As the festive season brings a whirlwind of indulgent dinners, sweet treats, and celebratory drinks, a skin expert has issued a stark warning: your Christmas favourites could be wreaking havoc on your complexion. Dr Gizem Seymenoglu, a medical aesthetician at the clinic Longevita, cautions that overindulging in traditional holiday foods can trigger inflammatory acne, breakouts, and clogged pores.
The Festive Culprits Behind Skin Breakouts
Dr Gizem Seymenoglu, who shares her expertise on Instagram under the handle @drgizemseymenoglu, explains that several seasonal staples are common triggers for skin issues. The main offenders include sugar-laden desserts, alcoholic beverages, fatty roast dinners, and rich dairy products. Each can disrupt the skin's balance, leading to unwanted flare-ups at the worst possible time.
1. Sugar and Sweet Treats
Christmas tables are laden with puddings, mince pies, and trifles, but these sugary delights come with a cost for your skin. Dr Gizem states that consuming high amounts of sugar causes a spike in blood sugar and insulin. This, in turn, raises levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which stimulates oil glands and can increase androgen activity.
The result is often inflammation, clogged pores, and more frequent breakouts, including whiteheads, blackheads, and inflammatory acne. The expert notes that individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hormonal acne, or insulin resistance may be particularly affected.
To mitigate the impact, she advises enjoying smaller portions, pairing sweets with protein or healthy fats to slow absorption, and staying well-hydrated. Maintaining your regular skincare routine is also crucial to help prevent pores from becoming blocked.
2. Alcohol
Festive tipples can take a serious toll on your skin's health. Alcohol dehydrates the skin, which can trigger the body to produce compensatory oil, leading to excess sebum. It also causes inflammation and redness by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the skin's surface.
Furthermore, alcohol impacts gut and liver function, both vital for hormone metabolism. This disruption can increase cortisol, the body's stress hormone, worsening inflammation. The sugar content in many drinks compounds these negative effects.
Dr Gizem warns that alcohol can exacerbate conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema. Over time, excessive consumption can also accelerate skin ageing through dehydration and collagen breakdown. Her advice is to sip water between alcoholic drinks and practice moderation.
3. Fatty and Greasy Foods
The centrepiece of a Christmas feast—think roast meats, pigs in blankets, and stuffing—is often high in saturated fats. These foods can increase systemic inflammation and boost sebum production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.
For a healthier alternative that still feels festive, Dr Gizem recommends opting for foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, which are excellent for skin health. Skin-friendly snacks such as nuts and dark chocolate can also satisfy cravings without the same risk of triggering acne.
4. Dairy Products
Christmas cheese boards, clotted cream, and eggnog are beloved traditions, but dairy contains natural hormones and IGF-1. These components can stimulate insulin and androgen production, increasing sebum output and making skin oilier, which leads to clogged pores.
Dairy is known to worsen hormonal acne, with whey and skimmed dairy varieties being especially problematic. Breakouts related to dairy often appear along the chin, jawline, and lower half of the face.
To enjoy the festivities without the skin stress, consider skin-friendly swaps. Dr Gizem suggests plant-based milks, nut-based creams, or dairy-free desserts as effective alternatives that can help keep excess oil and breakouts at bay.
Protecting Your Skin This Festive Season
The key message from Dr Gizem Seymenoglu is not to abstain completely but to practice mindful indulgence. By understanding how these festive treats affect your skin, you can make smarter choices. Moderation, strategic pairing of foods, and staying hydrated are the cornerstone strategies.
Prioritising your skincare routine amidst the holiday chaos can also provide a vital defence against clogged pores and inflammation. With a few simple adjustments, you can celebrate the season fully while keeping your skin clear and healthy.
