10 Easy Ways to Beat Holiday Stress

While the holidays are a cozy time filled loved ones and special gifts, the added to-do’s can also make us feel stressed and overwhelmed. Fortunately, the Biossance social team is here to help. Between ever-evolving algorithms and a constantly shifting work environment, their need to decompress at the end of a crazy workday has made them selfcare experts. Here are their 10 tried-and-true tips for squeezing in a soothing moment during the holidays.

1. Add stress-busting ingredients to your nightly routine.

Using lavender oil, taking an epsom salt bath, and using skincare ingredients known to combat stress — such as ectoin – can help you unwind and promote restful sleep.

“Our new Ectoin Overnight Rescue is so hydrating and luxurious,” says Social Media Manager Gino Intrabartolo. “It contains ectoin and magnesium, which strengthen the moisture barrier while fighting stress and promoting more restful sleep. It’s literally the perfect overnight mask for when you need to unwind.”

2. Trade your evening glass of wine for a cup of tea.

Wine can be delicious and may help you temporarily relax, but the sedating effect wears off as the enzymes in your liver metabolize the alcohol. This can lead to a rebound effect where you experience lighter, more disrupted  sleep.

A cup of caffeine-free tea offers a science-backed solution. Not only is curling up with a cup of tea a relaxing way to let go of holiday stress, chamomile tea in particular has been shown to improve sleep.

3. Give yourself an everything shower.

The everything shower quickly became one of our social team’s favorite viral trends this year. If you’re not familiar with it, an everything shower is when you indulge in an evening of at-home selfcare, turning your bathroom into an at-home spa.

“I turn on soft music, give myself a scalp massage, deep condition my hair and exfoliate with our Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub. It leaves my skin so smooth and soft!,” says Content Creator and Producer Jasmine Ou. “I also make sure I leave the bathroom door and windows closed the whole time for an at-home steam room experience.”

4. Stop and smell the roses.

If you’re a fan of our Vitamin C Rose Oil, take your daily application of our cult-favorite facial oil as an opportunity for mindfulness.

“Not only does it instantly brighten, it also smells amazing,” says Gino. “I like to press and hold it onto my face with both hands covering my entire face, then take deep, cleansing breaths for about a minute to get myself grounded.”

5. Get outside.

With days being so short this time of year, after-work outdoor time can be hard to come by.

“It’s so tempting to squeeze every bit of productivity out of your day, but sometimes that’s just not what you need,” says Jasmine. “Spending 10 minutes outdoors – whether it’s going for a short walk or just sitting on the curb – can be really helpful when I’m feeling stressed or creatively blocked.”

6. Start with a Scrub.

Mornings often feel rushed, but that’s never a good feeling on an especially busy day. Set your alarm 2 minutes early and start your day with quick, invigorating exfoliation using our Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub.

In just two minutes, our dual-exfoliating formula will reveal smoother, softer, better hydrated skin. You’ll embark on your day feeling refreshed and ready for whatever lies ahead.

7. Incorporate affirmations into your routine.

“I use my skincare routine as an opportunity to practice positive affirmations,” says Gino. “Each step in my routine is an opportunity to practice self-love, which helps me cope with stress and feel grounded throughout my day.

Our favorite holiday affirmation: I am doing my best, and that is enough.

8. Try skin bathing.

While you do need clean skin to try skin bathing, this celebrity makeup artist hack has nothing to do with taking a bath.

“Skin bathing is when you drench your skin in hydration overnight so that you wake up deeply hydrated, smooth, and glowing,” says Jasmine. “I do it by mixing two times the normal amount of our Ectoin Overnight Rescue and Vitamin C Rose Oil in my palm, then massage the mixture into my face and leave it on overnight. I wake up looking rested and radiant.”

9. Give yourself a facial massage.

Unwinding with a relaxing facial massage will not only help you de-stress, it also boosts circulation to make skin appear lifted and more plump. And while you should absolutely spend a few minutes doing a dedicated facial massage if you have the time, you can also easily incorporate this technique into your skincare routine.

Simply spend 30 seconds to 1 minute massaging your skin with upward strokes after applying your serum. We recommend our silky smooth Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum – or as it’s known on TikTok “nature’s Botox” — instantly plumps and deeply hydrates, amplifying the benefits of facial massage while boosting elasticity over time.

10. Have a “soft night.”

Take a night off from online gift shopping and answering emails and unplug for a soft night.

“It’s all about putting on your coziest sweats, lighting a candle, doing your skincare, and avoiding screens,” says Gino. “Turn your phone off, grab a good book, and check out for the evening. The world will keep turning if you go offline for just one night.