14 New Year Skin Reset Habits That Feel Easy to Keep
The start of a new year is the perfect time to refresh your skin care routine and adopt habits that promote healthy, glowing skin. While many of us make ambitious resolutions, it’s often the simple, everyday changes that make the biggest impact. Whether it’s focusing on hydration, protecting your skin from the sun, or incorporating nourishing ingredients, small shifts in your daily habits can lead to noticeable improvements. What’s great is that these habits don’t require major effort or time commitment just consistency. By prioritizing self-care and using the right products, you can achieve healthy, radiant skin without feeling overwhelmed.
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Choose the Right Cleanser
Finding the right cleanser for your skin type can make a noticeable difference in your skincare routine. A cleanser should remove dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. If you have dry skin, opt for a gentle, creamy cleanser that hydrates while it cleans. For oily or acne-prone skin, look for a foaming cleanser that removes excess oils and helps prevent clogged pores.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel is a fantastic choice, as it provides a refreshing cleanse while maintaining your skin’s moisture levels. It costs about $8 for a 6oz bottle. Using a harsh cleanser can lead to dryness or irritation, which in turn can trigger more skin issues. Stick to a gentle formula to keep your skin clean and balanced without feeling tight.
Incorporate Retinol into Your Nighttime Routine
Retinol is a well-known skincare ingredient that helps to speed up cell turnover, which results in smoother and more youthful skin. Using a retinol product two to three times a week can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving overall texture. Retinol 0.5 by The Ordinary is a popular choice for beginners, offering an affordable way to include retinol in your routine. It’s priced at approximately $6 for a 1oz bottle.
Starting with a low concentration of retinol can help you build your skin’s tolerance without causing irritation. As your skin becomes accustomed to the product, you can gradually increase the frequency of use. Retinol 0.5 by The Ordinary offers a balanced formula that delivers noticeable results without overwhelming sensitive skin. It works effectively to diminish fine lines, clear clogged pores, and even out skin tone.
Use Overnight Face Masks
Overnight face masks are a great way to provide your skin with intense hydration and nourishment while you sleep. These masks work by slowly releasing active ingredients that repair and rejuvenate the skin throughout the night. Opt for masks with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or nourishing oils to help replenish moisture. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is a favorite for its hydrating properties, which leave the skin feeling fresh and smooth. It costs about $30 for a 2.3oz jar.
By incorporating an overnight face mask into your routine, you give your skin the opportunity to repair itself while you sleep. The hydrating ingredients in these masks help prevent moisture loss and lock in essential nutrients. The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask stands out because of its light, refreshing texture that doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on the skin. This mask works to provide deep hydration, making it especially ideal for dry or dehydrated skin.
Practice Facial Yoga
Facial yoga involves exercises that target specific facial muscles, helping to tone, lift, and reduce tension. Incorporating just a few minutes of facial exercises each day can boost circulation, promote collagen production, and give your skin a healthy glow. This practice can also help reduce signs of stress, such as tension around the eyes and jawline. The Face Gym Face Roller is a great tool that uses microcurrent technology to enhance circulation and skin appearance. This roller is priced around $45.
Facial yoga is a simple but effective way to rejuvenate your skin and improve its elasticity. It works by engaging muscles that don’t typically get used during regular facial expressions, which can help improve muscle tone. The Face Gym Face Roller enhances this technique by combining massage and microcurrent therapy for a natural lifting effect. Using this tool for just a few minutes each day can have a noticeable impact on your skin’s firmness and overall appearance.
Avoid Hot Showers
Although hot showers are comforting, they can actually be harmful to your skin. Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. Switching to lukewarm water can help preserve your skin’s moisture barrier and maintain hydration. After your shower, apply a nourishing moisturizer to lock in hydration and prevent moisture loss. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion is a great option that helps to restore the skin’s natural barrier and keep it hydrated. It costs about $7 for an 18oz bottle.
If you find it hard to resist a hot shower, try turning the water temperature down gradually until it’s more comfortable for your skin. Lukewarm water is the perfect balance between cleansing and retaining moisture, which is essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion works perfectly after a shower, as it helps replenish your skin’s moisture and leaves it feeling soft and smooth.
Try a Cold Water Splash
Splashing your face with cold water is a quick and refreshing way to tighten pores and reduce puffiness, especially around the eyes. Cold water can help stimulate circulation, giving your face a healthy, natural glow.The cold temperature also helps to calm any redness and can make your skin feel firmer and more revitalized. Bentonite Clay Face Mask can complement this refreshing splash by drawing out impurities and providing a deep clean. This mask is priced around $10 for a 6oz jar.
