Maybe it’s just me, but personally, I think it’s kind of wild that with all of the holiday-themed events, family gatherings, and travel that goes down around this time of the year, there aren’t more articles out in the world about how to keep your skin looking as flawless as possible from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. Because if there’s ever a time when pictures (and posts) are in abundance — and we definitely want as few breakouts (and remnants of them) as possible — now would be it.
Hell, it can be stressful just thinking about how to enjoy sweets, shop for everyone, stay up half of the night watching throwback holiday films, and still have your skin looking healthy at all times. That’s why I decided to hook you up with seven ways that the holiday can potentially wreak havoc on your skin along with some bona fide tips to prevent it from happening. (Thank me later!)
7 Holiday Habits That Can Wreck Your Skin—And How To Fix It
1. Stress Can Increase Inflammation
Okay, so let’s do it this way: since one reputable study revealed that only 10 percent of individuals profess to experience zero stress during the holiday season, that is why I decided to lead with stress being a leading skin issue around this time of the year. And just what does it do to your skin exactly?
Well, according to skin experts, when you’re stressed out, that accelerates the adrenaline in your system which can cause your skin to experience inflammation — and that can manifest in a myriad of ways, including potential hives, a breakout of psoriasis or eczema (if that is something that you already deal with), rashes, itchiness and/or skin discoloration.
What to Do About It: When I say that nothing is worth stressing out over, I mean it — and especially not something like the holidays. So, first up, decide that you are going to not try to control what you cannot (person, place, thing, or idea), that you aren’t going to wait until the last minute to get things done, that you are going to have A BUDGET and that you will do things that will encourage you to slow down like pray, meditate, exercise and rest.
Also, prioritize participating in various activities for the sheer pleasure of it. You’d be amazed by how many people end up having a not-so-great holiday season because they were out here making sure that everyone else BUT them enjoyed themselves — and their skin shows it.
2. Alcohol Can Cause Dehydration
Did you know some studies say that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, alcohol consumption goes up a whopping 33 percent? And here’s the thing — since it’s considered to be a diuretic, if you’re tossing too many cocktails back, you could end up dehydrating your skin as well as ending up with inflamed skin (since alcohol triggers the production of antihistamines in your system), dark circles, a dull complexion, and fine lines and wrinkles due to the sleep deprivation that alcohol may cause too.
What to Do About It: The moral of the story here isn’t that you can’t enjoy alcohol during the holidays. Just make sure that you consume it in moderation, which is no more than one drink a day for us and two drinks a day for men; if you do more than this, “chase it down” with a glass of water, and that you proactively keep your skin hydrated.
You can do this by washing your face and body in warm (not hot because it strips skin of moisture) water, that you apply a moisturizer that has water as the first listed ingredient along with humectants such as honey, glycerin, and/or hyaluronic acid; that you do this while your skin is still wet (in order to “trap” the moisture in), and that you sleep with a humidifier in your room.
Photo by 3. Sugar Can Reduce Collagen Levels
Even though the American Heart Association recommends that men have no more than nine teaspoons of sugar a day and women consume no more than six, the average American actually takes in 23 damn teaspoons daily — and that number rises during the holiday season. There are a billion reasons why this is problematic; however, as far as your skin goes, this isn’t good because not only does too much sugar also lead to inflammation, but it can speed up the aging process of your skin as well.
How? Well, two things that help to keep your skin full of elasticity and youth are collagen and elastin. Unfortunately, when sugar gets into the mix, it can affect how (and how much) both of these things are produced which can lead to sagging skin, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even some hyperpigmentation.
What to Do About It: I’m pretty sure it goes without saying that one thing that can help to keep sugar from wreaking total havoc on your skin is to eat (and drink) less of it. That said, though, by no means do I think that you should make yourself miserable by not indulging in some hot chocolate, caramel cake, and the cutest turkey legs (made out of Rice Krispies) that I stumbled upon recently (here).
Just don’t overdo it; drink water while you’re eating “it;” increase your antioxidant intake (because that helps to fight off the free radicals that sugar can produce) which means eating more dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, apples, beans, and cranberries; wear sunscreen (the sun also shines in cold weather) to offset potential collagen breakdowns; apply skincare products that contain collagen and — I think that you’ll actually like this one — eat some dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate is also loaded with antioxidants; just make sure that it’s the kind that contains at least 60 percent cocoa. In other words, this isn’t a license to go overboard on any leftover Halloween candy, y’all.
