The holidays are creeping up—twinkling lights, late-night parties, champagne that never seems to stop flowing, and, to be honest, a fair bit of chaos, too.
Between heavy makeup, endless events, travel plans, and not enough sleep, your skin is about to face its toughest test of the year. This isn’t the time for a simple “maintenance” routine. It’s time for defence mode—think of it as skincare boot camp before the glitter storm hits.
So, ready to bring your glow back before the first toast? Here’s your holiday skincare routine checklist.
1. Hit the Reset Button (Start Two Weeks Before the Parties Kick Off)
Your skin doesn’t need a total overhaul—only a little bit of fine-tuning. A few smart tweaks now can make a world of difference when those busy weeks roll in.
If your routine’s been a little inconsistent—or you’ve been using the same cleanser since last season—it’s time to refresh. Skin naturally renews itself roughly every 28 days, which means that even a couple of weeks of consistent care can make you look noticeably more luminous by the time the decorations go up.
Use a gentle, sulphate-free cleanser (DS Laboratories’ Advanced Clarifying Cleanser could help!) to wash off buildup, pollution, and SPF without leaving your face tight or squeaky. Then, bring hydration back in full force.
Intense heat and extended sun exposure are like moisture thieves. So, layer a hyaluronic acid serum under a lightweight, gel-based or ceramide-rich moisturiser. That combo helps seal in hydration where it matters most. And yes, there’s science behind it—when humidity drops, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) spikes. Ceramides essentially patch those invisible cracks, keeping your barrier strong.
2. Watch Out for “Holiday Skin Triggers”
December is a beautiful disaster for your skin. Stress, sleep deprivation, sugar, and, well, prosecco—it’s a perfect storm.
Late nights: Skimping on sleep slows skin repair and makes puffiness a morning reality. Keep an eye serum in the fridge—peptides will wake you up faster than your first coffee.
Stress: You know that “holiday tension” that builds while you’re juggling shopping, family, and work? It floods your body with cortisol, which can ramp up oil production by 15–20%. Enter niacinamide—a quiet hero that calms inflammation, balances sebum, and makes skin behave.
Dehydration: Festive drinks and salty snacks draw water from your skin. Increase water intake and use a humidifier overnight if you are sleeping in a heavily air-conditioned indoor environment. Also, try layering a hydrating serum under your moisturiser to offset moisture loss.
Travel: Planes and long car rides? They’re moisture killers. After landing, cleanse immediately and apply something barrier-supportive like panthenol or beta-glucan. Your skin will bounce back faster.
3. Exfoliate—But with Restraint
Exfoliation is your best friend and your worst enemy, depending on how you handle it. Overdoing it can cause irritation, especially during summer when the skin barrier is constantly exposed to sun, salt, and heat. The trick is moderation and, certainly, consistency.
Stick to two or three times a week max. Chemical exfoliants like lactic acid or salicylic acid (BHA) are your best bet—they melt away dead cells and help with congestion caused by sweat and humidity without the rough friction your sun-exposed skin doesn’t need.
If your skin feels dull or rough, you need to double down on deep repair immediately after gentle exfoliation. While you opt for light chemical methods to remove dullness, follow up with DS Laboratories’ most intensive facial serum or anti-ageing moisturiser to calm and support the barrier. You’ll wake up with smoother, more even skin—no flaking, no stinging, just glow.
4. Get Your Layers Right
Although skincare layering may sound basic, it’s the sequence that can make or break your results. The general rule is to apply from the thinnest to the thickest consistency.
1. Cleanser – Always start clean.
2. Toner or Essence – Add hydration and prep your skin.
3. Serum – Apply treatments such as antioxidants, peptides, or brightening formulas.
4. Moisturiser – Lock it all in.
5. SPF (AM only) – It’s essential even on cloudy days.
5. Bring in the Antioxidants and Brighteners
Holiday indulgence means oxidative stress is on overdrive, and vitamin C is your go-to here! The gold standard antioxidant that boosts collagen, brightens, and protects. For best results, choose stable, encapsulated forms paired with co-antioxidants like ferulic acid or vitamin E—they work better together, like a power couple. And that’s exactly what skincare products for Christmas should focus heavily on.
