With Thanksgiving just around the corner, all of us are ready for the delicious foods and family togetherness, but there’s something else we need to talk about: your skin. Between the indulgent feast, colder weather, and yes, the stress of making sure everything’s just right, your skin might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. But don't worry, we’ve got you covered. With a little mindfulness and some nourishing skincare ingredients, you can maintain your glow all season long.
How Thanksgiving Foods Can Affect Your Skin
Let’s talk about what’s on your plate. Although Thanksgiving typically involves a little indulgence, some of the foods we love to eat can sneakily contribute to skin issues like breakouts, dryness, and inflammation. Here's how:
- High sugar treats: Desserts like pumpkin pie, candied yams, and cranberry sauce are holiday staples, but those extra sugars can lead to something called glycation. Glycation is when sugar molecules attach to proteins in your skin, including collagen, and cause them to become stiff and less elastic—aka more prone to wrinkles and sagging.
- Salty snacks: While munching on chips or savory dishes like stuffing, keep in mind that too much sodium can cause water retention, leading to puffiness, especially around the eyes.
- Fatty foods: We love a buttery roll or creamy casserole, but too much saturated fat can contribute to oily skin and clogged pores. This could mean a breakout or two, just when you want to look your best.
- Dairy overload: Dairy can be tricky. For some of us, heavy amounts of milk, cheese, and cream can lead to inflammation, triggering acne flare-ups.
Your Skin and Stress
Thanksgiving isn’t just about the meal; it’s also about coming together. For many, the holiday season brings planning, hosting, traveling, and juggling family dynamics–all of which can be stressful. And as we know, stress isn’t gentle on our skin.
When you're stressed, your body produces more of the hormone cortisol, which can increase oil production and lead to breakouts. It can also dehydrate your skin, making it look dull, and even speed up the aging process.
Ingredients to Keep Your Glow Intact
Now that you know what can affect your skin during the holiday weekend, let's talk about how to protect it. These natural ingredients will help you maintain a glow throughout the holiday season:
- Vitamin C: If your skin is looking dull or tired from the stress or the occasional sugar overload, reach for vitamin C. This antioxidant is amazing for brightening the skin, evening out skin tone, and fighting off free radicals caused by things like stress and pollution.
- Aloe vera: After a day of indulging in Thanksgiving meals and mingling, your skin may need some extra care. Calm redness and irritation with an Aloe-Cucumber Facial Cleanser, which delivers the right blend of soothing and hydrating.
- Hyaluronic Acid: If colder weather or indoor heating are causing dryness, hyaluronic acid is a must. This powerful humectant draws moisture into the skin, giving it the boost it needs to stay bouncy and glowing.
- Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil mimics the skin’s natural oils, making it great for both dry and oily skin types. During the Thanksgiving season, when your skin might be swinging between dry patches and excess oil, jojoba oil helps to regulate moisture and keep things balanced.
- Turmeric powder: Turmeric is a great way to calm down any post-Thanksgiving skin inflammation thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, it can help reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation, giving you a more even complexion.
- Raw honey: Raw honey is a wonderful natural humectant that locks in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. It's also packed with antioxidants and has antibacterial properties. An exfoliating mask with raw honey can help prevent breakouts caused by stress or excess oil production during the holiday rush.
An Easy Thanksgiving Skincare Ritual
During the Thanksgiving season, take a few moments for yourself amidst the hustle. A little self-care can make all the difference for your skin (and your mind!). Keep the holiday simple yet soothing with an easy skincare ritual, like:
- Morning hydration: Start your day with a hyaluronic moisturizer to lock in moisture.
- Post-dinner detox: After the feast, cleanse your skin thoroughly to remove excess oils and impurities, then apply a brightening vitamin C serum to fight free radicals and keep your glow.
- Evening nourishment: Finish the day with a rich moisturizer and let your skin recover while you rest.
This Thanksgiving, enjoy your time with loved ones, indulge in those favorite dishes, and remember to show your skin some love, too. By being mindful of what affects your skin and incorporating the right ingredients, you can glow through the holiday with confidence.
Head back to the Sabila Skincare Blog for more tips, tricks and expert advice, or explore our exclusive range of natural skincare products crafted to harmonize with your skin’s natural rhythm and unlock its glorious potential.
