Too little sleep, too much rich/salty food, too many parties to attend, and a way too long to-do list…The holiday season, coupled with the harsh winter environment, can quickly take a toll on skin leaving it dull, dry, chapped and looking gloomy. Dr. Katie Rodan + Dr. Kathy Fields, skincare experts and co-developers of Rodan + Fields discuss some holiday skincare culprits and offer advice on how to keep your skin looking its best.
Tip#1 Get Bright-Eyed:
If you find yourself waking up with that not-so-bright-eyed look, try eliminating salty foods, caffeine and alcohol from your diet as they can cause water retention as well as interfere with sleep cycles. Sleep with head elevated and use a neck pillow to keep the pressure off your face. Rodan + Fields new ACUTE CARE patches help prevent bags and smooth crow’s feet overnight – a great pre-party treatment.
Tip#2 Stay Kissable:
Carry a lip balm with you at all times and apply generously throughout the day. Use a gentle exfoliator (such as Rodan + Fields Lip Micro-Dermabrasion) before bed to remove dead skin cells and a moisturizer (such as Rodan + Fields Lip Renewing Serum) to relieve winter chapping and allow lips to look juicy and kissable. And avoid licking your lips, it only exacerbates the problem! 
Tip#3 Sweep it Away:
Even when you’re not getting enough sleep, let your skin fake a rested look with a dose of a dermatologist level treatment. For at-homeprofessional-level benefits, try Rodan + Fields MACRO Exfoliator. Used for 5 minutes once a week, it takes a week’s worth of dulling dead skin cells and sweeps them away, leaving behind smoother, healthier looking and more luminous skin.
Tip #4 Avoid New Procedures:
Don’t go for any new procedures (peels or laser) or injectable treatments for at least 1-2 weeks before the holidays or events. As Murphy’s Law predicts, “If something can go wrong it will.”
Tip#5 Get Your Glow From a Bottle:
Try a self-tanner to ensure even, natural looking color without exposure to harmful UV rays. It will make you look like you’ve been celebrating in St. Barts. And remember, NEVER, EVER visit a tanning booth, they increase the risk of melanoma, just like the sun.
Tip#6 Keep Acne Flare-Ups in Check:
If you’re acne prone, be proactive and treat skin with a topical treatment containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid before the outbreaks occur. For pimple panic, apply ice buffered by a napkin for 10-15 minutes to reduce redness and telltale swelling. Cleanse and apply a treatment lotion containing sulfur to unclog pores and shrink swelling. Follow with a product containing 1% hydrocortisone or benzoyl peroxide. Finally, apply a thin layer of a medicated concealer.
Tip#7 Say Cheese:
To look your best in holiday photos, turn your body at a slight oblique angle to the camera, chin slightly down, eyes looking up and have the picture shot from above, never below. And before a big party, use Crest White Strips to remove coffee and food stains for a better looking smile.
Tip#8 Don’t Forget Your Hands:
Pre-party prep and post-party dishes split your nails and dry out hands. To keep hands looking their best, wear lined rubber gloves for clean-up. Keep Aquaphor Ointment on nightstand and apply it to nails and cuticles every night to prevent cracking and chipping.
