As you’re all probably well aware, the silly season has begun! And, the festive season usually means attending more social events than usual. Although this can be super fun, it can also wreak havoc on your skin. While you may not be able to escape the tiredness, it doesn’t have to show on the outside! There are some steps you can take to ensure your skin is looking on point! To help, we’ve put together our top 8 skincare tips for the holiday season. So, read on if you want to look your best for all of your upcoming social engagements!
1. Always apply your SPF
It doesn’t matter who you are, what age you are or what skin type you have - if you’re not applying SPF daily, no amount of skincare in the world will be able to undo the damage of that big ol’ orb in the sky.
It’s number one on pretty much every skin-related guide on our website for a reason. It truly is the most crucial step in any person's skincare regime. Not only does sunscreen stop you from getting burnt, and although that is definitely a huge upside, it also slows down the signs of premature aging. And yes you are still exposed to skin stressors when you’re inside all day - so even if you work in an office you still need to be using sunscreen every day!
Because in New Zealand we’re blessed to have our silly season bang-smack in the middle of summer, it’s an even more important time to be applying AND reapplying throughout the day. The Caci team love sunscreen that adds a little bit of hydrating glow in the morning, as well as protects against all the harsh UV rays. Murad and Skinsmiths offer fabulous sunscreens it's really hard to pick only one, but the Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum is great for all skin types, it's super hydrating and offers an SPF 30+. It also has such a nice refreshing kick of vitamin C which will give your skin an instant refresh first thing in the morning! Pair with the vitamin C serum for the ultimate morning pick-me-up. Add a shot of espresso to the mix and you're ready for the festivities!
2. Exfoliators are your friend
There really is nothing quite like that post-exfoliant glow. In the warmer months, exfoliating is even more key to washing away dead skin cells and ensuring you keep your skin looking fresh. Depending on your skin type and its tolerance levels, you should be aiming to use an exfoliant around 2-3 times per week. Like all things skincare, consistency is key and if you keep using it consistently you should notice your skin will start to appear more even and less congested.
You’ll come across two different exfoliators in life – physical exfoliants (think face scrubs) and chemical exfoliants (think acids and peels). While there’s no definitive answer about which is ‘better’ than the other, at Caci, we can’t go past a good peel. For an all-rounder, the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser is just *chef's kiss* and suits nearly all skin types. We also love the Skinsmiths Resurfacing AHA/BHA Peel, when used in the evening (combined with your nightly ritual), it resets your skin revealing your best skin overnight- a must.
Or, the Murad Vita-C Triple Exfoliating Facial also combines the powers of physical, chemical and enzymatic exfoliants to gently but effectively slough off dead skin cells and leave your face looking revitalised.
3. Keep your skin hydrated
If you’re in search of dewy, glowing skin, you need to make sure your skin is hydrated. An obvious ingredient on the road to hydration is to have a good morning and night moisturiser in your rotation.
While these can be the same product, incorporating SPF into your morning moisturiser is a great way to get two crucial steps ticked off in one. You also may want to opt for a slightly lighter textured moisturiser in the morning, to avoid your skin looking or feeling too greasy during the day. The Skinsmiths Daily Antioxidant Defence SPF 30 is a perfect morning option, being both lightweight and hard-working, it gives you complete sheer coverage that doubles as a day moisturiser with multi-layer hydration to pump and smooth your skin. Use after any treatments and serums and the moisturiser will work to lock in all that hydrating goodness and leave you glowing all day long and give you SPF30 protection without the white cast (remember to reapply SPF throughout the day).
In the evening you can opt for a thicker consistency for a more intensive glow-up. The Murad Intense Recovery Cream is perfect for use before bed and is also a must-have for the stressful silly season. Dr. Murad has been studying the stressful impacts life takes on the skin since 1972, and formulated the Intense Recovery Cream to help combat this. It is filled to the brim with ingredients that help to offset the symptoms of skin stress. See our full collection of skincare that helps give you that dewy, hydrated skin we all want.
4. Don't forget about eye cream!
As we get tired or stressed, usually our eye area is the first dead giveaway! This being said, if you neglect your peepers, you might actually make yourself look as tired as you feel (horror).
