13 Beauty Habits to Try This Year That Make Skin Feel Happier

Starting the new year with healthy skin begins with building consistent beauty habits that focus on nurturing and protecting your skin. Simple practices like proper cleansing, sun protection, hydration, and stress management can make a world of difference in how your skin looks and feels. By prioritizing these habits, you’ll not only improve your skin’s appearance but also boost its overall health and radiance throughout the year.

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Daily Sun Protection

One of the most effective habits for keeping your skin happy in the new year is applying sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days. UV rays can damage your skin over time, leading to premature aging, wrinkles, and an increased risk of skin cancer. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher helps shield your skin from harmful rays. Making this a daily part of your routine ensures that your skin is protected and feels healthier throughout the year.

Along with protecting your skin from sun damage, using sunscreen regularly helps maintain your skin’s moisture balance. Sun exposure can dry out the skin, leading to irritation and breakouts. Consistent use of sunscreen keeps your skin hydrated and supports your overall skincare routine, making your skin feel smoother and more radiant.

Proper Cleansing

Cleansing your skin at the end of each day is a simple but vital habit. It helps remove dirt, oil, makeup, and environmental pollutants that can clog pores and lead to skin issues. Choosing a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type can prevent irritation and maintain the natural balance of your skin. Whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin, proper cleansing helps remove impurities without stripping your skin of its essential oils.

In the new year, cleansing sets a solid foundation for all your other skincare steps, ensuring that moisturizers and serums can work effectively. When your skin is properly cleansed, it is less likely to become congested, reducing the chances of breakouts and dullness. By making this a consistent habit, your skin will feel fresher and healthier every day.

Staying Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is one of the easiest ways to support your skin’s health. Hydration starts from the inside out, and when you’re properly hydrated, your skin looks plumper and more vibrant. Water helps flush out toxins from your body, which can reduce skin inflammation and puffiness. Whether you add a slice of lemon or cucumber for flavor, making hydration a habit will improve your skin’s elasticity and overall appearance.

Water also helps your skin maintain its moisture barrier, which is crucial for preventing dryness and irritation. When your skin is well-hydrated, it feels softer and appears more youthful. Consuming water regularly is an essential beauty habit that goes hand in hand with external skincare products to keep your skin feeling nourished and happy.

Consistent Exfoliation

Exfoliating once or twice a week removes dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover, helping reveal smoother, brighter skin. By sloughing off dead skin, you allow your skincare products to penetrate deeper, increasing their effectiveness. Gentle exfoliants, such as scrubs or chemical exfoliants with AHA or BHA, are great choices for revealing fresh skin without irritation. This habit is especially important in the new year, as it ensures that your skin stays glowing and free of dullness.

Exfoliating helps unclog pores, reducing the chances of breakouts and blackheads. When done consistently, exfoliation helps your skin retain a youthful, smooth texture and improves the overall appearance. This simple habit can make a noticeable difference in how your skin feels and looks, helping it feel happier and healthier as you start the year.

Prioritize Sleep

Sleep is essential for your body to repair and rejuvenate itself, and your skin is no exception. During sleep, your skin works to repair damage caused by environmental stressors like pollution and UV exposure. Ensuring you get enough quality sleep every night helps regulate your skin’s natural processes, allowing it to heal, regenerate, and stay looking its best. Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep to keep your skin looking fresh and energized.

Lack of sleep can lead to skin problems such as puffiness, dark circles, and dullness. Prioritizing sleep in the new year not only improves your overall wellness but also directly benefits your skin. When well-rested, your skin feels rejuvenated, with fewer signs of stress or fatigue, making it feel more radiant and healthy.

Eat a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats supports your skin’s natural functions. Nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats help protect your skin from oxidative stress, maintain moisture levels, and promote collagen production. Omega-3 fatty acids found in foods like avocados, nuts, and fish help reduce inflammation, which can prevent skin issues such as redness and acne. This habit is crucial in ensuring that your skin feels nourished and stays resilient.

Along with eating nutrient-dense foods, avoid processed sugars and overly greasy foods, which can trigger inflammation and contribute to skin conditions like acne. A well-balanced diet gives your skin the tools it needs to stay clear, vibrant, and happy throughout the year. Focusing on what you eat will make a noticeable difference in how your skin looks and feels.

