SPONGELLE

With November behind us and the December shopping season ramping up, we are officially in the midst of the busiest holiday season. These festive celebrations are certainly some of the happiest times of the year, but let’s be honest, they can be a little taxing. First, there’s holiday travel. Three of the busiest travel times take place in November and December, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Last year, 51 million Americans traveled during Thanksgiving, the highest volume in 12 years, and another 107.3 million Americans traveled between December 23 and January 1, the highest rate to date. Then, of course, some of us hosted and prepared Thanksgiving dinner, which seems to be followed almost immediately by the December holidays like Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. This can include its own set of wintery travel and another round of hosting, eclipsed by gift purchases and dinner preparations. In-between celebrating, traveling, or ...

Most of us are familiar with the concept of exfoliation and its benefits. Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outer layer of skin, and it can be a great way to keep skin looking healthy,glowing, and renewed. Exfoliation has added benefits as well, such as increasing blood circulation and helping to absorb other skincare products like moisturizers or serums. Even with all these benefits, however, there are some downsides. Exfoliating too often, too aggressively, or with the wrong products can damage sensitive skin, leaving it dry, inflamed, and irritated. To get the most out of your exfoliating routine while avoiding the pitfalls of improper exfoliation, the American Academy of Dermatology(ADA) suggests keeping in mind the following do’s and don’ts. Do: Be Aware of the Effects of Your Current Skincare Products Some skincare products or prescription medications can cause your face, neck, chest, and back to be extremely sensitive and mo...