4. Dairy Can Trigger Breakouts
Three things that I think folks are gonna debate, diet-wise, at least for the rest of my lifetime, are veganism, caffeine, and dairy. What I mean by that is if you Google any of these topics, you’re going to find pieces that are very much “for” and then others that are totally “against” them. As far as dairy goes, although I do have a weakness for some New York-style pizza and ice cream, oat milk is my milk alternative of choice because I’ve researched what dairy has the potential to do to my system.
Skin-wise? One thing that a lot of health experts can agree on is it can throw your hormone levels off to the point where it could cause acne breakouts — and lawd, who wants that…especially during the holidays?
What to Do About It: If you’re the one who is going to be cooking or baking a lot of the meals, experiment with a milk alternative; these days, there are plenty of options to choose from (click here for a list of over 20 of ‘em). Consume foods that are high in fiber (like squash, collard greens, quinoa, sweet potatoes, and popcorn) so that you’re able to flush toxins out quicker. I will forever sing the praises of taking a magnesium-calcium-zinc supplement because it helps to calm your nerves, reduce stress, and give you a good night’s rest (all of which contribute to having clear skin).
And if you do see a pimple pop up, apply some tea tree oil directly to it. If you do that (and don’t pick at it), you should notice that it’s significantly decreased in size within a day or two. Oh, and if there is some scarring afterwards, vitamin C extract or batana oil can help to soften the appearance of it.
Photo by 5. Cold Weather Can Prematurely Age Skin
The thing about cold weather is it typically lacks humidity. As far as your skin is concerned, if it’s dry all of the time, that can prematurely age it. Aside from that, cold weather can irritate it and cause cracking of your hands, heels, and around your lips as well.
What to Do About It: If you tend to use lighter moisturizers during the hotter months, go with something that’s a bit thicker right through here. Certain skin butters are great (check out “What You Need To Know About Shea, Mango, Kokum & Other Body Butters”), especially when it comes to your body.
If you think that they will be too thick for your face, consider applying skin products that have ceramides in them; they provide a barrier to your skin that helps it retain moisture for longer periods of time. And definitely don’t go out without putting some lip balm on; the kind that has sunscreen in it is most ideal.
6. HVAC Can Cause Fine Lines and Wrinkles
One thing about the fall and winter seasons is you’re going to be spending more time indoors than you would during the spring and summertime. This means that you’re going to be exposed to dry air from your HVAC units which can dry out your skin and cause fine lines and wrinkles as a direct result. Plus, if you already deal with things like eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis, the hot, dry air could make them worse.
What to Do About It: This is another time that a humidifier is certainly going to come in handy. Aside from that, drink lots of water; make sure that you “seal your skin” (which means applying some type of oil to keep your skin moisturized) after getting out of the shower, and don’t spend all of your time indoors. Aside from the dry air potentially doing a number on your skin, indoor air pollution is 2-5 times higher than what’s going on outside.
For the sake of your skin and your overall health and well-being, enjoy some time in the cool air and snow before the turn of the new year (in moderation, of course).
7. A Lack of Sleep Can Result in Dullness, Dryness and Large Pores
One of the reasons why a lot of people find themselves super stressed whenever the holidays roll around is, that so much is going on that they don’t get the 6-8 hours of sleep that they need in order to rejuvenate themselves. Y’all, when you are sleep-deprived, whether it’s immediately or eventually, your skin is going to “tell on you” because it can cause your complexion to appear dull and dry, give you dark circles underneath your eyes, and, since less sleep equals more cortisol (the stress hormone that’s in your body), that can cause an overproduction of sebum which can lead to an appearance of larger pores.
What to Do About It: Try to at least get 6-8 hours in four days a week (if it’s impossible to do seven days right through here), get power naps in when you can; give your face a 15-minute massage a couple of times each week (to keep poor blood circulation from causing your skin to look blotchy); use tea bags on your eyes to reduce the appearance of dark circles and drink herbal tea to relax you, and consume some fruit-infused water throughout the day, so that the water and nutrients from your favorite fruits can combat any dullness and dryness that may have already occurred from the inside out.
Oh, and try to not drink alcohol or consume sugar or caffeine 2-3 hours before bedtime; that will increase your chances of not tossing and turning all night long.
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Skin that doesn’t need a ton of makeup can be yours — yes, even throughout the holidays. All you need is balance and a plan. And hopefully, this holiday skin stress cheat sheet just gave you both. Enjoy!
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Kayla Nicole says she wore a dress that was once worn by Braxton herself for the Halloween costume. “It’s not a secret Toni is more on the petite side. I’m obsessed with all 5’2” of her,” she tells xoNecole via email. “But I’m 5’10'' and not missing any meals, honey, so to my surprise, when I got the dress and it actually fit, I knew it was destiny.”