The cold water splash is a simple way to invigorate your skin without the need for any special products. It’s a quick step that takes only a few seconds but leaves a long-lasting effect. If you need an extra boost, pair it with a purifying clay mask like Bentonite Clay Face Mask, which absorbs toxins and helps your skin feel refreshed. The combination of cold water and clay will leave your skin looking brighter and smoother.
Incorporate a Night Cream
Night creams are formulated to provide your skin with intense hydration and nourishment while you sleep. These creams typically contain richer, more potent ingredients that work to repair the skin’s barrier, leaving it smoother and more radiant by morning. A good night cream helps your skin retain moisture, reducing dryness and fine lines. Use it as the final step in your nighttime routine to lock in hydration. Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream is an excellent choice for all skin types, providing deep moisture and improving skin texture overnight. It costs about $23 for a 1.7oz jar.
Night creams are especially helpful for people with dry or mature skin, as they provide a thicker, more moisturizing formula than daytime creams. The Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream is packed with peptides that work to repair and restore the skin’s surface while you sleep. This rich cream helps maintain your skin’s elasticity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles over time. It’s affordable and effective, offering long-lasting hydration and skin renewal.
Hydrate More Regularly
Starting the new year with a habit of drinking more water can significantly improve skin health. Hydration helps to maintain the skin’s elasticity and can reduce the appearance of fine lines. If you struggle to drink enough water, you can keep a reusable water bottle with you at all times as a reminder.
Incorporating hydrating ingredients into your skincare routine, such as hyaluronic acid, can also lock in moisture and give the skin a plump look. For an extra hydration boost, use a facial mist throughout the day. Consider using the Evian Brumisateur Natural Mineral Water Facial Spray which hydrates and refreshes the skin. This product can be found for about $12 for a 5oz bottle.
Use Sunscreen Daily
Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is a year-round habit that helps prevent premature aging and pigmentation. Even if you don’t spend much time outside, UV rays can penetrate through windows and damage your skin. A lightweight sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection is ideal for everyday use.
Look for one that doesn’t leave a greasy residue, as that can discourage daily use. The EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is a great option that provides broad-spectrum protection while calming sensitive skin. It is priced at approximately $36 for a 1.7oz bottle.
Simplify Your Skincare Routine
While a multi-step skincare routine can be fun, simplicity is often the key to consistency. Start by focusing on the essentials: a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. If you’re looking to streamline your routine further, consider using products that combine several steps in one.
A multitasking product like a moisturizer with built-in sunscreen or a cleanser with exfoliating properties can save time. The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a great all-in-one product that gently cleanses while maintaining the skin’s moisture balance. This cleanser typically costs about $14 for a 16oz bottle.
Get Enough Sleep
A full night’s rest is essential for skin regeneration. During sleep, the body undergoes repair, and skin cells regenerate. Poor sleep can lead to dull skin, dark circles, and premature signs of aging. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night to allow your skin to repair itself.
To enhance your sleep, create a calming nighttime routine with products like lavender-scented skincare. The Original Pink Salt Scrub is known for its soothing qualities, making it a great choice for winding down. It is priced around $15 for a 12oz jar.
Incorporate Antioxidants Into Your Skincare
Antioxidants help protect the skin from free radicals that can accelerate aging. Including vitamin C and vitamin E-rich products in your routine can provide extra protection and brighten the skin. These ingredients can combat environmental damage, including pollution and sun exposure.
Consider using a vitamin C serum in the morning to maximize its effectiveness before applying sunscreen. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is a popular vitamin C serum known for its high-quality ingredients and effectiveness. It is typically priced at $166 for a 1oz bottle.
Incorporate Facial Massage
A simple facial massage can increase blood circulation, which in turn helps your skin appear more radiant and firm. Using a gentle massaging tool or your fingers, apply light pressure in upward strokes on your face to stimulate circulation.
This technique can also help with lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness, especially around the eyes. The ReFa Carat Ray is a well-known facial massager that uses microcurrent technology to enhance your skin’s appearance. This tool costs approximately $295.
Stay Active and Sweat It Out
Exercise is not only great for overall health but also promotes better circulation and a healthy complexion. When you exercise, you sweat, which helps to expel toxins from your skin. Just be sure to cleanse your face after a workout to remove any sweat and bacteria that could cause breakouts.
A quick post-workout routine can make a noticeable difference in how your skin looks and feels. Liforme Yoga Mat provides a comfortable surface to work out on and is known for its high-quality material. This yoga mat typically costs around $150.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.