Post-Holiday Skin Destressers to Glow in 2024

As much joy as the holidays bring, they can be a stressful time of year. In addition to routine responsibilities, December finds most of us overextended with shopping, decorating, cooking, wrapping gifts, and hosting parties or out-of-town guests. Many of us also indulge in rich foods, sweets, and alcohol more than usual, all while getting less sleep.

This added stress comes just as temperatures drop, which can wreak havoc on our health and appearance. By the time January arrives, you may feel like it’s time to push the “reset” button.

41% of U.S. adults report an increase in stress during the holidays. Chances are, you have been neglecting yourself during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and that includes your skin.

The stress of the holidays can trigger skin conditions and flare-ups in eczema, rosacea and acne. Dryness and dehydrated skin are common due to the cold weather, alcohol consumption, lack of proper sleep, and poor diet.

If you are feeling run-down or haggard from the busy holidays, here are some options to jumpstart 2024 with a relaxed attitude and rejuvenated, healthy-looking, glowing skin.

REN Clean Skincare

REN Clean Skincare’s Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk removes dirt, excess oil, makeup, and impurities. With its soft, milky texture, this cleanser is clinically proven to instantly soothe and hydrate, making it perfect for sensitive and irritated skin.

This ultra-gentle formula is infused with nourishing blackcurrant and sea buckthorn oils to lock in moisture and strengthen the skin barrier. Antioxidant fennel seed extract helps protect the skin from further damage from everyday pollutants and free radicals. Microbiome-friendly and cruelty-free, it nourishes and comforts stressed skin without stripping essential oils.

Dr. Dennis Gross

The Stress Rescue Super Serum is a supercharged, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, silky-smooth, fast-absorbing facial serum that combats five signs of stress-induced skin.

Niacinamide (B3) helps the lipid barrier function to retain moisture, improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces the appearance of redness, breakouts, and enlarged pores. Ashwagandha helps skin adapt to stress with potent antibacterial properties while reducing the appearance of fine lines and dark spots. Superfood and adaptogen goji helps reduce redness and protect against oxidative stress while brightening and evening the skin’s tone.

This product is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.

Youth To The People

Youth To The People’s 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum brightens, firms, and depuffs skin in one step. This lightweight, silky serum is fragrance-free, non-sticky, and layers well with other skincare or under makeup without pilling. This first-of-its-kind clinical-grade 15% vitamin C serum is boosted with plant-derived caffeine from superleafs yerba mate and guayusa complex to instantly hydrate and brighten the skin while reducing puffiness and signs of fatigue.

Vitamin C brightens the look of dark spots and gives skin a firmer appearance. Plant caffeine visibly depuffs, evens, and smooths the skin. Antioxidant-rich passion and dragon fruit hydrate and protect against free radicals.

ThisWorks

ThisWorks’ Dream Team is a fast and effective 100% natural fragrance duo designed to lull you into a deep and restorative sleep. Skin cells repair overnight as we sleep, so better sleep means healthier-looking skin.

This duo includes one 5ml stress check roll-on and one 5ml deep sleep pillow spray. Apply the roll-on to pulse points and deeply breathe in a relaxing blend of eucalyptus, frankincense, and lavender oil to help alleviate mental and physical stress. Spritz bedding with the pillow spray and allow the blend of lavender, chamomile, and vetiver to ease you into a restful sleep.

This duo comes in 100% recyclable and compostable boxes. These formulas are cruelty-free with no parabens, sulfates, or GMOs.

Chantecaille

The Stress Repair Concentrate+ Eye Cream is crafted in Switzerland with the highest quality pure botanicals of 89% natural origin. An algae blend creates a smooth film that instantly and visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles as wild indigo extract enhances under-eye luminosity and reduces redness. A blend of hawthorn and Arabian jasmine also improves the appearance of dark circles and visibly lifts the upper eyelid.

Caffeine and peptide-rich bell pepper stem cell extract decrease the appearance of dark circles and under-eye puffiness. Anti-wrinkle hexapeptide and refining lipopeptide soften the appearance of expression lines, frown lines, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds. Orange flower water refreshes and tones, shea butter hydrates and nourishes, and bisabolol softens and soothes dry, tired skin.

