Christmas tends to be a period of excess for most people with overindulgence in alcohol; late nights and lots of food.

Regime and self-discipline often get put to one side over the holiday season – and we’re all entitled to a bit of a break – but if you want to keep your skin looking good, a little restraint may be in order.

Don’t eat mindlessly

There are more boxes of sweets and tins of goodies around at this time of the year; from shop counters to doctor’s offices- there’s even a big bowl of chocolates at the reception in the dentist’s office!

You don’t have to completely eschew the holiday indulgences, but nor do you have to thoughtlessly munch on them just because they are on front of you.

Sugar tends to create an inflammatory response in the body, so if you suffer from Rosacea you’ll need to keep an eye on what you eat. Alcohol often triggers redness for rosacea sufferers, as can spicy foods.

Keep drinking lots of water, and you can try a variety of healthy teas to keep your system flushed out.

Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea is a good choice the best choice to reduce wintertime redness. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, inhibits inflammatory acne and rosacea, and has all-around calming properties. Internally, it also aids in reducing stress and benefiting sleep.

Green Tea: Green tea is widely regarded as one of the best all-around “superfoods,” packed with antioxidants that reduce inflammation. Topical use of green tea reduces sebum production, gets rid of oiliness and protects against acne-causing bacteria. For rosacea sufferers who have sun sensitivity, green tea decreases the skin’s reactivity to UV light.

Rooibos Tea: Rooibos tea is an excellent choice for winter dryness. It cleanses the pores and leaves the skin moist and supple. It’s a wonderful caffeine-free alternative which accelerates overall healing of the skin.

Supplement with zinc

Clinical studies have suggested that zinc may improve acne, heal damaged skin, and reduce the production of sebum. Take zinc supplements internally two or three times per day. Look for natural moisturizers that contain zinc as a primary ingredient.

Start taking evening primrose oil.

Evening primrose oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and has a particular affinity for treating skin conditions, from acne and rosacea to eczema and psoriasis.

In eczema and rosacea, evening primrose helps eliminate redness by reducing inflammation. In acne cases, it’s been shown to dilute sebum, reducing the risk of pores becoming clogged. It is commonly used for hormonal acne, when bumps appear on the chin and jaw line.

Winter Skin

To achieve and maintain clear skin you need to rely on more than just your products, even if you’re using the excellent range of ‘cosmeceuticals’ available at Cosmetic Doctor.

Look at your body as a whole entity and make a few changes to your everyday routine that will help restore your skins natural radiance and diminish any imperfections to leave you with smooth, effortlessly beautiful skin.

Topical Treatments

Using skin care products specifically designed for your skin type and condition is incredibly important as every complexion requires a slightly different approach for it to remain healthy.

On your first consultation and skin analysis with Dr. Fay of Cosmetic Doctor your skin type will be assessed and evaluated, and the optimal products suggested for use.

The ZO Skin Health and ZO Medical ranges each contain an array of issue-specific products designed to target particular skin types and troubles.

Oily, blemish-prone skin needs products that contain ingredients like Salicylic Acid to keep the pores clear; dryer skin needs rich hydrating ingredients to replenish lost moisture.

Alongside your everyday skin care, you need to add some targeted treatments to combat more troublesome issues like uneven pigmentation and breakouts. Sustaining a high standard of skin care maintenance is a sure-fire way of ensuring your skin is as clear as possible and stays that way.

Sufficient Sleep

Sleep is an incredibly important factor for the skin as this is the time when it goes into repair and restoration overdrive. If you don’t get the recommended minimum of seven hours a night, this process can’t be completed properly and therefore the skin doesn’t regenerate as well as it could.

This leaves you with dry, dull looking skin that needs even more of your attention during the day so try your best to get as much good, uninterrupted sleep as you can. To boost your skin’s night time cycle you should apply an overnight treatment, like a Retinol based serum or a mildly exfoliating cream, to help your skin out when it is looking a little worse for wear.

There are a variety of masks and peels available from Cosmetic Doctor that can peel away dead cells; blemishes and pigmentation marks to reveal smooth, even-toned skin beneath. Ideal as a quick-fix, you can discover more by calling Cosmetic Doctor on 01 685 3100.