8 Things You Can Do for Better Skin in 2026

We all have at least one of those friends whose skin always looks flawless, whether they’re in full glam for a special event or they’ve just rolled out of bed. With simply some habit changes, you might become that person too in 2026. There are so many factors that can impact your skin, from genetics to skin conditions, but if you’ve got your eye on healthy, beautiful skin in the year ahead, there’s plenty you can do to make it happen. 

1. Narrow Your Focus

For starters, you need to set some goals that are more specific than “better skin,” because each of us has our own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to our skin. But if you can define the actual issues with your skin that you want to improve, you can work on them more effectively. 

Take a good look in the mirror and instead of looking at your skin as a whole, try to zero in on the areas you don’t like and what’s making them less than stellar. Is it blotchy redness or inflammation? Maybe it’s wrinkles or aging skin in a particular area, or perhaps age spots. Maybe your skin is too dry or too oily. Write down the issues you see that you want to tackle. 

2. Commit to Consistency

It doesn’t matter what it is you’re doing to improve about your skin, or even if you’re trying to just maintain your skin health – it requires a consistent skin care routine. I’ll be the first to acknowledge that this isn’t easy to stick with, but try to focus on making it a habit in 2026. Hold yourself to it every morning and every night, and before you know it, it’ll just be a normal part of your day that you do without even thinking about it. 

Within that consistent routine, make sure that sunscreen is non-negotiable. It should be a part of your morning every day, not matter what your plans are for the day.

3. Audit Your Skin Care Collection

One of my favorite ways to get a fresh start in a new year is with an organizing purge – going through closets and other storage, getting rid of things that aren’t worth the space they’re taking up and neatly organizing the things that do bring value for me. Your skin care stash is a great place for an organizing audit. 

Go through that ever-accumulating stock of products. Toss anything that’s expired or that you’ve found isn’t a fit for your skin (or give it to someone else who can enjoy it, if possible). This includes making sure all of your go-to products like your moisturizer aren’t expired and replacing them if they are. 

4. Consult a Skin Care Professional

Creating a great skin care routine for yourself will always involve some trial and error because each product affects people in different ways. But you can do yourself a big favor by setting up some time with a skin care specialist like a dermatologist or an aesthetician. Consult with them to examine your skin, tell you some of the key things it’s missing, and give you some advice for the types of products you should look for. 

5. Double Up on Hydration

You probably already know that moisturizer is one of the most essential steps in a skin care routine, but your moisturizer might not be getting the job done. In fact, as we get older (especially for women), hormonal changes make our skin drier, so even if you haven’t had dry skin in the past, that might have changed. And for a lot of us, a moisturizer isn’t enough. 

Try adding another hydrating product into your routine to quench your skin’s thirst. You might add a moisturizing serum, for example, or swap out your cleanser for a hydrating cleanser. Or you might just do a hydrating mask once a week or so. Give it a try and see if this refreshes your skin. 

6. Re-Examine Your Makeup Practices

If you use makeup, it might be affecting your skin more than you realize. You don’t have to limit your makeup, but there are certain things you should be doing to keep your skin healthy in the process. This includes:

• Replacing products that are more than a year old
• Washing your makeup brushes regularly, around every two weeks
• Removing your makeup every night
• Using a makeup remover that’s not too harsh on your skin 

These practices can help to prevent bacteria getting onto your skin through your makeup and to help your skin maintain a healthy balance with minimal inflammation. 

7. Add Occasional Professional Treatments

Having a consistent and personalized skin care routine at home is the bread and butter of skin care, and it gives you a strong foundation for healthy skin. But it can help to give your skin an additional boost every so often, especially if your goal is to go beyond maintenance and improve certain aspects of your skin. 

For that, it helps to throw in a professional skin treatment every once in a while. Depending on your goals, you might benefit from simple treatments like a monthly facial or from microneedling, light chemical peels, platelet-rich plasma, or other techniques.

8. Try Double Cleansing

Not to gross you out, but there’s a good chance that your cleanser isn’t quite getting your skin clean. Double cleansing is a technique that can benefit most skin types to give you a more thorough cleanse, especially if you wear makeup, if you work out a lot and tend to sweat, or if you spend lots of time outside where your skin is collecting dirt particles throughout the day. 

Double cleansing just means that you use two cleansers: first with an oil-based cleanser and then with a water-based cleanser. Do this in the evening and then proceed with your skin care routine and you might be surprised by how much cleaner and clearer your skin becomes. 

Getting Your Best Skin in 2026

If you’re ready to feel confident in your skin, this could be the year for you! With the tips above, you can restore your skin to its full glory and enjoy the year ahead with skin that’s not only refreshed and rejuvenated but healthy and strong, too.