How To Keep Your Skin on Track This Silly Season

The "silly season" is upon us—Christmas parties, holiday gatherings, travel, endless shopping, and, of course, a little extra indulgence in festive food and drinks. While all of this can be incredibly fun and exciting, it can also wreak havoc on your skin if you're not careful. The combination of stress, lack of sleep, excessive sugar, alcohol, and unpredictable weather can leave your complexion looking dull, tired, and blemished. But fear not—I've got you covered! Here are my top tips to keep your skin glowing and healthy throughout the holiday season, so you can feel confident and radiant no matter what the festivities throw your way.

1. Stay Hydrated (And Not Just With Wine!)

During the holidays, it's easy to get caught up in the celebratory drinks, but don't forget about hydration. Alcohol, sugary drinks, and rich holiday foods can quickly dehydrate your skin, leading to dryness, fine lines, and a lacklustre complexion. Water is your skin's best friend—aim to drink at least 8 glasses a day, and add in some herbal teas or coconut water for extra hydration. Try carrying a water bottle with you at all times, especially during those marathon shopping sessions or holiday dinners.

Bonus Tip: If you want to amp up your skin hydration, try a hydrating serum or facial mist. These can work wonders during long days out and about.

2. Stick to Your Skincare Routine (Even When You're Busy)

With all the holiday madness, it can be tempting to skip your skincare routine. But your skin still needs consistency! Make time for the basics—cleansing, toning, and moisturizing—even if it’s just for a few minutes before bed. The last thing you want is clogged pores or breakouts from neglecting your skincare.

If you’re short on time, consider a multi-functional product like a serum that both hydrates and fights signs of aging or acne. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid for moisture and niacinamide for its brightening and anti-inflammatory benefits.

3. Don't Skip Sunscreen

Winter sun may not seem as intense, but UV rays can still damage your skin, especially when combined with the reflective surfaces of snow or beach sand (for those lucky enough to escape to a tropical destination). Protect your skin with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day, even if you’re mostly indoors. If you’ll be out and about more often, reapply every two hours. It's one of the easiest ways to prevent premature aging and keep your skin smooth and glowing.

Tip for the Face: Consider a tinted sunscreen, which will offer additional protection and a subtle glow. Plus, it's an easy way to skip foundation on the days you're on the go.

4. Avoid Overindulgence in Sugar and Salt

I get it—holiday treats are hard to resist! But be mindful of how much sugar and salty snacks you’re consuming. Sugar contributes to inflammation in the body, which can lead to breakouts, dullness, and even premature aging. Similarly, excess salt can cause your body to retain water, which can make your skin look puffy or bloated.

Opt for healthier holiday treats like fruit salad, roasted nuts, or veggies with hummus. If you do indulge (and I encourage you to!), balance it out by drinking more water and incorporating green tea or herbal teas into your daily routine to help flush out toxins.

5. Prioritise Sleep

This time of year is notorious for late nights and early mornings. Whether you're wrapping presents, attending a party, or travelling, it’s easy to sacrifice sleep for more holiday activities. However, sleep is when your skin regenerates and repairs itself. Not getting enough shut-eye can cause dark circles, fine lines, and a lacklustre complexion.

Make an effort to stick to a regular sleep schedule, even during the holidays. If you're feeling extra tired, treat yourself to a mini facial with soothing products like chamomile or lavender-infused oils to relax before bed. Your skin (and body) will thank you!

6. Manage Stress with Self-Care

The hustle and bustle of the season can leave us feeling stressed, which in turn can trigger breakouts, eczema flare-ups, and other skin irritations. Stress is also known to increase the production of cortisol, a hormone that can weaken the skin’s natural barrier and leave it more vulnerable to damage.

Take time out for self-care, even if it's just for a few minutes each day. A calming face mask, an at-home facial, or a relaxing bath with essential oils can help you unwind and give your skin a much-needed boost. If you’re prone to acne or sensitivity, opt for gentle, soothing ingredients like aloe vera, oatmeal, or calendula.