Use Skin-Specific Products

Not all skin is the same, so it’s essential to choose products tailored to your skin type and concerns. Whether your skin is dry, oily, or sensitive, selecting the right moisturizer, cleanser, or treatment can help maintain its balance and prevent issues like irritation or excess oil production. Be mindful of your skin’s needs and opt for non-comedogenic products if you have acne-prone skin. This ensures your skin feels supported with the right treatments that will help it stay healthy.

In the new year, take a closer look at your skincare routine and adjust your products accordingly. As the seasons change, your skin’s needs may evolve, so use products that address these shifts. Customizing your routine will lead to better skin hydration, fewer breakouts, and a smoother complexion.

Manage Stress

Stress can take a toll on your skin, often causing breakouts, dryness, or irritation. Incorporating stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises can help reduce the physical effects of stress on your skin. Regular stress reduction lowers cortisol levels, which in turn helps maintain your skin’s balance. By making time for mental well-being, you can ensure that your skin remains calm and less prone to stress-related flare-ups.

In the new year, focus on incorporating mindfulness and relaxation into your routine. Whether it’s a short walk, a few minutes of deep breathing, or a quiet moment with a book, finding stress management techniques that work for you will reflect positively on your skin. When stress is reduced, your skin feels calmer, clearer, and more balanced.

Use Antioxidant Serums

Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea extract help protect your skin from free radical damage, which can accelerate the aging process. Using a serum packed with antioxidants as part of your morning routine helps your skin fight off environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays. Antioxidants promote a brighter, more even complexion by preventing dark spots and boosting collagen production. Consistent use can leave your skin feeling more resilient and glowing.

In the new year, introduce an antioxidant serum into your skincare regimen to give your skin a protective layer against daily environmental stress. These powerful ingredients help maintain skin vitality, ensuring that it stays youthful and radiant. Adding antioxidants to your routine will make your skin feel energized and protected, ready to face the challenges of the year.

Regularly Apply Moisturizer

Moisturizing daily is one of the simplest yet most impactful habits you can establish for your skin in the new year. Properly hydrated skin looks plump, dewy, and smooth. Using a moisturizer suited to your skin type helps lock in hydration, preventing dryness and irritation. Even if you have oily skin, hydration is essential to maintaining balance and preventing excess sebum production.

Incorporating a good moisturizer into both your morning and evening routine ensures your skin stays soft and comfortable throughout the day. Hydrated skin is better equipped to protect itself from environmental stressors and maintain its youthful appearance. This foundational habit is key to making your skin feel healthier and happier every day.

Facial Massage

Facial massage is a great way to enhance blood circulation and promote a healthy glow. Massaging your face for a few minutes each day can help relax facial muscles, reduce puffiness, and improve skin texture. Using a facial roller or your fingers, gently massage in upward motions to stimulate lymphatic drainage, which can also help reduce swelling and dark circles. This habit can be especially beneficial in the morning, giving your skin an energized and refreshed look.

Regular facial massages not only help promote blood flow but can also improve the absorption of skincare products. When you incorporate this into your routine, your skin feels more awake and vibrant. A simple massage habit can make your skin feel brighter and more rejuvenated as you move through the new year.

Get Regular Facials

Getting a professional facial once every few months can be a great way to reset your skin. Facials often include deep cleansing, exfoliation, and extractions, which can help improve skin texture and minimize congestion. Professional treatments can be customized to your specific skin needs, whether it’s calming irritation, hydrating dry skin, or targeting acne. Regular facials can help maintain a clear and balanced complexion.

In the new year, consider scheduling facials as part of your self-care routine. Not only do facials provide a deep cleanse, but they also promote relaxation, reducing stress that can impact your skin’s appearance. Facials offer long-term benefits, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and revitalized.

Incorporate Retinol into Your Routine

Retinol is a powerful ingredient that helps promote cell turnover, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. By gently exfoliating the skin, it encourages the production of fresh, youthful cells. In the new year, adding a retinol serum or cream to your evening skincare routine can help improve the overall texture and appearance of your skin. Start with a lower concentration to avoid irritation and gradually increase as your skin builds tolerance.

Using retinol consistently can lead to smoother, clearer skin with fewer signs of aging. Over time, this habit will leave your skin feeling softer and more radiant, with a visibly improved texture. Retinol is an essential habit for maintaining youthful, glowing skin in the new year.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.