HAVE YOU MADE A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION AIMING TO IMPROVE YOUR SKIN HEALTH?

New Year’s resolutions are a pledge to ourselves that we make to improve some aspect of our life. It is typically thought that resolutions go hand in hand with the beginning of a new year when we can start with a clean slate.

We say goodbye to the past year and wipe away our mishaps from the past year in hopes of starting fresh and new in the year ahead. We sometimes slip into bad habits but the new year always gives us a chance to make up for our shortcomings in the previous year. 

People make new year’s resolutions for many different aspects of their lives such as fitness, health, finances, character, and relationships.

We have compiled some beauty resolutions to help you achieve a healthy and more radiant-looking complexion in the year ahead! Make it a priority to focus on your skin this year!

1. Remove your make-up every night

Your body, including your skin, undergoes a regenerative process at night. Your skin sloughs dry dead skin cells to make room for fresh, new ones. Makeup hinders the natural exfoliation process.

Sleeping with your makeup on can lead to extensive skin damage over time. When you wake up in the morning, you will look tired and stressed when your skin is unable to breathe at night because of makeup. Your skin becomes duller and breakouts become more frequent.

Allowing makeup and dirt to be trapped on your skin can cause oxidative stress. The skin barrier gets compromised leading to the acceleration of the aging process. You are also at a higher risk of infection by aggravating active skin inflammation such as acne. The dyes in makeup could also develop rashes or worsen rosacea when left on the skin for extended periods.

Removing your make-up requires some effort. No matter how tired you are at the end of the day, exerting more effort to thoroughly cleanse your face before sleeping is a giant step in slowing down the aging process of your skin.

2. Hydrate

Drinking more water in a day is the simplest yet most overlooked habit. Staying hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day is important for your organs to function efficiently. Your skin, the largest organ in your body which consists of 64%  water, will significantly benefit from daily adequate hydration.

You lose large quantities of water every day. Replenishing the lost water should be one of your daily basic concerns alongside a proper diet. Keeping your body sufficiently hydrated will give you radiant glowing skin. The effects may not be noticeable overnight, but you will see results in a matter of weeks with consistent hydration.

If you do not fancy drinking plain water, you can try fruit infused water or coconut water for a more flavorful hydration.

3. Exfoliate

Your skin naturally sloughs dead skin cells but there are times when they do not completely shed off. As we age, this natural process becomes slower so you may notice dry and flaky patches on your skin. Dead skin cells also clog your pores.

If you have been slacking in exfoliating your skin in the past, it’s time to commit to making exfoliation a part of your skincare routine.

Read more: How to Do a Professional Chemical Peel at Home

4. Check your diet

A healthy diet does not only focus on achieving or maintaining an ideal weight, but it can significantly impact the health and appearance of your skin. Loading your diet with essential nutrients can have a long-lasting effect on your skin.

A diet with an abundant amount of healthy fats usually found in fatty fish, whole eggs, nuts, and avocados is beneficial for the entire body especially in preserving the moisture and elasticity of your skin.

Cutting down on refined sugar and loading up on fruits, like berries and other citrus fruits, can help boost collagen production. Collagen is a substance that determines the elasticity of your skin. Limiting your intake of starchy foods such as bread and pasta makes you less likely to have skin inflammation and acne.

Leafy greens such as kale are loaded with lutein which promotes not only eye health but skin health. It is a powerful antioxidant that combats free radicals and boosts the skin’s natural protection from the harmful rays of the sun.

5. Wear sunscreen every day

Wearing sunscreen is a skincare necessity. This is a habit that should never be skipped. The winter weather does not make you safe from the UV rays of the sun. UV rays are strong the whole year. To protect your skin, adhere to wearing sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 even during cloudy days.

Go one step further to protect your skin from the sun by limiting your exposure to the sun especially between 10 AM to 2 PM. This period is when the UV rays are the most damaging. Covering your body with skin-friendly clothes, seeking shade, using a sun umbrella, using a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses are other ways to protect your skin.

6. Commit to an anti-aging skincare routine

Start following an anti-aging skincare routine no matter your age. Choosing the correct skincare products can significantly delay the aging process.

An effective skin care routine should start by understanding the benefits of each step of your routine and every product that you use. Knowing the correct order to apply your skincare products is also important in order to maximize the benefits.

One of the most common areas of concern is the eye area where the skin is thin and delicate. Puffy eyes and crow’s feet are common concerns in the eye area. An eye cream or an eye gel can prevent puffy eyes and crow’s feet. Both can be great additions to your skincare regimen.
A moisturizer is also a daily must-have. Moisturizing is a crucial step in your skincare routine no matter what skin type you have.

Read: A Guide on How to Apply Your Skincare Products in the Right Order

7. Get enough beauty rest

Another effective beauty habit is allocating enough time to beauty rest. Sleep experts recommend seven to nine hours of sleep every night to give your body enough time to restore itself.

Giving your body sufficient time to rest will have a significant positive impact on your overall well-being including your skin. While you sleep, blood flow is enhanced and your organs regenerate and repair their cells and tissues. Collagen production is also enhanced which results in lesser wrinkles and fine lines. Collagen also contains amino acids that diminishes the appearance of dark spots and acne scars.

8. Give extra care to your body especially your chest, neck, and hands

Most people only focus on caring for the skin and face. Cleansing your body with a mild soap is not enough. Exfoliation is also important to get rid of excess oil and grime. Similar to the skin on your face, moisturizing is also essential to lock in moisture on your body.

Special care should also be given to the neck and chest. Turkey neck or the sagging and wrinkling skin on your neck is a common concern for this area. Treat the skin on your neck and chest the way you treat the skin on your face. Mild and fragrance-free cleansers and other skin products you use on your face also work well on your neck and chest.

Your hands also easily show the signs of aging. The skin on the back of your hands is also as delicate as the skin on your face. Your hands are also exposed to different irritants such as household chemicals and cleaning agents. They can also be exposed to direct sunlight. Sunscreens and moisturizers are both necessary for the hands. You can also protect them by using rubber gloves when cleaning.

9. Quit smoking

Smoking can cause severe damage to your body. Nicotine, a chemical found in cigarettes causes blood vessels to dilate which results in the thinning of the skin. It also depletes vitamin C which is necessary for collagen production.

Quitting smoking is a major game-changer for your health. Your body starts to heal naturally the moment you quit smoking. Your blood pressure starts to become normal and the risk of developing lung cancer and heart disease significantly declines. Blood circulation also improves allowing more oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the different organs of your body, including your skin.

10. Manage your stress levels

Being constantly exposed to stressful situations triggers your nervous system to release stress hormones known as cortisol. High levels of cortisol stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil leading to clogged pores and acne breakouts.

Stress also affects the immune system by making your skin more sensitive and reactive causing hives, rashes, or redness. It also worsens existing inflammatory concerns such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.

Managing your stress will prevent you from experiencing the above-mentioned situations. Make time for yourself by engaging in relaxing activities such as reading a book, getting a whole-body massage, or engaging in some sports activities.

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A complete anti-aging system formulated with the highest quality medical grade ingredients. Hydrate and moisturize skin, fill fine lines and wrinkles, even skin tone, and reduce crow’s feet, bags, and puffiness around the eye.

WHAT SKINCARE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS HAVE YOU MADE IN THE PAST YEARS? WERE YOU ABLE TO ACHIEVE THEM? LET’S TALK IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.