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The Post-Holiday Skin Reset: How to Restore Balance After the Season

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Winter Weather and Laser Treatments

The weeks surrounding the holidays are often hard on the skin. Travel, stress, disrupted routines, heavier makeup, cold weather, and indoor heating can all take a toll. By late December, many people notice their skin feels dull, dry, congested, or irritated.

A post-holiday skin reset isn’t about aggressive correction or over-exfoliating to “undo” the season. It’s about restoring balance, repairing the barrier, and setting the skin up for healthier, more predictable results moving forward. When it comes to long-term skincare health, balance is everything.

What the Holidays Do to Your Skin

Several factors contribute to post-holiday skin concerns:

  • Dehydration from cold air, indoor heat, and travel
  • Barrier disruption from inconsistent skincare routines
  • Congestion from heavier products and long-wear makeup
  • Inflammation related to stress, lack of sleep, and environmental exposure

Together, these changes can lead to dryness, uneven texture, breakouts, redness, and a generally tired appearance.

The Best Treatments to Reset and Rebalance Skin

Hydrafacial Booster Options at Simply Derm.

Hydrafacial
An ideal starting point for a reset. Hydrafacial deeply cleanses, clears buildup, and restores hydration, helping the skin feel smoother and more balanced almost immediately. With custom boosters and additional add-ons, there is a Hydrafacial for everyone.

Salt Facial
This three-step treatment gently resurfaces dull skin while supporting repair. The exfoliation step removes buildup, the ultrasound phase boosts hydration, and the LED component helps calm inflammation. It’s an excellent option for restoring glow without irritating compromised skin. This medical-grade facial will leave you instantly glowing and has long-term results!

LED Light Therapy for collagen stimulation

LED Light Therapy
LED light therapy reduces inflammation and redness while supporting healing and collagen production. It’s especially beneficial after periods of stress, travel, or environmental exposure and can be repeated safely.

Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning removes surface buildup and dead skin cells that can trap dryness and dullness. It improves product absorption and leaves the skin looking smoother and more even. Try our Dermaplane facial for the ultimate reset, or add on a dermaplane session to any treatment.

AquaGold Facial
Aquagold enhances hydration and radiance while improving overall skin quality. It works well as part of a reset strategy when the goal is refinement rather than correction. Looking for an even more refreshed look? Add on Botox, PRP, or both for an even deeper and long-lasting glow.

Woman Getting Aquagold applied to her Face

FAQs About a Skin Reset

What Not to Do to Your Skin During a Reset

After the holidays, it’s tempting to do too much too quickly. To avoid setbacks, it’s best to avoid:

  • Jumping straight into aggressive treatments
  • Over-exfoliating to “fix” dullness
  • Introducing multiple new products at once
  • Mistaking irritation for progress
  • Skipping barrier repair in favor of actives

A reset works best when the focus is on calming and stabilizing first.

Hand picking up the Simply Serum Hyaluronic Acid + B5 Serum from the Simply Collection

Resetting Your At-Home Routine

Consistency and simplicity are key after the holidays. A supportive routine helps repair the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and reinforce the results of in-office treatments.

AM Routine
  • CE + Ferulic provides antioxidant protection to help defend the skin against environmental stressors while supporting overall skin resilience during winter months.
  • Vitamin B3 Serum helps calm redness, support barrier repair, and improve overall skin balance.
  • Hyaluronic + B5 Serum: Draws hydration into the skin and helps maintain moisture levels.
  • Simply Cream: A rich moisturizer that reinforces the skin barrier.
  • Mineral sunscreen (Sheer, Tinted, or Matte Tinted). Even in the colder, overcast months, sunscreen is a non-negotiable. It protects against UV exposure year-round, which is essential for preventing inflammation and barrier disruption.
Dynamic Duo from the Simply Collection. CE + Ferulic and Collagen Complex
PM Routine
  • Gentle cleanser (Simply Oil, Simply Clay, or Simply Aqua): Cleanses the skin without stripping moisture, helping preserve the barrier while removing makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup.
  • Vitamin B3 Serum or Hyaluronic + B5 Serum: Supports overnight repair by calming irritation or replenishing hydration, depending on what the skin needs most.
  • Simply Cream: Provides a nourishing base layer that supports barrier recovery while the skin rests and regenerates overnight.
  • Facial Oil layered over the cream to seal in moisture and support the barrier

When to Reintroduce Corrective Treatments

A proper reset prepares the skin for future treatments. Once hydration and barrier function are restored, the skin responds more predictably to lasers, tightening treatments, and injectables. Taking time to rebalance first often leads to better results and fewer complications.

How Long a Skin Reset Takes

Some improvements, like hydration and glow, can be seen quickly. Others, such as texture refinement or reduced inflammation, take more time. Gradual progress is expected and often leads to more lasting improvement.

When to Seek Professional Guidance

If redness, congestion, or irritation persist despite a simplified routine, it may be time for a professional evaluation. A customized treatment plan can help address underlying issues and guide the next steps safely and effectively.

Balance is Everything

Post-holiday skin concerns are common, but they don’t require drastic measures. With the right combination of calming treatments and a supportive routine, skin can regain balance, comfort, and clarity as the season shifts.

Schedule your post-holiday skin reset by calling 631-377-7241.

Other blogs you might like to check out: Sensitive Skin Season: How to Calm, Repair, and Prevent Winter Flare-Ups and Winter Laser Guide: Which Laser Treatment Is Right for Your Skin?

-Dr. Papantoniou

Book an appointment with Simply Dermatology

Winter Laser Guide: Which Laser Treatment Is Right for Your Skin?

Sensitive Skin Season: How to Calm, Repair, and Prevent Winter Flare-Ups

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