5 Tips to Help Avoid Breakouts This Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is not only a time to be grateful, but a time to recognize the special people that have made a difference. AcnEase^® would like to thank all of you for your interest in our product and having faith in our commitment to you.

As the holiday season approaches, we become busy with holiday gatherings, shopping, and travel. It’s easy to fall behind in your skincare routine, which is something we work so hard for the rest of the year. While the focus of Thanksgiving is appreciating and celebrating the things we are thankful for, let’s include our skin and nurture it too!

When it comes to our skin this holiday season, it’s easy to slack off in the midst of all the work and festivities. However, it’s critical to the health of your skin that you don’t fall into this trap.

Not only are there many culprits disguised as sweet treats, side dishes loaded with fats and carbs and other holiday fare, there are other factors to contend with as well. These include stress, travel, alcohol, not keeping up with a skincare routine, etc. Here are a few helpful tips to get you through Thanksgiving with the best possible complexion.

During the Big Feast:

Dairy products, especially fat rich cream, butter and cheeses, are always in abundance on Thanksgiving and are hidden in the endless side dishes and desserts. Watch out for creamy casseroles, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, cheesecakes, and other items that contain high amounts of dairy and fat. This may affect the hormonal balance within our bodies and may impact our sebaceous glands by encouraging them to create excess sebum. This excess sebum clogs pores and allows the bacteria that causes acne to flourish. Instead of avoiding dairy products completely, we recommend a moderate intake of only organic dairy products. There are many important vitamins and nutrients found in dairy that have a positive impact on our skin and the benefits far outweigh the negative aspects.

Gobble up the turkey! Turkey contains selenium which is great for your skin. Selenium, a mineral found in the soil, protects the skin from sun damage, reduces inflammation, and increases antioxidant levels which helps prevent blocked pores.

Pass the veggies please! All of the vegetables associated with the holiday feast are fabulous for your skin. The key lies in how they are prepared. Choose steamed, boiled, and sautéed preparations for clear skin. The various vitamins and minerals found in the fall harvest will do wonders for your skin. Here are our favorites and why we love them!

• Pumpkin - Pumpkin contains vitamins A, C, E and K. These vitamins have a profound effect on your skin in terms of skin cell turnover, circulation, collagen production, and smooth skin tone. In addition, pumpkin contains zinc which is especially helpful in regulating sebum production and reducing acne outbreaks.
• Squash - Squash is incredibly high in beta carotene, which is partly responsible for regulating the production of sebum and keeping inflammation to a minimum.
• Sweet Potatoes - Sweet potatoes contain antioxidants, vitamins A and C and also have a low glycemic index, which means they don't have a drastic impact on your blood sugar levels and inflammation.
• Brussel Sprouts - This cruciferous vegetable is high in vitamin C, an antioxidant, promoting collagen production. It is also high in vitamin K, which helps to prevent acne and heal acne scars.
• Green Beans - Green beans are also high in vitamin K.

Be your own bartender! Choose wine or straight alcohol over mixed drinks high in sugar. Red wine is preferred over white unless you have rosacea, in which case avoid red wine. Straight liquor can either be consumed as a shot or over ice. A refreshing blend of alcohol and water with a squeeze of lime or lemon is another suggested way to drink and minimize the impacts on your acne. Citrus contains vitamin C, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which contributes to clear healthy skin. Avoid sugary cocktails which lead to inflammation and exacerbates acne symptoms.

Let others lend a hand. Don't let the stress of the holidays get to you. If you’re the host, let others help by delegating tasks and side dishes and desserts to family members and friends. Most people enjoy being able to help and welcome the opportunity to contribute.

Catch a few Z’s. Try to sneak in a 30 minute nap after the feast. You’ll feel and look better. If the stars don’t align for an afternoon snooze, make sure you get 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. Your skin heals and rejuvenates during these restful hours.

Travel can affect your skincare routine so be sure to plan ahead and pack your skincare products in travel size containers. Give yourself enough time to adhere to your usual routine and as always, include AcnEase^® which will ensure your skin looks its best for the holidays!

AcnEase^® thanks you for your continued commitment to your skin. We are so happy to share our product and expertise with our loyal customers and other interested parties. We love hearing success stories and are motivated on a daily basis by these. Over 96% of our customers have positive results and we are thrilled when we can share these great results with other acne-sufferers. Not only does it ease their frustration, but it also provides them with a source of motivation.

As always, we love hearing from you. Is there anything you’re particularly thankful for that you’d like to share? Have you had a positive experience with your skin? Please share it with us in the comments below.