Happy new year! It’s that time for new attitudes, new habits, and new goals! hope that everything you’ve been working towards comes to fruition this year, you make many good memories and move on from the past.
If one of your goals is to up your skin care game in the new year, these are the top priority skin care habits you should keep up year round – starting now!
Use sunscreen daily
By far the best thing you can do for your skin’s appearance and health is to wear sunscreen. UVA rays are present all year round, rain hail or shine, causing ageing and cell damage. But don’t worry! A broad spectrum sunscreen will take care of it. Broad spectrum means it protects from burning UVB rays and ageing UVA rays in proportion, rather than being only partially protective. My favourite face sunscreen is Sunplay Super Block SPF 50+. I put this on every. single. morning. without fail.
Hydration
This is really what I’m going to focus on in the new year – drinking enough water! I suffer from chronic bladder and kidney problems so drinking water makes me feel 100x better. Plus, if you’re consistently dehydrated it’ll show in your skin. Use this calculator to help you figure out what amount you should be drinking. I’ve found that if I have a huge water bottle and fill it up in the morning and at lunch, that helps me keep track of how much I have to drink.
Give your skin a break
If you’re like me and constantly wanting to switch up routines, feeling impatient for results, or just throwing all sorts of stuff on your face, stop! It’s a rookie mistake to get caught up in ‘fixing’ your skin and it’ll be causing you irritation, sensitivity and breakouts. Every once in a while, lay off exfoliation, masks and new products and just let your skin recover and rehydrate. Maybe make Sundays your skin care day off and slather on a good moisturiser and let it chill. After beating severe irritation and dehydration, I now know how much happier your skin will be when you just lay off every once in a while.
Change your sheets + towels frequently
It’s easy to forget this, especially if you’re suffering from depression or are just really busy. But keeping the things that touch you daily nice and fresh stops fungal and bacterial spread. I try to change my pillowcase and towels as often as I remember, maybe once a week, and sheets every fortnight.
Use body lotion daily
After you shower, try to get into the habit of slathering yourself in lotion immediately. The water on and in your skin will be trapped in by the occlusive ingredients in the lotion which keep your skin soft, smooth and free from dry patches. I did this every day last year and I’ve not had *any* body eczema which is a first for me, so I’ll definitely be keeping it up! Plus, as a bonus, you feel super luxurious and fancy rubbing nice smelling lotion on every day – you’re welcome.
Book yourself into the dermatologist
Even if it’s only to get your yearly skin cancer check, call up your GP to get a referral to a dermatologist this January. They can help with persistent eczema, acne or other skin issues too. I know, I know, you want to be able to do everything by yourself, but sometimes you need to recognise when to bring in the big guns. Our skin is the barrier between us and the world so keeping it healthy keeps your entire body healthy. Use this opportunity to cross this off your to do list so you can go the rest of the year with peace of mind.
Wash your makeup brushes
I’m so guilty of leaving my brushes weeks, even months between cleanings. Ew. But this year I’m not only trying to wear less skin makeup, but I’m trying to keep that skin makeup as sanitary as can be. That means hot soapy washes weekly! (You’ll also save money as your tools will last longer).
Stop picking at your face
Everyone’s been guilty of this at some point. I’ve talked about my struggle with compulsive skin picking before. I’ve found that the longer I go without picking, squeezing or scratching my skin, the better and better it’s looking. Your fingers are grubby, and purposefully causing inflammation will cause PIE. I’m going to try and go as far as I can into the year without touching my skin.
Start a skin care routine
If you’re overwhelmed and looking for a guide to get you started with daily cleansing, moisturising and more, I’ve written the perfect guide for you! It covers everything you need to start you on the right foot this year.
Let me know what your new year’s resolutions are! I don’t put a lot of pressure on myself to make big changes in the new year, as I think we should be improving ourselves every day. It’s what you do day in and day out that counts, not temporary attempts at new things. Resolutions should be goals and lifestyles, not short term quick fixes. But it’s still nice to feel like the old you is being shed when the clock hits midnight, and know that you’ll do even better this year.
Have a wonderful, safe, and moisturised new years everyone, and I’ll see you all again very soon!