Additionally, if you’re fighting uneven tone or dull patches, try niacinamide or tranexamic acid. Both help fade post-acne marks and restore that even, natural glow—the kind that makes people ask if you’ve just come back from vacation (even if you haven’t left your apartment).
6. Don’t Skip SPF—Yes, Even on Cloudy Days (Especially in Summer)
You might think cloudy days are safe, but UV damage doesn’t take a vacation. The summer sun’s UV index is extremely high and can penetrate cloud cover. The combination of high heat and long hours spent outdoors (e.g., at the beach or a braai) significantly increases your sun exposure risk. So, go for SPF 30 at the very least, SPF 50 or higher if you are spending time outdoors.
When selecting your sun protection, look for formulas that match clinical standards. Pick broad-spectrum, water-resistant formulas that are lightweight and makeup-friendly—no ghostly cast, no stickiness. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or heavy sweating.
7. Be Smart About Makeup
Makeup can enhance your glow, but also smother it. What makes the difference is usually hygiene and product quality. So, before party season hits, give your brushes and sponges a deep clean (seriously, they’re dirtier than you think). Toss anything past its expiration date. Choose lightweight, breathable products instead of pore-clogging formulas.
And when you get home—even if it’s 2 AM—double cleanse. First, use an oil-based cleanser to melt makeup, then use your gentle cleanser to remove residue. It’s non-negotiable if you want to avoid January breakouts.
Pro tip: Keep a hydrating mist in your bag. One quick spritz revives both makeup and mood halfway through a long night.
8. Nighttime Is Repair Time
Your skin works hardest while you sleep, and it’s important not to waste those hours! A solid night routine can undo a surprising amount of daytime stress.
Go for products with peptides, ceramides, and, if your skin can handle it, retinoids. Retinoids, especially, are worth the hype—they boost cell turnover and smooth fine lines. Start slowly if you’re new, and always pair with SPF in the morning.
These advanced treatments ensure your skin receives continuous, deep nourishment, giving it everything it needs to wake up revived and calm, ready to face the next day of festive demands.
9. Don’t Forget Everything Below Your Chin
Your holiday skincare shouldn’t stop at your jawline. The neck, chest, and hands age just as fast—sometimes faster. Apply the same diligence below the jawline: exfoliate gently, moisturise, and use SPF on exposed areas.
For lips, a broad-spectrum SPF balm with shea butter or squalane keeps them soft through the intense sun and heat. For hands, choose a non-greasy cream packed with niacinamide and glycerin. These small habits prevent chapping, sunburn, and dullness, maintaining an even glow from head to toe.
10. The Real Secret? Consistency
No miracle cream can make up for inconsistency. You could own the best products on the market, but if they’re sitting unopened, they’re just expensive shelf décor.
Stick with it—morning and night. If you’re adding new DS Laboratories formulas, introduce them gradually and give your skin a week or two to respond. You’ll see more change in 21 days of steady care than in any single “miracle” treatment.
11. Treat It Like Self-Care, Not a Chore
Holiday prep can feel like a marathon. But your Christmas skincare doesn’t have to be another box to tick off—it can be your reset button.
Take five quiet minutes to apply your products mindfully, massage your skin, and breathe deeply. This isn’t vanity—it’s maintenance for your largest organ and a small act of self-respect. Healthy skin reflects balance, not perfection. So make it count. Massage your moisturiser slowly. Breathe. Enjoy the scent, the texture, the pause.
Prepare for the Celebration with DS Laboratories Clinical Formulas
When the lights are twinkling and cameras start flashing, you’ll want your glow to be real—not painted on. This is why preparation matters. By committing to a consistent, science-backed routine—utilising thorough cleansing, potent antioxidants, deep hydration, and non-negotiable sun protection—you equip your complexion to handle every celebration, toast, and early morning.
At DS Laboratories, we create clinical-grade formulas to keep your skin resilient, calm, and luminous—even when life (and your schedule) gets wild. Prepare it now, and you won’t just look ready for the festivities—you’ll feel it.