Fact or myth: the impact of the holidays on your skin

‍With the end of the year in sight, we, as dermatologists, would like to ask ourselves what such festivities actually do to our skin? Let's look at some of the statements from a dermatological point of view: where does the fact stop and the fable begin?

Without judging, we look at what impact certain things have on our skin*. Feel free to take them along as handy advice, but be sure to celebrate the end of year celebrations well.

*Who knows, you might even be able to unpack it at the Christmas table.

Myth 1: Alcohol gives you pimples

A fable with a particle of truth. If you are prone to acne, drinking alcohol will worsen your symptoms, but that's essentially not what alcohol does to your skin.

What, then, is the whole truth? That alcohol interferes with the production of skin cells and thus weakens the skin. This is because alcoholic drinks contain a lot of sugars. These sugars settle on the collagen, causing it to harden and no longer recover.

And collagen is something you don't want to miss: the structural protein produces new skin cells so that your skin stays firm, young and healthy. Without these cells, your skin becomes dull and dry and wrinkles or sagging become visible. So do you just look lousy and pale after a party? Then, in addition to the hangover, this may also be due to poor cell renewal.

Verdict: myth, but alcohol does have an impact on your skin.

Myth 2: The stress of the holidays is on your face

That's right. Your skin responds very quickly to stress. Recipes that look easier than they are, the pressure to be the hostess with the mostess, and those presents - will they arrive on time? It makes your skin just as restless as you do.

This is because when stressed, cortisol rushes through your body, a stress hormone that, like all hormones, has an impact on your skin. On the one hand, this leads to impurities and, on the other hand, to collagen damage. Which, as you could just read, dehydrates and dulls your skin. Pimples, grey skin and puffiness, so you owe them all to the Christmas stress.

Verdict: fact.

Myth 3: Christmas tree tickles your head

For some, this is figuratively true (cf. The Grinch), unfortunately also literally for others. They suffer from a Christmas tree allergy. Yes, that exists. Researchers are not yet in agreement about where the itch comes from: either it has to do with the resin of the stem itself, or it looks more like hay fever and we are looking at forest pollen that sticks to the resin. Anyway, the allergy overstimulates the skin and leads to irritations that can range from jitters, to itching, to rashes.

Verdict: fact.

Myth 4: makeup doesn't hurt if you only do it for Christmas and New Year

People who wear makeup often know that they need to cleanse properly. This is because makeup lays a layer on your skin so that the moisture balance cannot remain in balance. That is why the skin will produce extra sebum, which will clog and widen the pores.

But if you only do that once or twice a year, that doesn't hurt, right? If you only wear makeup at the end of year parties, there is a risk that your cosmetics have been there for a while. And those old cosmetics contain a lot of bacteria and fungi. As a result, your skin becomes restless and irritated, with the risk of rash or even allergic reactions.

Do you want to test whether your products are still safe to use? Then apply a small amount to your forearm and wait for your skin to react.

Verdict: fable.

Myth 5: Eating a lot is bad for your skin

One of the joys of the holidays is that we get to eat a lot and well. And we have good news: you can actually eat as much as you want during the holidays. How much you eat does not in itself have a negative impact on your skin. What you eat, on the other hand, does of course play an important role.

And we immediately have a downside: during the end of the year, we eat saturated fats and sugars more often than usual. What do they do to your skin?

Saturated fats

Your skin has two layers, topped with a layer of fat that holds water. It is also recommended to keep that fat layer firm. So when you eat the right fats, it's good for your skin. Just think of fish, nuts or avocados.

Chips and fried snacks, on the other hand, contain saturated fats. And they tell a completely different story: they only promote complaints such as acne and rosacea.

Sugars

As mentioned earlier, sugars impair your collagen. Remember, the protein that ensures that your skin's firmness and health remain intact.

Verdict: myth, it's rather what you eat that determines how your skin reacts.

We wish you happy holidays and good health for 2023, so we wish you wouldn't need dermatological care in the new year, but stand with Skindr always there for you quickly if that is the case.

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