MERRY AND BRIGHT skin

Houston beauty experts share skincare tips, products, and procedures for an ultra-glam holiday glow

Ah, the holidays. The season ahead can make even the most bah-humbug person feel a bit indulgent. Parties, shopping and extra treats or cocktails (like Emma D'Arcy's TikTok famous "negroni sbagliato with prosecco in it") are par for the course for the next few weeks.

Although finding perfect outfits and presents is important, prepping for a holiday-ready complexion – that doesn't take too long and will counteract all those celebratory indulgences – is essential.

Even the most devout skincare enthusiast may want extra help to look photo and celebration ready, so we sat down with local skincare experts who share tips on how to get and keep a glowing complexion throughout the holiday season.

Customized skincare

SkinCeuticals Skin Lab by Dr. Roth offers a completely customized skincare experience with cutting-edge technology by one of the best medical-grade skincare brands. SkinCeuticals Custom D.O.S.E. (Diagnostic Optimization Serum Experience) is a personalized formula that addresses an individual's unique skin concerns, including discoloration, blemishes or aging skin.

The quick and painless process begins with a customized consultation where a unique serum is identified from over 48 possible combinations with ingredients like glycolic acid, retinol and niacinamide.

"D.O.S.E. streamlines a skincare routine. It is quick and easy, and the serum addresses many concerns," says Tori Lane, product and skincare specialist at SkinCeuticals SkinLab by Dr. Roth. "The serum typically lasts for three months, and it is a great way to incorporate medical-grade skincare into your routine. D.O.S.E. also makes a unique gift at a reasonable price point."

Perfect products

Dr. Quynh-Giao Sartor, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery - West University, recommends incorporating products that lift and smooth the skin. Aside from a broad-spectrum SPF (which everyone should use daily), she recommends three products for a stress-free holiday skincare routine.

A daytime eye cream containing vitamin K, such as the ISDIN Kox Eye cream. This type of cream stimulates lymphatic circulation around the eyes, brightens the appearance of darkness, and decreases eye puffiness.

A nighttime treatment with retinol/retinoid such as SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream or bakuchiol ISDIN Melatonik Recovery night serum to stimulate collagen production and cell turnover, increase skin firmness, improve skin texture and repair photodamage. Bakuchiol is an excellent alternative for those sensitive to retinol/retinoids or for those trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding (retinol/retinoids are unsafe in pregnancy or breastfeeding).

A simple hydrating moisturizer, such as over-the-counter La Roche Posay Double Repair, is suitable for most skin types. It has natural skin healing properties due to its base of prebiotic thermal water.

Non-invasive reatments

During the holiday season, no one has time to recover from elective procedures, so Dr. Edward Lee of Nuveau Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics recommends three treatments to help patients look party-ready with little or no downtime.

BBL HERO is the fastest, most potent IPL in the industry. BBL HERO allows us to treat the entire face and body with four times the speed, three times the peak power and two times the cooling capacity. The result is clearer, smoother and younger appearing skin. BBL HERO can quickly correct vascular lesions, pigmented lesions, sun damage and age spots. Patients can reach outstanding results with minimal to non-existent downtime within as little as a single treatment.

Morpheus 8 is a radio-frequency microneedling fractional skin treatment that stimulates collagen production from the underlying layers of the dermis to reveal a more radiant, youthful appearance. With Morpheus 8, visible results can be seen in as little as a few days and continue to improve for weeks to come. Topical numbing is used during the procedure, and the downtime is about three to four days.

Moxi Non-Ablative Laser gently revitalizes the skin by correcting the initial signs of damage and aging. It is safe for all skin types any time of year and is performed with topical numbing. The downtime can range from zero to two days; makeup is allowed after 24 hours.

Photo by Fleur Kaan

Get a holiday photo and celebration worthy complexion with skincare tips from Houston experts.

beauty

LAUNDRY LOWDOWN

Houston dermatologist's guide to doing laundry for healthier summer skin

Photo by Averie Woodard

Houston's heat and humidity can increase sweat buildup on clothing, towels, bedding, and accessories. A dermatologist shares how often to wash common summer essentials to help prevent skin irritation, breakouts, and other seasonal skin concerns.

Houstonians are familiar with Texas's unofficial fifth season – sweaty season. Rising temperatures, humidity, sunscreen, and the occasional visit to the pool or the beach create the perfect storm for skin irritation. A few extra loads of laundry might not be anyone's idea of summer fun, but healthier skin could make it worth the effort.

Most people know to toss sweaty workout clothes straight into the laundry hamper, but many everyday items don't get the attention they deserve. According to Dr. Radhika Shah of Westlake Dermatology, skipping laundry day could quickly show up on a person's skin.

"Sweat can mix with bacteria and other debris from the skin when it accumulates on clothing, which can lead to odors, skin irritation, and sometimes, infection," Shah tells CultureMap.

The combination of sweat, heat, and moisture can create an environment where several common skin conditions thrive. Shah says she frequently sees issues including acne, folliculitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and yeast-related rashes such as intertrigo and tinea versicolor.

Not all fabrics handle summer heat equally

"People should look for cotton and linen (natural fabrics) over polyester and nylon (synthetic fabrics), as natural fabrics breathe better and tend to release sweat and odors more easily," Shah says.

Many might think that warm weather causes clothing fibers to trap moisture and bacteria more quickly, but Shah explains that how a fabric reacts is heavily dependent on the fabric itself. That means material can make a noticeable difference during Houston's long stretch of heat and humidity.

Laundry routines are important

Summer laundry habits can affect skin health just as much as skincare products. Shah recommends avoiding heavily fragranced detergents whenever possible and skipping fabric softeners altogether.

"Detergents with fragrance can irritate the skin further, especially in those with sensitive skin or eczema," she says. "In addition, I would try to avoid fabric softeners, which can coat fabrics and trap sweat and other skin debris."

While everyone knows to wash underwear and gym clothes on repeat, Shah says there are two commonly overlooked items that deserve more attention.

"Change your pillowcase and your hat," she says. Her recommendation is to wash pillowcases every two to four days and hats after every three to four wears.

The summer washing guide for healthy skin

Not sure how often to wash your favorite warm-weather essentials? Shah offers these guidelines for summer's hottest months.

Swimwear: After every wear. Chlorine, saltwater, sweat, and sunscreen residue can all linger in fabric and irritate skin.
Workout clothes: After every wear. This is non-negotiable during hot summers.
Bras: Every two to three wears.
Sleepwear: Every two to three wears.
Shorts and pants: Every two to three wears.
Dresses: Every two to three wears.
Jeans: Every three to four wears.
Bath towels: After three to four uses.
Beach towels: After every use.
Sheets: Weekly.
Pillowcases: Every two to four days.

Don't forget your beauty tools

Regular maintenance of beauty tools is also important for healthy skin, especially during the summer when sweat and sunscreen use increase. Makeup brushes, especially those used for foundation, concealer, and cream products, can accumulate oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and product buildup. Dermatologists recommend washing foundation and concealer brushes weekly, while powder brushes can typically be cleaned every 1 to 2 weeks.

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