They happen to all of us at one time or another….the holiday skin mishap! Below are some of the most common blunders and what you can do to help fix them.

Overindulgence #1: So you managed to hang out by the food table just a little too long or you had one too many of those yummy chocolate martinis. You wake up the next morning to find your face puffy and red. What to do?

When you overeat, particularly heavier, party foods, your body retains additional fluids, giving you a bloated appearance. Over consumption of alcohol can cause blood vessels to dilate, giving you a reddish hue.
SO – in order to combat these two conditions, drink plenty of water to flush your system and to re-hydrate from the alcohol. This will have your face back to normal size and color in no time at all!   You could also try a  cold compress of chilled cucumber slices or cold black-tea bags on your closed lids will also help with puffiness.

Overindulgence #2:  Who can get to bed on time during the holidays?  Not me!  Whether it is a holiday get together or watching a Christmas movie with the kids or even the never-ending task of wrapping gifts….my bedtime has been definitely been extended!  The down side to all the fun leading to lack of sleep is lackluster-dull skin and dark circles.  Not exactly what I had on my list to Santa!

A couple of things I have to found to help out is a quick, gently enzyme exfoliator.  It stimulates the skin and removes the dead dry surface skin leaving your skin soft and glowing.  I just happen to have a favorite, Nupeel.  It’s awesome and gentle!   Unfortunately – those dark circles are hereditary and there is not  much more than an excellent concealer you can do about those.   Be sure to use one a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone.

Overindulgence #3:  STRESS!  You let stress get the best of you and now you have zits.  Adrenaline is flowing which increases oil secretions and once that stuff gets trapped below dead skin cells, you have a full blown case of acne!

Dab spots with a lactic/salicylic acid liquid and follow with a concealer.  This will clear you up in a jiffy!  Slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy this season!

Overindulgence #4:  Better yet – UNDER-indulgence.  You get so wrapped up (ha! no pun intended!) in shopping that you forget to keep a soothing balm on your lips.  Your lips dry out and are cracked and flaky and they HURT!

One trick I have learned is to moisten lips with cool water and THEN apply a medicated balm to help seal in the moisture.  This works very quickly and effectively!   Be sure you carry at least lip gloss with you so you don’t have to deal with this problem.  Dry, cracked lips can bleed and even allow bacteria to enter and cause fever blisters.  Who wants a fever blister for that family picture Christmas card?