The episode was the perfect way for the multihyphenate to take control of her own narrative. By addressing the viral moment on her own platform, she was able to stir the conversation and keep the focus on her adoration for Braxton, an artist she says she grew up listening to and who still makes her most-played playlist every year. Elsewhere, she likely would’ve received questions about whether or not the costume was a subliminal aimed at her ex-boyfriend and his pop star fiancée. “I think that people will try to project their own narratives, right?” she said, hinting at this in the episode. “But, for me personally – I think it’s very important to say this in this moment – I’m not in the business of tearing other women down. I’m in the business of celebrating them.”
Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
Despite being the frequent topic of conversation online, Kayla Nicole says she’s learning to take advantage of her growing social media platform without becoming consumed by it. “I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out,” she says.
On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
Throughout each episode, she sips a cocktail and addresses trending topics (even when they involve herself). It’s a platform the Pepperdine University alumnus has been preparing to have since she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism, with a concentration in political science.
“I just knew I was going to end up on a local news network at the head anchor table, breaking high speed chases, and tossing it to the weather girl,” she says. Instead, she ended up working as an assistant at TMZ before covering sports as a freelance reporter. (She’s said she didn’t work for ESPN, despite previous reports saying otherwise.) The Pre-Game combines her love for pop culture and sports in a way that once felt inaccessible to her in traditional media.
She’s not just a podcaster, though. When she’s not behind the mic, taking acting classes or making her New York Fashion Week debut, Kayla Nicole is also busy elevating her wellness brand Tribe Therepē, where she shares her workouts and the workout equipment that helps her look chic while staying fit. She says the brand will add apparel to its line up in early 2026.
“Tribe Therepē has evolved into exactly what I have always envisioned. A community of women who care about being fit not just for the aesthetic, but for their mental and emotional well-being too. It’s grounded. It’s feminine. It’s strong,” she says. “And honestly, it's a reflection of where I am in my life right now. I feel so damn good - mentally, emotionally, and physically. And I am grateful to be in a space where I can pour that love and light back into the community that continues to pour into me.”
Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
Contentment. By definition, it’s the state of not only being “satisfied with what one is or has” but also “not wanting more or anything else.” And you know what? Although it might not be a popular aspiration of many, it is a sign of spiritual maturity on certain levels. After all, it is the Apostle Paul who once said, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content…” (Philippians 4:19 — NKJV).
Being content is about not complaining. Being content is about learning to be comfortable in your present circumstances. Being content is about choosing to find joy and fulfillment, on some level, and in some way, on a daily basis.
Personally, I dig all of this so much because when you have mastered true inner contentment, it creates stability, self-awareness, and a type of resilience that makes you…shoot, powerful beyond measure, if you ask me. Because when someone knows how to “find the good” and “make peace,” regardless of what is going on around them, they truly are unstoppable. Yeah, on so many levels, contentment is the ultimate life hack. It’s something that each and every one of us should aspire to become: completely and genuinely content.
Thanksgiving is basically moments away at this point. In preparation for that time of self-reflection, pour yourself a glass of wine, turn on some soft music, sit on your coach, and then ask yourself, “Am I content?” If you’re not sure (or you need the definition unpacked for you just a bit more), here are seven signs that you may not be…and yet, there is no time like the present to do something about it.
1. You’re Super Impatient
GiphyHonestly, putting another Scripture right here could be all that is needed in order to bring this point to a swift and abrupt end. Which one? I Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter, starts off with “Love is patient” (I Corinthians 13:4). Yeah, if you want to know if you love yourself and love yourself well, how patient are you…including with yourself? Throughout the years, I have shared one of my favorite definitions of "patient" in several different articles: “bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune, delay, hardship, pain, etc., with fortitude and calm and without complaint, anger, or the like.” For me, it’s a blaring reminder that mastering patience isn’t just about waiting (more on that in a sec); it’s about waiting with grace.
Content people can do this because, on some level, they know how to apply the John Piper quote, "God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them." Another way of looking at this is people who can wait well — without complaining or getting annoyed by delays or challenges in the meantime — get that in order for things to truly come together, there are lots of moving parts…some that they don’t even know about. And so, if they want the best outcome, yes, waiting well is oftentimes not just involved; it is required.
Impatient people don’t get any of this. That’s why they are so stressed out all of the time.
