With the arrival of a new year comes the perfect opportunity to revamp your skincare routine and achieve the radiant, healthy skin you’ve always desired. As you bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, consider adopting these five skincare resolutions to ensure that your complexion is glowing and refreshed for the year ahead.
1. Consistent Cleansing
Resolution #1 is to commit to consistent cleansing. Make it a daily habit to remove makeup, dirt, and impurities from your skin using a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser. A clean canvas is essential for effective skincare, so don’t skip this crucial step.
How you wash your face can make a difference, too. A few simple habits help:
- Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol.
- Wet your face with lukewarm water and apply the cleanser with your fingertips. A washcloth, mesh sponge, or anything other than your fingertips can irritate your skin.
- Resist the urge to scrub, because scrubbing irritates the skin.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
- Wash once in the morning and once at night, and as soon as possible after sweating heavily, since sweat irritates the skin.
2. Daily Sun Protection
In 2024, pledge to prioritize daily sun protection. Sunscreen should be a non-negotiable part of your daily skincare routine, even on cloudy days. Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to shield your skin from harmful UV rays and prevent premature aging.
Choosing one that is also water resistant helps. Broad-spectrum means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots, and they can pass through window glass.
A few habits help your sunscreen do its job:
- Apply it every day to skin not covered by clothing if you will be outside. The sun gives off harmful UV rays year-round, and even on cloudy days, up to 80% of those rays can get through.
- Use at least 1 teaspoon for your face, applied to dry skin 15 minutes before going outdoors.
- When you are outdoors, reapply about every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
Sunscreen alone cannot fully protect you, so also seek shade, wear sun-protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat, and avoid tanning beds. For desert-specific tips, see our guide to summer skincare in Tucson.
If sun spots have already appeared, ask about an IPL photofacial at your next visit. Intense pulsed light is among the treatments used for age spots and for a blotchy or ruddy complexion caused by sun damage.
3. Hydration Inside and Out
Resolution #3 is all about hydration. Ensure that you’re drinking enough water to keep your skin properly hydrated from the inside. Additionally, incorporate hydrating products like serums and moisturizers into your skincare routine to maintain your skin’s moisture barrier.
For the outside, a few habits can help relieve dry skin:
- Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp after a shower or bath, and whenever your skin feels dry.
- Choose a cream or ointment, which adds more moisture than a lotion. Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or dimethicone.
- Stick with gentle, fragrance-free products.
- Run a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep, and clean it regularly to prevent mold.
Our winter skincare routine has more ideas for the colder months.
For a professional boost, the DiamondGlow facial exfoliates and infuses professional-grade serums in the same step. SkinMedica makes these serums for concerns that include rough or dry skin, and your provider matches one to your skin.
4. Exfoliation with Caution
While exfoliation can be beneficial, overdoing it can lead to irritation and dryness. In the new year, resolve to exfoliate gently and no more than 2-3 times a week. Choose exfoliants with ingredients like AHAs or BHAs to slough away dead skin cells, leaving behind a fresh, glowing complexion.
Choosing an exfoliant
AHAs and BHAs (alpha and beta hydroxy acids) are chemical exfoliants, which dissolve dead skin cells. Mechanical exfoliation uses a tool, such as a brush or sponge, or a scrub to physically remove them. Let your skin type guide the choice:
- Dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin may do better with just a washcloth and a mild chemical exfoliant, as mechanical exfoliation may be too irritating.
- If you have a darker skin tone, or notice dark spots after burns, bug bites, or breakouts, avoid strong chemical or mechanical exfoliation, which can lead to more dark spots.
- Check the products you already use. Prescription retinoids and products containing retinol or benzoyl peroxide can make skin more sensitive, and exfoliating on top of them may worsen dryness or cause breakouts.
- Never exfoliate open cuts or sunburned skin, and follow with moisturizer right away, since exfoliating can be drying.
Generally, the more aggressive the exfoliation, the less often it needs to be done.
Professional exfoliation
A professional treatment is another option. A VI Peel chemical peel reaches into the dermis, and peeling over the following days is part of the process. The DiamondGlow facial exfoliates physically instead. Your provider can help you decide which one fits your skin and goals.
5. Regular Professional Consultations
Make a commitment to regular professional consultations at a reputable medspa. A skincare expert can assess your skin’s needs, recommend personalized treatments, and monitor your progress throughout the year. This proactive approach will help you achieve and maintain your skin goals.
At Facial Artistry & Aesthetics, our focus is to educate our patients and create a customized treatment plan catered to their needs. Get to know Danielle Moser, PA-C, and our team before your visit.
To get the most from your consultation, bring a list of the skincare products and medications you use, and mention any skin conditions or allergies. Some treatments require you to prepare at least 2 weeks before your appointment, so our pre and post treatment instructions are worth a look when you book.
Your Skin Goals for the Year Ahead
As you welcome the new year, don’t forget to prioritize your skin’s health and beauty. These five skincare resolutions (consistent cleansing, daily sun protection, hydration, cautious exfoliation, and regular professional consultations) will set you on the path to achieving a radiant and youthful complexion in 2024. Remember that skincare is an ongoing journey, and by sticking to these resolutions, you’ll be well on your way to a year filled with confidence and glowing skin. Cheers to a beautiful and vibrant new you!
