Skin Care Goals for the New Year

A new year is upon us, and I think we can all collectively agree that we want this year to have more smiles and less stress all-around. 2020 and 2021 were rough. We don’t have control over every circumstance that could affect us in 2022, but as you’re creating goals for the year ahead, look for things you can have a positive influence on – like your skin health.

If you want 2022 to be the year you finally get the skin of your dreams, now is the time to make it happen. Set concrete goals to get you on that path and before no time, you’ll be looking in the mirror and saying, “Yum, look at that beauty!” Here are a few goals you can put in place today to get you started.

Take the Time to Nail Down Your Skin Care Product Lineup

I’m guilty of being a bit unfocused at times when it comes to my skincare. I’d hop around from product to product, trying this moisturizer one day and that other cleanser the next day because I saw them and wanted to give them a try. The problem is that it takes time for skin care products to really work, so if you’re a product-hopper, you’re never really finding out if any product is a good fit for your skin.

So this year, take some time to really assess. Keep track of the products in your skin care routine and try them for at least four weeks at a time, comparing your skin before and after. Make a real trial-and-error effort to find the right products for you, and your skin will be better off for it.

Create a Routine and Stick with It

Along the same lines as nailing down your ideal skin care products, remember: good skin care requires consistency. You don’t just need to use the same products, but you need to be using them consistently every day.

The only way to keep this up is to form a habit. Establish a set time in the morning and evening to take care of your skin and stick to it. As an added bonus, studies have indicated that having a consistent bedtime routine can help you sleep better, so you might be giving yourself the gift of better sleep in the process.

Drink More Water

I know, I know, you hear this all the time, but hear me out. Drinking more water is as important for your skin as it is for your overall health, and most of us aren’t getting enough of it. Keeping your body hydrated will keep your skin more hydrated too, which makes your skin both look and feel better. It makes your nightly moisturizer more effective because moisturizers lock in hydration, so if you’re drinking more water, there’s more hydration to lock in.

Pay More Attention to Your Sun Protection

Cleansing regularly is crucial and moisturizing is a must, but above all, sun protection may be the #1 best thing you can do for your skin. Not only does daily sun protection lower your risk for skin cancer, but it keeps you looking younger too because sun damage will break down your skin-firming collagen and cause age spots to appear. Get into the habit of applying sunscreen every morning and reapplying before you spend time outdoors for starters.

Wash Your Makeup Brushes Regularly

Cleaning is one of those tasks that always seem to take up way more time than you expected it to when you were a kid looking ahead to your adult years. But be that as it may, I’m about to add another cleaning task to your to-do list: cleaning your makeup brushes.

Makeup brushes can harbor bacteria and lead to a serious skin infection along with acne breakouts. The residue on your brushes can also clog your pores, not to mention making your makeup application less smooth. For your skin health alone, it’s best to clean your daily makeup brushes once per week. For brushes you only use on occasion and not every day, clean them after about 5-7 uses.

Give Your Neck and Chest Some Love

The neck and chest are often forgotten in skin care because we’re all so focused on putting our best face forward instead, but these areas age just as quickly. If you’re putting all your effort into facial skin care and skipping your neck and chest, that neck and chest could be making you look older than you realize.

So, this year, start putting more of an effort into those areas. Look for products specifically made for the neck and décolleté like a neck firming cream . Make it part of your regular skin care routine and you’ll see a younger look in no time.

Setting Your 2022 Skin Goals

Improving your skin is something everyone and anyone can do to enjoy more confidence in their appearance and less self-consciousness on a daily basis. But it all starts with goals and routines. Use the tips above to make 2022 the year you finally get your skin to glow to its full potential!