2. You’re Worried About Things You Can’t Control
GiphyThis. Past. Election. Chile. And then the cabinet that that man is putting together as we speak? I don’t even want to get my blood pressure up, expounding on it. Let me just pivot by adding one more Scripture — because it is beyond fitting: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34 — NKJV)
Although worrying is something that pretty much everyone does at one point or another, one of my favorite quotes on it is by an American humorist by the name of Erma Bombeck: “Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.” And really, when you stop to really think about worrying, isn’t that the truth? For one thing, all worrying does, by definition, is cause you to torment yourself by focusing on things that aren’t even going to happen (somewhere between 85-90 percent of the time, in fact; there is actually a science on that) or trying to control things that are beyond your control.
If being a worry wart is your internal struggle, my advice would be to look at life this way: If you’re worried that you’re about to get written up for getting to work late again, leave your house earlier — you can control that. On the other hand, if you’re worried that you’re going to get laid off before the holiday season ends, so long as you’ve been doing your best (which is also something that you can control), please put your energy elsewhere because that is something that you can’t control.
And I promise that when you choose to be calm and confident over worrying yourself to death, that can help you to manage what you can’t control so much easier. Oh, and your health will thank you, too, because worry is attached to things like insomnia, muscle tension, headaches, overeating, and drinking too much. All this over things that probably won’t happen in the first place? Yeah, sis…(choose to) relax.
And by choosing to chill out, there is some contentment that follows because you will see the good as much as, if not more than, the potential bad. Trust me.
3. The Past and/or Future Consume You
GiphyOn the heels of the Scripture that I just provided for the previous point, it also applies to this one. You know, back when I was doing some intentional research on forgiveness, I always appreciated the insight of author Gary Zukav: “Forgiveness is accepting that the past cannot change.” While this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t hold people accountable for what they have done, it does help you to be compassionate with those who are truly sorry (check out “Heads Up: It's NOT An Apology If An Amend Isn't Made”) because, no matter what has transpired between you and them, one thing they can’t do is go back into a time machine and change it.
And you know what? When it comes to the mistakes — or, let’s be real, sometimes they are conscious poor decisions — you have made, you can’t either. So, why let their misdeeds or your own consume you to the point of internally destroying you?
Then there’s the future. What if you get robbed? What if your mom gets cancer? What if your husband files for divorce? Girl, if you are caught up in the future that hasn’t even happened yet, you are definitely gonna drive yourself up the wall! And this is why so many mental health experts and platforms are all about encouraging individuals to live in the moment. You can do this by meditating, taking breaks from social media (and the news), journaling, doing things that you enjoy (instead of waiting to put them off), and resting.
Listen, one of the best things about choosing to only focus on the here and now is you can find little things about it to be content with — and that helps you to be/become more content overall.
4. You Always Think About Wanting More
GiphyAlthough it certainly wasn’t my plan for this piece to be so Scripture-heavy, I’ve got to flow with what immediately comes to mind and, for this point, the verse, “So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners” (Proverbs 1:19 — NKJV) is it. And just what does it mean to be greedy? A greedy individual isn’t just low-key obsessed with getting and having more — please catch it — they are also quite EAGER.
Eager folks also tend to be impatient. Eager folks are perceived by others as being very intense (and not in a good way). More times than not, eager folks haven’t really mastered how to take a moment to appreciate what they do have because all they care about is what’s next. And when you’re in a state of that kind of, well, anxiety…how could it not affect your quality of life? I mean, really.
And what if you read all of that and said, “I’m not greedy; I’m just ambitious” — listen, there is nothing wrong with having goals and wanting to obtain them. However, an ambitious individual knows how to find balance. If they get a promotion, they will schedule a vacation to celebrate it. If they just got a new car, they are not in a rush to get a new house until they can financially afford it. If they were just proposed to with a really nice ring, they aren’t hounding their new fiancé about setting a date within the next two weeks.
People who always want more, without taking the time to enjoy what they already have, are never going to be content. Why? Because there is always something else that you can want…even if you don’t need it or it really isn’t the time for it. Meanwhile, content people get that it’s a good thing to not go after everything all of the time; that it’s far wiser to embrace what is already before them — because some folks don’t even have…that.
5. You Compare Yourself to Others
GiphySomething that I actually get asked fairly often is, do I feel “some type of way” that I do so much work in the realm of marriage when I’ve never been married myself. The short answer is “absolutely not” because I know that I could’ve been married, a few times over, at this point; however, I am just as intentional about not wanting to be divorced as I am about being in a healthy marriage, not just “a marriage.”
I’m grateful to be in that head and heart space too; otherwise, I would be out here comparing myself to other people — and there is nothing good, healthy, wise, profitable, or beneficial about doing that. In fact, science isn’t a fan of playing the “keeping up with the Joneses” game, either.
