Nearly 40% of Americans set at least one New Year’s resolution each January, with the most popular resolutions focusing on health and fitness for the body and mind. This year, don’t forget about your skin health when setting your resolutions! Here are 12 skin-related resolutions to consider adding to your list to get healthy, glowing skin in 2024.
1. Sunscreen 365 Challenge
Adopting consistent sun protection habits is one of the best things you can do for your skin’s health and appearance. Challenge yourself to maintain a consistent sun protection regimen all 366 days (yes, that’s right, we are heading into a leap year!) of 2024, no matter the weather forecast, season, or plans for the day.
Easy ways to up your sun protection game include:
- Adding SPF 15 or higher to your morning skincare routine.
- Keeping essentials like a travel-sized sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and sunglasses with you.
- Wearing UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) clothing when outdoors for long periods of time.
- Using UV-protective films on your car windows and phone screen.
2. Customize Your Cleanser
The foundation of any skincare regimen starts with a great cleanser. Choosing the right cleanser for your skin type and specific needs is crucial to getting and keeping healthy, clear skin. Resolve to work with your dermatologist this year to find a cleanser that is right for your skin type and that will complement the other products and ingredients in your regimen and not work against them.
3. Hydrate Inside and Out
Using the right moisturizer is key to getting dewy, healthy-looking skin all year-round. Choose a moisturizer that matches your skin’s unique needs. Dry skin types, for example, may need a barrier repair moisturizer to restore proper skin barrier function. Oily types may need a lighter moisturizer.
Additionally, be sure to hydrate your skin (and body!) from the inside out, drinking plenty of water and reducing caffeine intake. The latest guidelines from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggest that men should aim to drink about 15.5 cups of water per day, and women should aim for 11.5 cups to stay properly hydrated.
4. Exfoliate Like a Pro
Exfoliating your skin removes dead cells and other debris from the surface of your skin, revealing a fresh new layer underneath. But there is a right and wrong way to exfoliate, so work with your dermatologist to establish a regular exfoliation routine that’s right for your skin.
At home, this routine might include an exfoliating cleanser that contains AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) or a gentle facial scrub if you do not have sensitive skin. In-office treatments like DiamondGlow® and laser treatments can enhance and prolong your at-home exfoliation routine.
5. Minimize Your Makeup Bag
The new year is the perfect time to do an annual clean-out of your cosmetic and skincare products. Get rid of expired products and anything that isn’t a good match for your skin type. Consider switching to fragrance-free products if you have sensitive skin that’s prone to redness and irritation.
6. Eat a Rainbow of Antioxidants
“Taste the rainbow” isn’t just a popular candy motto. Different antioxidants are found in different-colored fruits and vegetables, so eating a colorful plate can boost your body’s natural antioxidant protection against harmful free radicals that could otherwise lead to premature aging.
7. Explore Alcohol Alternatives
Limiting alcohol consumption is great for your skin, body, and mind. This isn’t to say that you can’t have the occasional cocktail, glass of wine, or craft beer, but reducing your alcohol intake and finding fun alternatives can help your skin keep its healthy, youthful look.
You can even give your skin an added boost by switching to “mocktails” with antioxidant-rich ingredients like pomegranate, grapefruit, pineapple, and green tea.
8. Kick Smoking (and Vaping) to the Curb
Smoking has long been known to impede the natural wound-healing process, deplete the body and skin of oxygen and vital nutrients by reducing blood flow, create oxidative stress, and much more. Vaping is unfortunately not a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco products, as it has also been linked with many of the same detrimental effects on your health. Kicking both to the curb this year can have a profound effect on your entire body, including your skin health.
9. Be Mindful of Stress
Chronic stress can accelerate signs of skin aging and trigger flare-ups of existing skin conditions like psoriasis, rosacea, and acne. Consider incorporating mindfulness into your morning or evening skincare routine to help manage stress. This could include creating a relaxing playlist, practicing breathing exercises, or journaling.
10. Nightly Gadget Curfew
Committing to turning off (or setting aside) your phone, tablet, and other electronics at least one hour before going to bed can significantly improve your body’s circadian rhythm. A healthy circadian rhythm allows your skin to efficiently repair itself and even boost its natural defenses against UV damage while you sleep.
When your circadian rhythm is thrown off by the blue light of your phone or computer screen, your skin is unable to properly perform an array of crucial nighttime processes, leading to wrinkles, under-eye circles, dry, dull skin, and other unwanted effects.
11. Start a Skin Diary
Resolve to perform and keep track of regular skin self-exams this year in a skin journal. This is an essential step in staying on top of your skin health and detecting any potentially cancerous lesions as early as possible.
You can also jot down any triggers you notice that aggravate skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, or acne so you can work on avoiding those triggers as much as possible.
12. Mark Dermatologist Days on Your Calendar
Make sure you have at least one visit with your dermatologist scheduled for 2024 to check for any signs of skin cancer. At your annual or biannual visit, you can also discuss any skincare struggles such as dry skin, acne, or rosacea and get customized skincare recommendations to help your skin be its healthiest this year.
If you don’t already have your yearly appointment scheduled, call our Delray Beach office at (561) 692-6424 or contact us online to easily check this important resolution off your list!
