Welcome to your ultimate skincare reset! As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to revamp our skincare routines with goals that not only enhance our natural beauty but also promote long-term skin health. Whether you’re a skincare novice or a seasoned enthusiast, these ten simple yet impactful skincare goals will guide you through creating a routine that is both effective and sustainable
Table of Contents
10 Must-Try Skincare Resolutions
1. Make Sunscreen Your Best Friend
Remember, sunscreen isn’t just for sunny beach outings! Wearing sunscreen every day is a game-changer for your skin. It shields you from UVA and UVB rays, the culprits behind sunspots and early signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots. To keep your skin looking young and damage-free, go for sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher. And don’t skip it—even on cloudy days, those harmful rays can reach your skin.
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2. Catch Those Zzz’s
Getting a good night’s sleep is more powerful for your skin than you might think. When you sleep for at least 7 hours each night, you give your skin the chance to heal itself from the day’s wear and tear.
When we sleep, the skin goes through a regenerative process, where it can repair itself from sun damage and pollution. This is why many people show the most improvement in their skin when they are getting enough sleep.
Sleep deprivation can dry and dull skin, which is definitely not a good look. Stress and lack of sleep can also cause breakouts. So, if your skincare routine could use a little improvement, try getting more sleep at night and see how it affects your appearance.
Ensure your bedroom is a sleep-friendly zone — keep it cool, dark, and quiet. And stick to a consistent bedtime to maximize the benefits for your skin. Happy snoozing!
3. Less Is More
If you think beauty products are the only way to get great skin, I’m here to tell you that’s not true. Granted, I do think that certain products—like moisturizer and sunscreen—can help your skin look more hydrated and dewy, but research has found that you can’t necessarily improve your skin by smothering it in over-the-top products.
That means you should try to use only the amount of product you need to achieve the look you’re going for. That might be a little less than what your favorite beauty guru uses in a tutorial, and that’s okay. The number of products you use should be very minimal—just enough to get the job done.
When you often use so many skincare products in your routine, you irritate your skin, which can actually have the opposite effect you were going for in the first place. By using too many products, you might be making your skin look dull and dry by over-drying it, which can also lead to breakouts and irritation.
So my advice is to try to use less product than usual and keep it minimal! You never know what might happen. Your skin could look better by using less product rather than more.
4. Introduce a Retinoid
Retinoids are the number one skincare ingredient, and there’s a reason it consistently makes the list of the best skin care products. They are vitamin A derivatives that many dermatologists recommend because they’ve been proven to reduce signs of aging. Retinoids are definitely one of the best ingredients to invest in if you want great skin this year!
Retinoids help speed up cell turnover, which means they can prevent signs of aging and help even out your skin tone. They also help your skin produce more collagen, giving you younger-looking skin over time. They also help fight against acne by getting rid of blackheads and whiteheads.
While very beneficial in our skincare routine, retinoids can sometimes be a little intense, causing dryness and irritation to the skin. If that happens to you, try using less product or mixing it with your moisturizer. You can also start slowly by only using it every other day for a week or two, then build your way up until you’re using it every night if your skin can handle it. Taking breaks from retinol is also another great strategy to help avoid irritation.
Best Retinol Serums For Beginners
Related Post: How to pick the right retinoid for you
5. Add an Antioxidant Serum
Antioxidant serums are vital for defending your skin against environmental damage and aging. Ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, and resveratrol help fight off free radicals and boost collagen production, which keeps your skin firm and youthful.
Incorporating these powerful products can make a noticeable difference in your skin’s health and appearance, providing a brighter, clearer, and more youthful complexion. Start integrating them into your routine and see the transformative results for yourself.
Awesome Antioxidant Serum recommendations
6. Always Remove Makeup Before Bed
Make it a rule never to go to bed with makeup on. No matter how tired you are, spend a few minutes removing your makeup and cleansing your face. This simple step prevents clogged pores and breakouts, allowing your skin to breathe and heal while sleeping. Think of it as clearing the day off your face and giving your skin a fresh start every night.
If not removed, makeup can trap dirt and oil, leading to breakouts. For oily and acne-prone girls like me, this is a big no-no, as it can clog our finicky pores and make us more acne-prone.
So, my simple advice is to make sure you remove your makeup before going to bed, as this puts you in a better position to have healthy skin.
Best Makeup removing Balms
7. Gentle Cleansing is Key
Cleaning your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Your morning cleanse will give you a clean slate for the day, while the evening cleanse will rid the skin of pollutants and impurities from the day.
A gentle cleanser removes impurities and excess oils without stripping away the moisture your skin needs. It keeps your skin’s natural oils intact, supporting a healthy skin barrier.
Make sure to pick a cleanser that matches your skin type to get the best results and maintain your skin’s natural balance. Choosing the right gentle cleanser is a simple step that can make a big difference in your skin’s health and appearance.
Awesome Gentle Cleanser recommendations
8. Exfoliate Regularly
Regular exfoliation should be an integral part of your skincare routine this year. Exfoliating your skin once or twice a week is a game-changer for keeping your complexion bright and fresh. It removes dead skin cells, which not only revives dull skin but also helps your other skincare products work better by allowing them to penetrate more deeply.
Exfoliation also helps to unclog pores! It allows the skin to breathe and brings out a natural, healthy glow. When we were younger, our skin renewed itself quickly, but with age, we need to give it some assistance, or else we will be left with very dull skin.
We can exfoliate in several ways, such as chemical or manual/physical exfoliation. With physical exfoliation, you use a scrub or a sponge to remove dead skin cells. With chemical exfoliation, you use a product containing ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid to dissolve the bonds that hold skin cells together.
So this year, make it a habit to exfoliate your skin at least once or twice weekly.
Awesome exfoliants recommendations
9. Moisturize Every Time You Wash
Regardless of the season, skin type, and facial cleanser you use, you should moisturize your skin after every wash. Moisturizers help the skin by infusing moisture and sealing that moisture in. This reduces the evaporation of water from the skin, thus preserving its elasticity and suppleness.
Moisturizing your skin is an excellent daily skincare habit. You don’t need to apply a thick layer, just enough for the skin to absorb. You also want to be sure to pick a moisturizer that is best for your skin type and skin concerns.
I totally recommend regular moisturizing as a part of your skincare goals this year!
Awesome facial moisturizer recommendations
10. Ditch the Cigarettes and Cut Back on Alcohol
Leaving behind cigarettes and moderating your alcohol intake are two of the most impactful changes you can make for your skin this year. Smoking and heavy drinking are major culprits in accelerating the aging process of your skin.
They contribute to wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, and a lackluster complexion. Making these lifestyle changes can dramatically improve the health and appearance of your skin. Quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol will not only make you feel better but also allow your skin to heal and regenerate more effectively.
Final Take Home
As we embrace a fresh start this year, adopting these ten skincare goals will not only rejuvenate your skin but also enhance your overall well-being. From protecting your skin with daily sunscreen and getting ample sleep to embracing minimalism in your routine and saying no to smoking and excessive alcohol, each step is a building block towards a healthier, more radiant complexion.
Remember, great skincare is not just about adding more products to your routine—it’s about making smarter choices and staying consistent. So, pick a goal or two to focus on, see the difference it makes, and keep building from there. Here’s to a year of loving the skin you’re in!
I’m Dr Janet, a medical doctor, blogger, Youtuber and a mother to two awesome kids. I help women achieve their natural hair, skincare and health goals.
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