But are you aware your festive favourites could be sneakily ageing your skin? That’s right, while your taste buds are celebrating, your skin might be paying the price.
But don’t panic. We’re not here to be Scrooge about Christmas. But if you’ve been wondering why fine lines and wrinkles seem to pop up faster than Aunt Mary’s questionable Christmas jokes, we’ve got answers.
The Sugar Skin Saga
Let’s start with the sweet stuff. Christmas pud, chocolate boxes, and endless dessert spreads are all part of the festive fun. But sugar has a dark side. It triggers a process called glycation, where sugar molecules latch onto proteins in your skin like an unwanted guest. The result? Collagen and elastin—your skin’s natural scaffolding—get stiff and brittle. Goodbye, bounce. Hello, wrinkles.
Dr. Laura Geige, Senior Aesthetic Expert at It’s Me and You Aesthetic Clinic, explains: “Excess sugar can speed up skin ageing by damaging collagen and elastin. These are the proteins that keep your skin firm and smooth. The good news? Reducing sugar intake and using collagen-boosting skincare can help minimise the effects.”
Swap out sugar where you can. Try fruit platters instead of cake, or dark chocolate instead of milk. Your skin will thank you—plus, you’ll feel a little less like the Christmas pudding itself.
Alcohol: Festive Cheer or Skin’s Worst Nightmare?
A Christmas without booze is like a cracker without a bang, right? But alcohol dehydrates your skin faster than you can say “cheers.”
Dehydration leaves your skin looking dull, tired, and more prone to fine lines. And let’s not forget the sugar content in those festive cocktails—talk about a double whammy!
Dr. Rimas Geiga, Senior Medical Expert at the clinic warns: “Alcohol doesn’t just dry out your skin; it also inflames it, too. This can break down collagen over time, leading to sagging and fine lines. Balancing alcohol with water and hydrating skincare can help counteract its effects.”
For every glass of wine, have a glass of water. Better yet, swap the cocktails for mocktails. Trust us, your skin (and your liver) will love you for it.
Too Much Salt: The Wrinkle Culprit You Didn’t See Coming
Those crisps, stuffing, and pigs in blankets might taste heavenly, but they’re loaded with salt. Salt makes your body retain water, which sounds good… until you realise it shows up as puffiness under your eyes and bloating in your face. Not the festive glow you were going for, is it?
Dr. Snieguole Geige, Medical Director at the clinic advises: “Salt dehydrates your body, which can lead to swollen, puffy skin. Over time, dehydration also affects elasticity, making fine lines more noticeable. Keeping hydrated and using products with hyaluronic acid can help maintain a plump, youthful look.”
Cut back on salty snacks and load up on potassium-rich foods such as bananas and spinach. They help counteract the effects of sodium in your diet.
Stress Eating: A Recipe for Wrinkles
The festive season is joyful, but it’s also stressful—shopping sprees, family feuds, and endless to-do lists. Stress causes your body to release cortisol, a hormone that breaks down collagen and accelerates ageing. And what do we do when we’re stressed? We eat. Usually, the wrong things, unfortunately.
Birute Sutkiene a Marketing Lead at the clinic says: “Stress eating is common during Christmas. Unfortunately, it often involves sugary or salty foods, which only compound skin issues. Managing stress is key—not just for your skin but for your overall health.”
Swap stress eating for stress-busting. Try a brisk winter walk, meditation, or even belting out Last Christmas in the shower.
Bounce Back with Smart Skin Solutions
Worried your Christmas dinner is showing up on your face? Don’t fret. You don’t have to ditch the mince pies and prosecco completely. But balance is key—and so is looking after your skin. Dr. Laura Geige suggests: “Investing in treatments like hydrating facials or dermal fillers can help combat the visible effects of diet-related ageing. They work to plump, smooth, and restore your skin’s youthful glow, even after the indulgences of Christmas.”
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