New Year’s Skin Resolutions
If you are anything like me, right now you are busy vacuuming up pine needles, ridding the fridge of simple carbohydrates, and journaling with a vengeance about the ways you will improve your life in 2024. This enchanting time of clean slates and hopeful outlooks is the perfect opportunity to reassess your skincare journey and make some simple improvements when it comes to caring for the largest organ of your body. Check out these recommended New Year’s Skin Resolutions and pick a few to start implementing today!
#1. Stop taking skincare advice from influencers.
We all know that these fashionistas have no formal training when it comes to skin health, and we know that they are getting a kick back when we click on those links, so why on earth do we trust these people to sell us our skincare? Remember that what you see online is not real and it is all just there to try to take your money. There are only two types of people that you should be listening to when it comes to spending your hard earned cash on skincare and they are your aesthetician and your dermatologist. These are professionally trained individuals who can lay eyes on your skin and make reliable recommendations based on your needs.
#2. Ditch the magnification mirror.
It is all too often that my clients come into EB Skin totally obsessed with microscopic aspects of their skin that they consider flaws. If you can’t see the spots, pores, bumps, or hairs without a magnifying mirror, then nobody else in your life can see them either! A close up look at your skin is intended to reveal such things and real skin possesses them all!
#3. Throw out old makeup and skincare products.
This is something I do every January, and it is amazing what your cosmetics drawer (or in my case an entire linen closet) can collect in a year's time. Take out all of those free samples and old products that you know you will never use and pitch them in the trash. If you have a product that you spent a lot of money on but didn’t work for your skin, consider giving it away to a friend or family member.
#4. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.
I’ll bet you have an unidentified spot somewhere that you have been ignoring and hoping would just go away. Bite the bullet and book a full skin exam with a board certified dermatologist today. As we age, it is critical to get professional eyes on our body’s largest organ and make sure that all of our little spots and bumps are 100% harmless.
#5. Upgrade your pillowcase.
Are you late to the game on the silk pillowcase trend? Well, let me tell you it is a total luxury for which your skin will thank you. Especially if you are like me and it’s impossible to sleep on your back all night long. Silk pillowcases are less absorbent than cotton and help your skin and hair retain natural oils throughout the night. There is also less friction involved with a silk pillowcase so they are less irritating for sensitive skin. Check out the Slip company pillowcases for a high quality option.
#6. Invest in a humidifier for your bedroom.
Around the month of February, my dry skin clients start to lose the battle when it comes to keeping their skin hydrated. This is due to the dehydrating effect of central heating in our homes which robs our skin of water. A cool mist humidifier will help to add back that moisture to the air and improve the climate in your bedroom while you are sleeping. I recommend a smart humidifier that can show you the real time humidity in the room such as the Levoit LV600S.
#7. Commit to 6 months of regular facial treatments.
Did you know that in-office facial treatments have a cumulative effect on the skin’s health and beauty? That means you get more bang for your buck doing consecutive monthly treatments vs spreading them out over the year. I challenge you to put this to the test and just see what happens if you commit to six monthly facials that incorporate clinical exfoliations. These treatments may include mild chemical peels, dermaplaning, Hydrafacials, or microdermabrasion. Successive treatments will speed up your skin’s cell turnover rate, reduce acne breakouts, and boost collagen levels to help minimize the appearance of aging skin. I’m guessing that by July, you will be a believer and ready to continue your new habit into the future.