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Z(it) Happens

Holiday Breakouts Are Predictable — Here's the Data Behind Why and What to Do

29 December, 2025

by Valeriya Chupinina

There's a kind of breakout that shows up around the holidays that just feels different. Not intense. Your skin isn't spiraling — it's just not bouncing back the way it normally does.

That usually means something shifted — sleep got shorter, travel picked up, or stress crept in or even your products got heavier. When enough of that overlaps, skin reacts. And once you see that pattern, it gets a lot easier to figure out what actually helps.

Credit: Instagram

Every year around the holidays, the same thing tends to happen. Skin that's been relatively steady starts to feel unpredictable. Congestion shows up. Breakouts linger. And a lot of people start wondering what suddenly changed. It's common enough that it almost feels expected — but it isn't random.

The holidays bring lifestyle shifts most of us don't have much control over. Later nights. Richer foods. Packed schedules. Travel. Heavier makeup. When all of that stacks together, skin reacts. Not because something is wrong, but because the rhythm it's used to has changed.

Here's why this tends to show up at the end of the year, and what actually helps.

1. Sugar Intake Rises

Cookies, cocktails, celebratory meals — it's all part of the season. For some people, higher sugar intake can push oil production up. When that extra oil mixes with sweat, makeup, and long days, pores have more to deal with. Congestion follows.

2. Sleep Gets Irregular

Late nights, early flights, end-of-year deadlines. Sleep usually takes a hit. When rest becomes inconsistent, the skin's overnight repair process isn't as efficient. Over time, that can show up as dullness, inflammation, or breakouts that take longer to calm down.

3. Travel Dries the Skin Out

Airplane cabins are extremely dry. Skin loses moisture quickly, and when the barrier feels compromised, oil production often increases to compensate. Dry on the surface, oily underneath. That combination makes congestion more likely.

4. Makeup Lasts Longer Than Usual

Holiday events usually mean heavier makeup and longer wear. These formulas do their job, but they also trap oil, sweat, and debris if they're not removed thoroughly. When residue builds up, pores feel it — especially along the chin and jawline.

5. Stress Adds to the Load

Even good stress counts, whether it's traveling, hosting, planning, trying to fit everything in. Cortisol still rises, whether you're excited or overwhelmed. And when cortisol goes up, inflammation and oil activity often follow.

What Helps

There's no need to overhaul your routine during the busiest time of year. These small adjustments go further:

  • Cleanse thoroughly at night. Especially if you're wearing more makeup.

  • Support hydration — a healthy barrier stays calmer through environmental changes.

  • Exfoliate gently (two to three times per week is usually enough)

  • Keep targeted treatments nearby like Banu's Sulfur Spot Acne Treatment so small breakouts don't escalate.

  • Take care of the basics underneath it all — sleep, hydration, regular meals.

Holiday breakouts aren't a failure. They're feedback. If you want products that actually work with your skin during moments like this, banu was created with that in mind. Each formula is tested on acne-prone skin and made without pore-clogging ingredients, so treating breakouts doesn't come at the expense of your skin barrier.

Author

Valeriya Chupinina

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