Cowshed

Cowshed Sleep Calming Bath Salts ease away the damage of stressed skin below the chin. These luxurious bath salts effortlessly dissolve in warm water to create an indulgent aromatherapy experience to soothe your body and mind.

The aromatic blend of Melissa and lemon myrtle essential oils helps relieve tension and stress. Therapeutic Himalayan Sea Salts promote relaxation and tranquility while nourishing skin with renewing olive squalane and toning neroli. This perfect pre-bedtime ritual is cruelty-free and 100% vegetarian with no parabens, mineral oils, or silicones.

Dr. Hauschka

Dr. Hauschka’s Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil warms, comforts, and protects the skin to prepare it for a good night’s sleep. The pleasant fragrance of essential lavender oil has a balancing, soothing, and relaxing effect on the senses while shea butter helps preserve moisture.

Dermatologist-approved for sensitive skin, this 100% organic and vegan cruelty-free formula is free of synthetic fragrances, dyes, and preservatives as well as mineral oils, silicone, and PEG.

REN Clean Skincare

REN Clean Skincare’s ClearCalm Non-Drying Acne Treatment Gel may be what you are looking for if your skin is prone to breakouts in times of stress. This oil-free acne spot treatment has a soothing, serum-like texture that delivers results quickly without drying skin. The skin is left feeling soothed, calm, and clear without flaking.

This non-comedogenic formula contains 0.5% salicylic acid to clear acne, minimize pore size and redness, and help the skin defend itself against future breakouts. Willow bark helps clear blemishes without irritation while maritime pine and thyme reduce potential scarring and prebiotic chlorella extract re-balances skin. This product is clean, vegan, and cruelty-free.

Clarity RX

The Cold Compress Soothing Cucumber Mask instantly cools on contact, providing relief for sensitive, stressed, or irritated skin. Infused with a blend of plant-based extracts, this gentle gel also helps calm and hydrate stressed-out or inflamed skin over the long term.

Antioxidant-rich cucumber extract has a calming effect on the skin, and high concentrations of ascorbic acid and lactic acid protect from external aggressors. Soothing aloe leaf juice contains enzymes and vitamins A and C, which are all highly anti-inflammatory. Chamomile, another anti-inflammatory, also has antiseptic properties that soothe and comfort stressed skin.

Mario Badescu Skin Care

Mario Badescu‘s Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender is a multi-purpose, vitamin C-infused mist that can be used whenever the skin needs a refreshing and de-stressing boost. Spritz it on your face, neck, or hair for a relaxing wash of hydration and tranquility.

Aloe vera, chamomile extract, and lavender oil soothe, calm, and hydrate the skin while vitamin C with ascorbic acid brightens its tone. Thyme extract clarifies the complexion as mineral-rich seaweed extract softens skin. This vegan formula is suitable for all skin types and is free of parabens, sulfate, and gluten.

Zutta

This Gua Sha and Roller Set includes both tools needed for the age-old Chinese form of facial massage that improves skin with a calming massage. Each tool is made of natural black obsidian volcanic stones, which are believed to cleanse and protect from negative energy, stress, and tension, and each is unique in color and appearance.

The gentle two-part massage is suitable for all skin types and ages and can be added to any skincare routine. Benefits include increased circulation of blood flow to the face and lymphatic drainage that naturally detoxifies the skin, both of which contribute to increased collagen production for improved elasticity, even skin tone, and smoother appearance. It also aids in the absorption of skincare products, so these tools are best used at the end of your skincare routine.

Start with the roller and then move on to the gua sha. Use both with gentle—but firm—pressure in upward motions on the neck (front, sides, and back), jawline, cheeks and cheekbones, forehead, and brows. For a refreshing cooling massage, store both tools in the refrigerator.

For questions, concerns, or article ideas, feel free to reach out to our eCosmetics Beauty Editor directly at beauty@ecosmetics.com