Oh, it’s that time of year again. Sugarplums, holiday cheer, peace on earth … last-minute shopping, carb overload, stress breakouts. The holidays can take its toll on the best of us, no matter how genetically skin-blessed, mask-militant, or regimen-regimented we may be. So to prepare our skin for the shock that lasts from that first drop of gravy on Thanksgiving to the last sip of champagne on New Year’s Eve, follow this week-by-week guide to end the year with a glow.
Week 1: Get a Fresh Start
We’re well into the colder months, so you may be seeing the first signs of flaking and dry patches on your face. To slough off that built-up layer of dead skin cells and excess melanin left over from summer, start slow with a gentle physical exfoliator. Salon de Tte Exfoliating Mask gets its inspiration from traditional Korean bathhouses, where women slough off the dead top layer of skin with a textured cleansing cloth. Salon de Tte’s version is far gentler, utilizing cellulose for a gommage effect combined with a convenient palm-size pad.
For particularly pesky areas, like around the nose, use an aqua peeler with alpha hydroxy acids, like Reme+G 3-in-1 Aqua Peeler Sheet Mask Kit or Yoon Dermaline Marine Aqua Peeler. Each features an oversized cotton swab filled with glycolic acid, so you can really get into those nooks and crannies.
Week 2: Layer Up
Now that you’ve sloughed off the dead layer to reveal fresh, new skin, your skin is ready to better absorb nutrients. Maintain your smooth texture by hydrating your skin from the inside out. Add a hydrating essence or serum with hyaluronic acid to boost the skin’s ability to draw moisture into itself. Huxley Grab Water Essence does just that — grabs hydration and harnesses it for your skin, thanks to its 85% Sahara cactus extract. (How do you think the Sahara cactus survives in one of the harshest environments on earth?)
Another way to keep your skin hydrated is by adding a lotion into your regimen. Korean women often apply a lightweight moisturizer between their serum and cream moisturizer steps — think of it in the same way that a cardigan under a coat keeps you warmer than just a heavy coat. A good lotion to try is Yuri Pibu Asiatica Essence Lotion, which not only gives you that extra layer of hydration, it is 80% Centella asiatica extract, known in Asia for its anti-inflammatory properties. Bonus: It’s particularly helpful for irritable and acneic skin types.
Week 3: Reboot & Reset
As the invites come pouring in (office party, holiday wedding, family get-together), be sure to put your best face forward by giving yourself a 1-day-1-pack reboot. It’s a big trend in Korea, and when I tried it, I surprised even my skeptical self. Wearing a sheet mask every day for a week not only quelled my breakouts, it made my skin feel plush and positively juicy.
Be smart about your masking and start with something to target your skin concerns. If stress breakouts are your big fear, stop potential skin hijackings with LJH Tea Tree Mask. Full of tea tree extract and anti-inflammatory Centella asiatica extract, this sheet mask is my go-to when I’m having a breakout.
As the week wears on, treat your skin to something more hydrating and nourishing, like one of MD’S Pick Rubber Masks, the Korean facialist secret to plump, glowing skin. Then, the day before your big event, try a lifting, firming or brightening mask — like Polatam Pure Cream Mask Firming Radiance or Femmue Peony Brightening Sheet Mask — to really get your skin looking its best. (Don’t forget to add an eye mask, like Wish Formula Panda Eye Essence mask or Bat Eye Essence Mask — apply under your sheet mask for a true multi-masking time hack.)
Week 4: Pamper Yourself
You’re almost there! You’ve survived drunk uncles and too much booze and holiday deadlines, so take some time to pamper yourself and your skin. Take a bath with essential oils and lots of bubbles. Splurge on an extra chic manicure. And keep a sleeping mask on your bedside table to slather on before you hit the hay — it’ll act like an extra-plush comforter for your tired skin. J. One Black Jelly Pack is the sassier, overnight version of the beloved J. One Jelly Pack, what with its inky hue and ebony-shaded ingredients (black cumin, blackberry, black pearl). And yes, while its antioxidants and reparative features act as a salve for your skin, it is a Jelly Pack, after all, which means it’ll whip your skin into shape by morning.
Because a stress-free, holiday-proof complexion? That’s the best gift of all.
Get your glow on,
Anna
Luckily, all of these tips are included in our exclusive Holiday Gift Sets. From cleansing, exfoliating, layering treatments, to sheet masks, each of our gift boxes were created to target your biggest skin concerns throughout the holiday season. Make your skincare prep easy with these hand-picked routines, or better yet, give the gift of glow to your loved ones!