According to science, that can ultimately do things like lower your self-esteem, cause you to only see the bad/negative things in your world (in comparison to other people), and it can jack up your perception of what’s really going on with other people. For instance, if you’re 33 and comparing yourself to your friends who are already married and parents, you might want to talk to them about what their day-to-day, beyond their IG posts, is like.
Because while prayerfully, their life is filled with many blessings, if they are being totally honest with you, they will also share that you’ve got some “pros” to your life too (honey, there are some real benefits to being single; check out “If You're Not In Love With Being Single, Ask Yourself These 6 Questions.,” “10 Bona Fide Benefits Of Being Single,” and “10 Words That'll Make You Totally Rethink The Word 'Single'”). Content people get that every season does — because it’s true.
6. You Don’t Verbalize Gratitude Often
GiphyThere is someone in my world who I actually try to avoid as much as possible. It’s not that she’s not smart, and honestly, she’s one of the funniest individuals that I’ve ever known (and I’ve known her for most of my adult life). It’s just that…she is always wanting something, and I find that to make her a very draining individual. Lawd, even as I am typing all of this out, I’m trying to recall a time when I’ve heard her say, “thank you” for something (no joke), let alone express any form of genuine gratitude. She’s just got such a sense of entitlement that whatever she does receive, she thinks she’s owed and what she doesn’t have, she believes that something is wrong if it hasn’t arrived yet. Geeze, what a horrible type of existence.
You don’t have to take my word for it either because there is plenty of data out here to support that people who don’t take the time to be grateful for what they have ended up being unhappy, more stressed out, in more physical pain (yes, literally) and definitely more negative than everyone else — which would explain why people don’t like hanging out with them as much.
So, since this is the time when gratitude is the theme of the season, think about what you are grateful for when it comes to what you’ve accomplished this year, then write it down and post it up somewhere. Then, as far as the individuals, for whom you are grateful for — send them a handwritten note, get them a gift card to their favorite coffee shop, or even just call to tell them.
One of the most beautiful things about being in a state of contentment is it reminds you of a lot of what you already have. It really is enough…for now…in this very moment.
7. Being (and Living) Satisfied Is a Foreign Concept to You
Giphy“Tubi movies” really is a complete sentence. LOL. And yes, sometimes, when I’m taking a writing break, I will check out some of the most…I-wouldn’t-normally ones, just to lend my support. In walks Never Satisfied with its own self-explanatory meaning. Y’all, it really is oh so true that there are folks out here dealing with some unpredictable and sometimes even truly dire consequences — and it’s all because they didn’t know how to sit down somewhere and learn how to be satisfied with the people, places, things, and ideas that they already have.
That said, I am indeed a quotes gal, and one of my favorites on the topic of satisfaction is by actor Christopher Reeve: “Success is finding satisfaction in giving a little more than you take,” and although I don’t do what I’m about to do often (because I try to take Matthew 6:1-4 very literally and seriously), I’m going to illustrate what he said about satisfaction by sharing a recent situation.
This past week, a nurse practitioner (I prefer those to doctors) diagnosed me with wrist tendonitis for the first time in my life. If you knew how many keystrokes that I do a day, you’d probably be shocked that it took this long. Anyway, as I was waiting in line to get a prescription, a young Black man was basically freaking out because his insurance was refusing to cover his own meds. According to what he was telling the pharmacist, he always only pays $5; however, this time, they were charging $62, he simply didn’t have it, and the insurance company was not picking up.
As I watched him shaking and sweating while saying that he really needed it today and fretting while talking to his mom on the phone, I offered to cover it — and after going back and forth with him for about three minutes, I did. In my mind, although I didn’t plan on spending about $85 (total) that day, the little inconvenience that it was costing me was nothing in comparison to how much it was going to benefit him — I could tell from how he and his mother reacted (even the pharmacist mouthed “thank you so much”), and that is what made it money well spent.
To help someone who had no way of helping themselves in the moment? That brought me a lot of satisfaction because it’s nice to lighten someone’s load while leaving it to karma to handle it. ALL OF IT.
And that’s why I thought it was best to wrap all of this up with a reminder that being satisfied is being content. And when you can be so satisfied with your life that you want to help others? That is a level of contentment that is truly unmatched because you start looking for ways to bless others simply so that they can feel just as content as you do.
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Our culture? It really is never satisfied, which explains why a lot of people are so miserable. SMDH. You don’t have to be like the masses, though. This Thanksgiving, please purpose in your mind (and heart) to be(come) more content. It will make you a rare gem that benefits everyone and everything around you.
Including yourself, sis. No doubt about it.
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Originally published on November 28, 2024