As the holiday season comes to an end, many of us consider numerous New Year’s resolutions. It is natural to want to improve our lives and make every year better than the last. Many times, we tend to abandon these ambitions when life becomes hectic and overwhelming. However, this should not stop us from trying to strive for a better version of ourselves. When contemplating which New Year’s resolution you wish to tackle this year, one should consider a healthier skincare routine. Maintaining healthy skin is not only influential for an individual’s physical appearance but is also important for many body functions. Below is a list of tips to help you reach your skincare resolution and acquire that clearer, softer, and more youthful-looking skin.

1. Protect Your Skin from the Sun—It is crucial to invest in lotions containing sunscreen. Some people trust that only wearing sunscreen on our bodies will suffice. However, it is important to apply sunscreen to our faces. This tip applies to our daily lives, not just when we plan to spend long days at the beach or park with a great amount of UV exposure. Many daily moisturizers contain a small level of SPF for everyday application.
2. Wash Your Face— It is imperative to wash your face before you go to bed. This tip is particularly relevant for women who wear makeup. Sleeping with makeup clogs our pores which causes breakouts and dry skin, leading to premature wrinkles. Your skin regenerates while you sleep, so practicing a consistent skincare regimen is important.
3. Stay Hydrated—Drinking plenty of water and herbal drinks can have exceptional results on your skin. You may notice your skin becoming itchy, flaky, or red when you are dehydrated. Skin that lacks hydration can cause shrinkage of skin cells and loss of elasticity. This results in rough-feeling skin and exaggerated wrinkles and fine lines. Staying hydrated is one of the most important aspects of healthy skin and appearance. Try keeping a bottle of water with you at all times. Even if you do not consider yourself a major “water-drinker”, attempt other flavor techniques such as adding fruit slices.
4. Healthy diet—As I am sure dieting may already be on many people’s New Year’s resolutions; a healthy diet proposes more than just one benefit. Improved skin might be that extra motivation you need to not fall back into comfortable eating habits. Healthy fats, fruits, veggies, and select proteins are essential elements for great skin. A poor diet, on the other hand, can cause breakouts or dull-looking skin.
5. Exercise—This is another tip that you may already be planning to indulge in with the coming New Year. Exercise gets the heart rate up and therefore improves blood circulation. This process delivers oxygen and nutrients to the skin.
6. Sleep—engaging in a sufficient sleep schedule can help manage healthy skin believe it or not. Blood flow increases while you sleep, allowing for rejuvenation, damage repair, and collagen build-up. 7-8 hours of sleep is suggested. Not only can this act reduce the dark circles underneath your eyes but can also reduce your stress levels.
7. Manage Stress Levels—As stated in the previous tip, sleep acts as an aid for minimizing our stress levels. However, there are other activities one can entertain to manage their stress. It is important to make time for hobbies and set aside time for things that you enjoy doing. Your relaxed hobby may include playing golf, doing an art project, reading, playing card games, or even simply watching a movie.
8. Stop Smoking—Tobacco contains thousands of chemicals that are harmful to the collagen and elasticity of your skin. These fibers give your skin the strength it needs to maintain its health and avoid premature aging.
9. Be Gentle with Your Skin—Many individuals believe that harsh peels and foaming washes are the best things for your skin. You may think that if the product hurts, it must be working. However, this is not the case. With that being said, avoid irritants, chemicals, and drying ingredients. Additionally, do not over-exfoliate or over-wash your skin. Try not to excessively rub or pick at blemishes. This can cause wrinkles and sometimes even scarring.
10. Throw Out Old Products—Many of us hoard products with the intention of eventually using them. This is often not the case as our medicine cabinets and makeup bags fill with expired items. Hanging on to these beauty products is not doing your skin any favors and could be the root of your skin problems.
11. Adapt to Your Skin’s Needs—Everyone’s skin is different and requires different regimens. Have you reevaluated your particular needs recently? A skincare routine you adopted in your adolescent years may not be the best method now. The products that kept your skin healthy-looking and fresh in the past may not be as effective on aged skin. Age is not the only factor one should consider when evaluating their skincare practice. It may even be necessary to adapt to the current season as certain times of the year calls for dryer skin.
12. Perform Self Checks—Regular skin self-exams are especially important. Individuals with low immunity or who have a high risk for cancer should make this tip a priority. Early detection of skin cancer or other abnormalities can reduce the amount of damage to your skin. Get to know your body and the pattern of moles, freckles, blemishes, or other marks on your skin.
13. Visit a dermatologist—Lastly, it is crucial to see a health care provider annually regarding your skin’s health. Although self-exams are beneficial, we are sometimes not able to detect certain irregularities. This may be due to the location or just a lack of education. A dermatologist can provide you with this confidence and peace of mind. They are experts in detecting skin cancers early on and can also discuss preventative strategies as well as personalized skincare recommendations. If you haven’t been to the dermatologist in over a year, it is time to schedule an appointment!  Dr. Gurgen is a dermatologist in The Villages and Leesburg, Florida, specializing in skin care treatment and Mohs Surgery. If you notice changes to your skin or if it is time for your annual skin check, contact our office for an appointment.