5 Simple Adjustments For Confident, Radiant Skin This Xmas
Beauty expert shares simple tricks to help you look radiant throughout the festive season
The festive season brings joy, celebration, and plenty of late nights, but it can also leave your skin looking tired and dull. With holiday parties, family gatherings, and the inevitable stress of the season, maintaining that radiant glow can feel like an impossible task. But what if you could wake up on Christmas morning looking refreshed and confident, ready to shine in all those family photos? That’s exactly what Dr Kevin Hayavi, Medical Director and Managing Partner at Beverly Hills Physicians wants to help people achieve. “The holidays shouldn’t mean sacrificing your skin health,” Dr Hayavi explains. “With a few strategic adjustments to your routine, you can maintain that healthy glow even during the busiest time of year.”
Below, Dr Hayavi shares his expert-approved skincare hacks to revitalise your complexion before the big day, and keep you glowing throughout the entire festive season.
5 Simple Skincare Hacks For A Christmas Glow
1. Layer Hydration Like You’re Wrapping Presents
In the week leading up to Christmas, focus on deep hydration. Start with a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid, then lock it in with a rich moisturiser.
“Think of your skincare like gift wrapping, with each layer serving a purpose,” says Dr Hayavi. “Hyaluronic acid pulls moisture into your skin, while a good moisturiser seals it in. This double-action approach is especially important when indoor heating is zapping moisture from your face.”
For an extra boost, add a facial mist throughout the day. Keep one in your bag during holiday shopping trips and spritz whenever your skin feels tight.
2. Make Overnight Masks Your New Holiday Tradition
Swap your regular night cream for an overnight mask two to three times per week in December. These intensive treatments work while you sleep, so you wake up with plumper, more radiant skin.
“Overnight masks are like sending your skin to a spa while you rest,” Dr Hayavi notes. “They contain higher concentrations of active ingredients that penetrate deeply during your sleep cycle.”
Look for masks with niacinamide for brightness or peptides for firmness. Apply a generous layer before bed and let the magic happen.
3. Exfoliate Smart, Not Hard
Gentle exfoliation is your secret weapon for glowing skin, but timing matters.
“I recommend exfoliating two to three days before Christmas, not the night before,” advises Dr Hayavi. “This gives your skin time to recover and allows your products to absorb better without irritation.”
Use a gentle chemical exfoliant with AHAs or BHAs rather than harsh scrubs. These dissolve dead skin cells without the micro-tears that physical exfoliants can cause. Your skin will look smoother, and your makeup will apply like a dream on Christmas morning.
4. Add A Festive Sheet Mask Ritual
Turn skincare into a moment of calm during the chaos. Set aside 20 minutes for a sheet mask session, maybe while wrapping gifts or watching a holiday movie.
“Sheet masks are perfect for busy schedules because they’re mess-free and require zero effort,” says Dr Hayavi. “Plus, they force you to slow down, which reduces stress hormones that can trigger breakouts.”
Choose masks targeting your specific concerns: brightening for dullness, soothing for redness, or hydrating for dry patches.
5. Don’t Skip The Eye Cream
Late nights show up first around your eyes. Combat dark circles and puffiness with a targeted eye cream containing caffeine or vitamin K. Gently pat it around the orbital bone using your ring finger; the lightest touch prevents tugging on delicate skin.
“The eye area has the thinnest skin on your face and loses moisture faster than anywhere else,” Dr Hayavi explains. “Consistent eye cream use in the weeks before Christmas makes a visible difference in how awake and refreshed you look.”
Party-Ready: 3 Dos And Don’ts For Late-Night Celebrations
Below, Dr Hayavi recommends simple yet effective ways to keep your skin glowing and healthy, even during the busiest late-night parties.
DO: Apply a nourishing serum before heading out. “A good vitamin C or peptide serum under your makeup acts as a protective barrier and keeps your skin healthy even during long party hours,” says Dr Hayavi.
DON’T: Sleep in your makeup, ever. Keep makeup wipes on your nightstand for those nights when you’re too tired for a full routine. A quick wipe is better than nothing, though a proper cleanse is always best.
DO: Drink water between cocktails. Alcohol dehydrates your skin from the inside out, leading to dullness and fine lines. Match each drink with a glass of water to maintain your glow.
DON’T: Overload on heavy products right before bed after a party. “Your skin needs to breathe after being under makeup for hours,” Dr Hayavi advises. “Stick to a gentle cleanser and a lightweight, hydrating serum rather than piling on thick creams.”
DO: Get at least seven hours of sleep whenever possible. “There’s a reason it’s called beauty sleep,” Dr Hayavi says. “Your skin repairs itself overnight, producing collagen and increasing blood flow. Missing sleep shows up on your face faster than any skincare product can fix.”
The festive season puts enormous pressure on our skin; late nights, rich foods, alcohol, stress, and fluctuating temperatures all take their toll. But a consistent skincare routine during the holidays can make a real difference in how your skin looks and feels.
When you look in the mirror on Christmas morning and see healthy, glowing skin, it sets a positive tone for the entire day. The simple acts of cleansing, moisturising, and treating your skin become moments of calm in an otherwise hectic season. These rituals reduce stress, which directly impacts your skin’s health and your overall wellbeing.