7. Exfoliate (But Don’t Overdo It)

Exfoliating your skin is essential for removing dead skin cells, promoting cell turnover, and revealing a fresh, radiant complexion. However, holiday stress can make your skin more sensitive, so be careful not to over-exfoliate. Stick to gentle exfoliants, like chemical exfoliators with AHAs or BHAs, rather than harsh physical scrubs that could irritate your skin.

Aim to exfoliate once or twice a week to keep your skin smooth and glowing. If you're worried about overdoing it, exfoliate just before your holiday party to give your skin that extra radiance.

8. Protect Your Skin from Winter Weather

If you’re in a colder climate, the cold air and low humidity can dry out your skin and make it prone to irritation. Make sure you’re using a thicker moisturizer during winter months to create a protective barrier. Look for formulas with ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, or squalane to lock in moisture.

Bonus Tip: Keep a hand cream and lip balm in your bag at all times to protect your hands and lips from chapping, which can become especially common in the winter.

9. Treat Yourself to a Facial

If you're really looking to up your skincare game, book a professional facial before any major holiday events. A facial can help rejuvenate your skin, deep clean your pores, and give you that extra glow for special occasions. Many spas offer festive packages with hydrating treatments that are perfect for the season.

10. Keep Your Makeup Light and Fresh

Holiday makeup can be fun and festive, but try to keep it light to let your skin breathe. Avoid heavy foundations that can clog your pores, and instead opt for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream for a more natural look. Choose glowing, dewy finishes over matte formulas to keep your skin looking fresh.

If you want to go all out with bold eye makeup or red lips, make sure to double cleanse at the end of the day to remove all traces of makeup and prevent any skin issues.

Here are Phoebe Auckland, Naturopath, and regular Nimbus Co journal contributor's tips on how she'll get through the season.

Ditch the ‘all or nothing’ mindset! A super indulgent Christmas Day doesn’t need to turn into a super indulgent week, just like an indulgent lunch doesn’t need to turn into an indulgent dinner. Leave ‘slip-ups’ or splurges where they are, & jump back into your skin-loving diet habits at the next meal. Staying on track even 50% of the time is going to be better for your overall trajectory than throwing in the towel altogether this silly season.
Take your supplements during the holidays, at least! Even if everything else falls by the wayside. You might even like to increase your fish oils to help buffer the extra indulgence.
Keep using your skincare as instructed by your skin therapist, and always take your makeup off after Christmas parties and big nights!
it’s Summer, do you have a good sunscreen? Ask your skin therapist for one, otherwise brands I am loving include Mother SPF, Little Urchin & Avocado Zinc. Opt for one that is non-comedogenic so it doesn’t clog your skin.
Keep your body moving. A 20 minute walk after your roast lunch or sticking to your gym schedule can help to keep your blood sugar levels stable during the holidays.
Nail your breakfast. I know you’ll probably have some long lunches and dinner feasts happening over the holiday period, but there’s no reason you can’t wake up each morning and begin your day with your typical 30g protein breakfast, with coffee AFTERWARDS, always.
Choose your alcohol wisely! If it’s acne you’re dealing with, sugary cocktails and mixed drinks aren’t going to be as beneficial for you as sugar-free seltzers, sparkling/champagne or vodka, lime & sodas.
Is there a smorgasbord of desserts available? Try picking just 1, and enjoy it thoroughly.
Have better options on hand: use Olina’s gluten-free crackers and goat’s cheese on your cheese board, make a dark-chocolate based dessert.
Load up your plate with protein! There will no doubt be some turkey, ham or seafood on offer, so load your plate up with these FIRST.

Final Thoughts

The holiday season is a time for fun and celebration, but that doesn’t mean you have to let your skincare fall by the wayside. With a few simple adjustments to your routine, you can keep your skin looking healthy, hydrated, and radiant all season long. So go ahead—enjoy those holiday parties, delicious meals, and cozy nights in, knowing that your skin is in great shape. Cheers to a fabulous and glowing silly season!

What are your favorite skincare tips for the holidays? Share them in the comments.