The skin under our eyes is thinner than the rest of the face, so they require their own type of targeted treatment to keep them looking plump and hydrated. The Skinsmiths PRO Collagen Eye Complex is a fabulous addition to any skincare routine. Formulated with a collagen-promoting complex of retinol, Phyto-retinol and vitamin C, this will firm, strengthen and help to diminish fine lines around your eye area. Or, if dark circles are your greatest concern, try the Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector. This wonder product is formulated to target multiple causes and types of dark circles under the eye and is perfect to use morning and night for a refreshing glow under the eyes.
If you’re wanting to really step up your eye game before the weekend or an important event, who doesn’t love an under-eye mask? Sit back, relax and pop on a Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Mask for an unmatched boost of retinol that will virtually erase lines, visibly firm and leave your eyes looking refreshed!
5. Eat well
We’ve all heard phrases like ‘you are what you eat or ‘lit from within’ and they are all incredibly true - and relevant when it comes to skin health and appearance. Nourishing your body from the inside out is equally as important as ensuring you have all the best skincare products. Try incorporating healthy fats into your diets such as avocado and fatty fish for an inside-out glow-up. Don’t underestimate the power of a good diet combined with a kick-ass skincare regime!
Check out our delicious Berry & Avocado Salad Recipe. The perfect go-to when you are craving something that tantalises your taste buds and providing essential nutrients for your body - and skin!
6. Cleanse your skin every day
While cleansers might not sound as exciting as your favourite treatment, mask or serum, they truly are the unsung hero of the skincare world. They are the best way to remove dirt, oil and other unwanted nasties that build up on the skin and can lead to breakouts and congestion. They also ensure that all those more exciting products can penetrate the skin properly and do an even better job of making you a glowing goddess.
If you’re not sure which cleanser is right for you, pop into your local Caci clinic for some expert advice from our friendly staff! Or if you’re new to the skincare game, start with something gentle but effective like the Skinsmiths Gentle Cream Cleanser.
7. Regular skin treatments
The best formula for glowing, healthy skin is undoubtedly to have a mix of excellent at-home products with more intensive in-clinic treatments. Because some things are just better left to the professionals. Regular skin treatments are another important step towards healthy and glowing skin. Think of skin treatments as a deep clean for your face. Your consistent skincare routine and a healthy lifestyle are doing their thing. But, the real magic happens when you also incorporate regular skin treatments.
Just like hitting the gym, achieving your skincare goals requires commitment. If you’re after lasting results, you can’t just dip in and out of treatments. To really transform your skin, you need a solid plan that includes both at-home care and in-clinic treatments. Regular skin conditioning treatments form the foundation of your skincare routine.
While one-off treatments can give you a temporary boost, consistent care is key for achieving long-lasting results. If you’ve been enjoying occasional visits, think of what a regular routine could do for your skin!
8. The best skin treatments for holiday ready skin
Microdermabrasion
Pre-summer is the perfect time to give your skin a deep clean. And no skin treatment does it better than a good microdermabrasion. It’s basically a non-invasive treatment that exfoliates, reduces congestion and improves skin texture. It’s the perfect way to restore that summer glow to your face!
Hydradermabrasion
Hydradermabrasion is excellent at pulling out skin congestion and excess sebum while hydrating the skin through our active hydrating solution using electroporation. Electroporation helps the hydrating solution penetrate deeper into the skin resulting in that instant glow - perfect for your pre-social season!
Sonophoresis Skin Infusion
The Sonophoresis Skin Infusion is designed to reduce redness and hydrate dry skin through soundwaves that gently penetrate moisture and antioxidants into the skin. It basically makes your face look like it’s just power-chugged a nutritional smoothie, and it’s completely non-invasive. Perfect for all year round, the Sonophoresis Skin Infusion is a lovely treatment when your skin is in need of a quick refresher!
LED Light Therapy
Get the summer glow with LED Light Therapy treatment! This treatment is a non-invasive treatment which means you can have a treatment right before a special occasion or go about your day as usual after your treatment. LED Light Therapy is great for most skin concerns such as sun damage, acne, ageing and scarring. It works to soothe inflammation in the skin while stimulating the skin’s natural cell turnover and speeding up healing. We love this treatment on its own or as an add-on to other skin conditioning or advanced treatments. With on-going treatments the better the results!
Ready to get your skin holiday season ready?
So, there you have it, our top tips on getting your skin ready for the holiday season. So, if glowing skin is on your wish-list, don’t wait around. Find your local Caci and book your free consultation and skin treatment at Caci today!
