Follow our advice below to achieve a more clear, brighter, and all-around healthier complexion in 2019. New year, better skin.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on new products or slog through an extensive routine every night in order to improve your skin. Making simple tweaks to your routine and daily habits can make a world of difference. Add the five resolutions to your list to help kick off your 2019 skin care journey right.
Stick to a no-picking policy.
Popping a pimple is satisfying to be sure, but it’s not going to give you clear skin. In fact, popping or picking at spots not only causes irritation, but can spread bacteria around resulting in more breakouts. It’s like playing a game of whack-a-mole, if you will.
Getting out of the habit can be tricky, but with some will power, it can be done. Try not to inspect your skin in a magnifying mirror and always apply pimple patches on spots when they crop up so you won’t be tempted to touch your face.
Apply sunscreen daily.
We may sound like a broken record, but sunscreen really is the most important product you can apply on your skin. First and foremost, it reduces your risk of developing skin cancer, plus it prevents fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots from forming. You may also find that your skin is smoother and more even if you wear sunscreen regularly.
We often get asked whether or not you really need to wear SPF when it’s not hot and sunny outside, and the truth is that while UV rays may not be as strong when it’s cold or cloudy, any exposure (that even includes through windows) can cause skin damage. When in doubt, it’s always better to just wear the sunscreen.
RELATED: Derms Reveal the Bad Skin Care Habits We All Need to Break
And if you haven’t yet found a sunscreen that works for your skin, make that a priority this year. This guide is a great place to start.
Take it off – your makeup that is.
If you want clear skin, at the bare minimum, you need to remove your makeup every night. Even when you’re tired. If you’re guilty of forgetting to take off your makeup after late nights, keep a pack of cleansing wipes on your bedside table to make things easy for yourself.
Once you’re into the habit, it’s time to step up your cleansing game. We recommend double cleansing – applying an oil cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser – for a 360-degree approach. Oil cleanser takes care of removing makeup, sebum, and SPF, and a water-based cleanser tackles impurities like sweat and dirt.
Exfoliate regularly (but not too much!).
If a smoother, more even complexion is on your skin wish list, exfoliation is key. Using a physical or chemical exfoliator clears out pores and removes dead skin cells, preventing breakouts and blackheads and making skin look brighter. It also helps products like moisturizer absorb better which equals better results.
Just don’t overdo it. We recommend exfoliating one to three times per week (start on the lower end and increase frequency as needed). Any more than that can result in irritation or throw off your skin’s pH balance.
Get to know your skin.
Just because a product or regimen worked for us, a friend, or someone on Instagram, doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for you. It’s important keep your skin type, concerns, needs, and how your skin reacts to certain ingredients in mind when shopping for skin care and anytime you hit a bump in the road on your skin journey.
+What are YOUR skin care resolutions? Tell us in the comments below!
