelm them with too many products or products with multiple ingredients. Ask them to incorporate the products slowly and one at a time to prevent breakouts and skin irritation.
Pick out the simplest yet most effective of the lot and help them fall in love with themselves all over again with healthy and beautiful skin.
