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3 Foods to Avoid For Your Skin During The Holidays

Some foods are just better for our health than others – here are 3 foods to avoid when it comes to your skin and your overall wellness during the holidays this year. While the relationship between flawless, glowing skin and diet isn’t yet crystal clear, there is some evidence linking specific foods to skin flare-ups and other nutrient-rich foods to skin benefits. Learn more in this post. SHOP RADIANT SKIN SET What Food Should Be Avoided For Skin? (Sugary Treats!) Beautifully decorated cookies, holiday chocolates & decadent macarons are in abundance at this time of year. Though they may taste good going down, over consumption can lead to glycation, resulting in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which can induce free radical damage and cause deterioration of the skin. The end-result? A loss of elasticity and the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Sugar has become one of the most vilified foods for its negative impact on overall wellness, including our skin’s appearance. We’re not saying never, but try to limit your servings when possible. Or, indulge a sweet tooth with a small amount of fresh fruit or dark chocolate. 2 More Foods to Avoid: Alcohol & Salty Foods Alcohol and salty foods cause dehydration, which can leave skin looking pasty, puffy and more visibly wrinkled. Boozy holiday cocktails often contain a lot of sugar (see above), which can exacerbate the signs of skin aging. These are two foods to avoid when it comes to your skin; moderation is key. Reach for the water, a mocktail or a spritzer when it comes to beverages and load up on crudites instead of the chips. These choices will help to ensure you stay hydrated while nourishing your body with essential vitamins and minerals. What Foods Make Your Skin Better? It’s well known that certain nutrients are essential to good health. Minerals like magnesium and calcium; vitamins A, B, C and D; omega-3 fatty acids; lean protein; fibre; micronutrients…the list goes on. For healthy skin, the research isn’t so clear. But, given that it’s the body’s largest organ, it makes sense that what’s good for the body, is (in general) what’s good for the skin. A diet that keeps your inside healthy will help deliver glowing and beautiful skin as well. The occasional splurge isn’t going to ruin your complexion, but a consistently poor diet is bound to have implications. Several experts whose expertise straddles both nutrition and dermatology are here to tell you which foods may support smooth, healthy skin, and which foods are more likely to lead to rashes, blemishes, and breakouts. Try to Maintain Your Skin Care Routine Wherever Possible Work parties, family gatherings and extra social outings put temptation in front of you during the holidays and it’s only human nature to indulge. Have a sugar cookie, enjoy a glass of eggnog and try that new cheese your cousin bought just for you. It’s important to enjoy life too! While late nights and an over extended social calendar can disrupt routines, try to exercise, get enough sleep and choose healthy food options when you can for the health of both your skin and your body. When it comes to your skin, don’t neglect to cleanse your face before falling into bed. This will help to remove dirt and makeup that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Besides cleansing, if there are only two things you can remember to use, make it the serums in our Radiant Skin Set. It includes our Bespoke Vitamin C Serum (for morning) and our A is for Anti-Aging Serum (for night), which will help to protect against inflammation and free radical damage and deliver the glowing skin you want to show the world for the holidays! SHOP RADIANT SKIN SET Happy Holidays All!

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4 Tips To Help You Survive the Holidays

I know that I’m not alone in feeling that as lovely and magical as the holiday season is, that it’s kind of sad that we need tips to survive the holidays! Let’s face it, this season also brings with it more stress than many of us wish for. We’re already familiar with the impact of stress on our health and the negative long term implications for our well being so in this post, let’s look at 4 tips to help us survive the holidays so that it’s as merry as can be. Shop All Apothekari Here’s How to Survive the Holidays 1. Take Some Time Out Whether it’s a spin class or yoga, a power nap or an afternoon in with a mug of hot tea and a good book, let this be JUST FOR YOU. Allow yourself time to rest and recharge so that you can tackle all things on your list with more calm, energy and enjoyment. 2. Eat Well I know I’m not alone when I say that my diet suffers terribly during the holidays. This food focused season filled with an overload of sugar, cheese and alcohol makes eating well challenging for even those of us who are good most of the year. The best advice here is to try not to overdo it. Eat the cookies, enjoy that cocktail and the sumptuous buffet. The key is to try to do this in moderation (easier said than done, I know). But regardless what happens, don’t beat yourself up. The holidays will soon be a distant memory and you’ll soon be able to focus on food that nourish your body again. 3. Manage Social Obligations Dinners with relatives, drinks with friends and business functions – all can be enjoyable, but when they’re packed into a short time frame, they can be both mentally and physically exhausting. While many social gatherings are unavoidable, if you’re worn out or too tired, it’s OK to decline the invitation. You can also opt to leave early, after popping in for a drink and to say hello. Your mental well-being is the most important thing here and good friends will understand. 4. Simplify Shopping There is nothing more stressful than trying to come up with gift ideas that show you really care. EXCEPT, fighting your way through the throngs of holiday shoppers trying to do same thing as you. Does anyone really need another scarf or centerpiece bowl? Unless you know that someone is really coveting something, simplify gift giving. Opt for gifts of food (a favourite bottle of wine, spices, condiments), which are always well received. Activities, including a dinner out or in, a movie night or drinks out with your most special people are sure to be appreciated more than a material thing. Why is Self Care Important During the Holidays? The holidays are meant to be a special time, enjoyed with those you love and focusing on celebratory foods and activities. But, those things don’t happen by themselves. Behind the scenes, someone is up till midnight baking cookies, wrapping presents or decorating the house. Over the years I’ve come to realize that I was the cause of much of the stress I felt during the holidays. My family didn’t care about the perfectly decorated tree, the home baked everything or the presents that were wrapped just so. I’d read too many magazines and blogs and followed too many influencers who made me feel like I was letting everyone down. Yes, there’s work involved, but nothing has to be PERFECT. Outsource, do less and do without so that you can enjoy the season as well. Your sanity—and your health—are more important than trying to keep up with unrealistic expectations. Your friends and family (those that really matter) care most about YOU. Focus on that rather than all the extra stuff that doesn’t bring much happiness to anyone. Indulge in a bit of self care so that you not only survive, but enjoy the holidays that you worked so hard to make special.

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