Holiday Skin + Well-Being Care: A Practical Guide to Feeling (and Looking) Your Best

Posted on November 19, 2025

The holidays are meant to be joyful—but they’re also a perfect storm for skin flare-ups and feeling run-down: late nights, rich foods, travel, cold air outside, dry heat indoors, and a calendar packed with events. The good news? You don’t need an elaborate routine to stay glowing and grounded. A few consistent habits—skincare and well-being included—make a noticeable difference.

Below is a realistic, holiday-proof approach you can actually stick with.

Why skin tends to “act up” during the holidays

Even if your skin is usually stable, this time of year can trigger changes because of:

• Temperature swings (cold outdoors + heated indoors) → leading to dryness, redness, sensitivity
• Lower humidity → leading to dehydration and flaking
• More sugar/alcohol → leading to puffiness, dullness, breakouts for some people
• Stress + disrupted sleep → leading to inflammation, slower repair, under-eye darkness & pufiness
• Travel (airplanes and different water) → leading to dehydration, irritation, congestion
• Makeup + long wear → leading to clogged pores if removal & cleansing aren't thorough

Your goal isn’t perfection—it’s keeping your skin barrier supported and your nervous system less stressed.

The “Holiday Core Routine” (5 minutes, morning + night)

If the season gets busy & hectic, this is the routine to protect your skin without overthinking it.

Morning: Protect + hydrate

1. Gentle cleanse (or rinse)
   If you’re dry/sensitive, a water rinse or very mild cleanser can be enough.
2. Moisturizer
   Look for barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, squalane.
3. Sunscreen (yes, in winter!)
   UV exposure still adds up, especially if you’re outdoors, traveling, or near snow.

Night: Clean + repair

1. Remove makeup/sunscreen thoroughly
   A balm/oil cleanser followed by a gentle cleanser can help if you wear long-lasting or waterproof makeup.
2. Moisturizer
   If you’re extra dry, seal it in with a thin layer of a heavier moisturizer -ingredients that attract water like glycerin, hyaluronic acid & urea draw moisture in, while squalane, shea butter & dimethicone prevent water loss

Holiday rule: When life is chaotic, consistency beats intensity. Don’t introduce three new actives in December.

Your “Pre-Party” Skin Plan (so makeup sits better)

For smoother texture and longer-lasting glow, keep it simple:

• The day before: prioritize hydration (moisturizer + plenty of water). A Preime Dermafacial does wonders to keep skin healthy and hydrated!
• Optional at home exfoliation (1–2x/week): choose one gentle option
  If you’re oily/congested: a mild BHA (salicylic acid)
  If you’re dull/dry: a gentle AHA (lactic acid is often more forgiving)
• A better option is to come in & get an Enzymatic Peel & a Preime Dermafacial or Dermafuse Hydrating Treatment to penetrate better into deeper layers and provide longer lasting results
• The day of: skip anything new or strong. Focus on moisture, barrier support and a hydrating primer prior to applying make up

Avoid heavy exfoliation the same day as an event since irritation can have a delayed effect.

The “Post-Party Reset” (10 minutes that helps tomorrow)

Late night? Makeup? Holiday treats? This quick reset goes a long way:

1. Double cleanse (or at least cleanse well)
2. Hydrate (moisturizer, plus a bland hydrating serum if you already use one)
3. Spot support

Breakout-prone: a tiny dab of acne treatment like our Blemish-B-Gone roll on applied only on spots
Dry/irritated skin: skip actives and apply a richer moisturizer with barrier support (ask us! we have great recommendations!)

If you do only one thing: wash your face before bed. Your future self will thank you!

Winter-specific skin savers (hands, lips, and flaky patches)

Hands: the first place winter shows up

• Keep a hand cream or lotion by every sink
• After washing: dry hands gently and moisturize immediately
• If hands are cracked: apply a thicker ointment or occlusive gel at night and consider cotton gloves

Lips: protect, don’t punish

• Use a hydrating & protecting lip balm like our Arnicare Healing Lip Balm or our Zealios Lipguard regularly (especially outdoors)
• If your lips are very dry or peeling: avoid aggressive scrubs—try a thicker balm like our Arnicare Repair Mask and let them recover

Dry patches: treat them like a “barrier emergency”

• Pause strong actives for a few days
• Use a rich moisturizer consistently
• Add an occlusive layer over flaky areas at night

Travel-proof tips (planes, hotels, and different climates)

Traveling can dehydrate skin very fast. Try this:

• Pack the basics only: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen
• On flights: regularly apply moisturizer + lip balm; skip harsh actives
• Don’t experiment with new hotel products or random minis
• Hydrate strategically: water + electrolytes can help if you’re flying or celebrating

If you’re going somewhere sunny, re-commit to sunscreen & consider adding a hat or sunglasses for extra protection.

Food and drink: a gentle approach that supports skin

You don’t need to “be perfect” to feel good. Try adding rather than restricting:

• Add water (aim for a full glass in the morning as soon as you wake up, keep drinking throughout the day, and also in between festive drinks)
• Add color (fruit/veg once a day is a win)
• Add protein with each meal (helps stabilize energy and cravings)
• Add omega-3s (salmon, walnuts, chia or sesame seeds—supportive against inflammation)

If alcohol is part of your celebrations, a simple rhythm helps:
One drink → one glass of water.

Stress, sleep, and glow: the underrated skincare trio

Skin is deeply tied to recovery. During the holidays, these mini-habits help:

1) The 60-second unwind

Before bed: slow breathing (inhale 4, exhale 6) for 1-2 minutes.

2) Protect your sleep window

Even if bedtime shifts, try to keep your wake-up time somewhat steady & consistent.

3) Build in “quiet buffers”

Add 10 minutes before an event or after errands to reduce that rushed feeling.

Well-being isn’t another item on your to-do list—it’s what makes the to-do list survivable.

Common holiday skin issues (and what to do)

“My skin is suddenly dry and tight.”

• Reduce exfoliation/actives temporarily
• Use richer moisturizer and protect with an occlusive at night
• Avoid very hot showers and harsh cleansers

“I’m breaking out more.”

• Keep cleansing consistent
• Avoid over-scrubbing
• Spot-treat instead of treating your whole face aggressively
• Make sure makeup & sunscreen are removed thoroughly

“I’m red & irritated.”

• Go back to basics: gentle cleanse + moisturizer + sunscreen
• Avoid fragrance-heavy products if you’re sensitive
• If irritation persists or worsens, consider checking in with a dermatologist or expert skincare provider

A simple holiday checklist (save this)

• ✅ Cleanse gently
• ✅ Moisturize consistently
• ✅ Wear sunscreen daily
• ✅ Hydrate (water counts more than wishful thinking)
• ✅ Remove makeup before bed
• ✅ Pause harsh actives if skin feels reactive
• ✅ Keep hand cream + lip balm close
• ✅ Protect sleep where you can

Closing reminder

The holidays don’t require perfect skin—or perfect habits. If you keep your routine simple, support your barrier, and take a few small well-being breaks, you’ll feel better and your skin will usually reflect it.

Note: This article is for general education and isn’t considered medical advice. If you have persistent irritation, severe acne, eczema flare-ups, or a new rash, consider consulting a licensed dermatologist or healthcare professional.