Though new year’s resolutions get a bad rap because they tend to not stick around very long, they’re still valuable for starting off the new year on a positive and productive note. After all, everything we do starts with intentions, so we might as well set some good ones!
If you’re like many people, you probably place health-related goals like diet and exercise at the top of your list each year, which are great goals to have. But what about your skincare? Do you include skincare in your health goals?
Considering that your skin is the first line of defense against illness, it should be a top health priority. This year, it might be time to think about what you’re putting on your body and ponder making changes to boost your well-being with better skin and hair care habits.
Lucky for you, we have some ideas that will help! The following list contains nearly a dozen resolutions that will encourage you to get serious about your skin and your health. Even doing one or two of these can make a world of difference, no matter what type of skin you have. So pick one, choose a few, or try them all so you can look and feel your absolute best in 2023.
1. Stick to a skincare routine
Keeping a routine can be a challenge for many. For example, we might be so tired at night that we don’t feel like taking a few minutes to wash off the day's dirt, sweat and makeup. Or we might think nothing of switching products whenever we wish. But, the truth is, your skin is happiest and healthiest when it’s treated with consistency.
So what is a good skincare routine?
For one, you should start by washing your face twice a day. The products you use will depend on your skin type, but cleansing is essential both morning and night for everyone’s skin. Next, you should follow with a toner, serum and/or moisturizer that works best for your complexion challenges. You don’t need to use every one of these products necessarily, but it’s best to at least use a moisturizer after cleansing.
Exfoliating is also recommended for all skin types, except for the most sensitive skin. Taking this additional step 2-3 times per week will help clear skin of dead cells that can build up and lead to dryness and also get rid of other dirt and debris that can clog pores.
Remember that a good routine should always be based on your skin type, so figuring this out first is crucial.
2. Eat a diet rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants
On top of any diet resolutions you might be planning for 2023, you should also consider what nutrients you need for gorgeous, glowing skin. Which nutrients are those? If you think about it, all vitamins and minerals offer at least one benefit for your skin. But a few nutrients in particular help bring out the best in your complexion.
Some of the most beneficial nutrients our skin needs to be healthy are antioxidants. Antioxidants help us reduce and repair the oxidative damage caused by elements like the sun, air pollution, extreme weather, etc. Fending off this daily damage helps keep our skin from showing signs of premature aging, like wrinkles and fine lines.
The best way to get more antioxidants is to eat a large variety of fruits and vegetables. Plant-based foods are abundant in antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, flavonoids, and many other phytonutrients that protect your skin and allow it to better repair itself.
The second most important group of nutrients for your skin is essential fatty acids. Omega-3 and omega-6 are crucial to maintaining the integrity of your skin’s protective barrier, which naturally becomes compromised as we age. Without a fully intact barrier, moisture escapes the cells, leaving our skin feeling rough and dry. Omegas also help control inflammation, which is especially important if you have sensitive or reactive skin. You can find these fats in nuts, seeds, avocados and oily fish.
3. Switch to clean skincare products
Unfortunately, toxins are an unavoidable part of modern life. So the more we can minimize our exposure to them, the more likely we can enjoy excellent health and stay well long into the future. You do not need to add toxins to your body by using dangerous and harmful chemicals that can make you sick.
Some skincare ingredients are known chemical agents that can cause cancer or a whole host of hormone-related disorders. Which ones should you avoid? Here is a list of some of the most harmful ingredients you should avoid at all costs:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals
- PABA
- Octinoxate, oxybenzone and avobenzone (chemical sunscreens)
- Homosalate
- PEG
- Fragrance
- Sulfates
- Triclosan and triclocarban
- BHA and BHT
At Nurture My Body, we offer 100% natural, organic, toxin-free and fragrance-free skincare that never contains any of these ingredients. Check out all our products for your face, body and hair made with only the purest ingredients you can trust are effective and good for you.
If this becomes your resolution, start reading labels when you shop for skin and hair care products and do some research to find out whether the ingredients can hurt you. You’ll be so glad you did!
4. Wear sunscreen
Protecting yourself from the sun will go a long way to keep your skin looking healthy and young. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors, even on cloudy days and in the winter. Your sunscreen should be broad-spectrum and SPF 30 or higher to effectively get the job done.
To go along with resolution #3 above, avoid chemical sunscreens because they contain toxic ingredients that your skin will absorb, and they’re harmful to the environment. To be safe, only use mineral-based sun protection made with non-nano zinc oxide (like our sunscreen for babies and sensitive skin).
5. Throw out old makeup
It might seem like no big deal to use old cosmetics, but expired makeup can cause an array of unwanted problems. After a sitting around for a while, bacteria or mold can start to grow inside your makeup containers. If you continue using the products, you could experience skin reactions, breakouts, or infections. Not a pretty sight!
This year, make it a point to go through your makeup drawers and get rid of anything that’s old news. If you aren’t sure of the expiration date, look out for unusual or funky colors, unpleasant odors, and products that may have separated. These are all signs that it’s time to part ways. When in doubt, throw it out!
6. Wash your cosmetics brushes
This is another often overlooked habit that can cause unnecessary problems. Product residue and bacteria can build up over time and lurk in your applicator brushes without you even knowing they’re there. Putting them on your face can result in skin irritation, infection and clogged pores. The AAD recommends washing your cosmetic brushes every 7 to 10 days.
Here’s how to wash your makeup brushes:
1. Run the brushes under lukewarm water. Only wet the bristle part of the applicators to avoid damaging the handles.
2. Massage a mild shampoo into the brush.
3. Rinse the brush until it runs clear with no color.
4. Squeeze out moisture, then lay flat to dry. (Don’t allow it to dry in an upright position because this could also damage the handle)
Such a simple task and so worth it!
7. Get better sleep
So many people grapple with sleep challenges that this may be a longer-term goal that takes a bit of effort. But it’s also crucial to your overall health and the condition of your skin, so the effort will be well justified.
Luckily, some sleep habits are easily changed, like going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, eliminating distractions, avoiding caffeine and sugar at night, and avoiding computers and phones before hitting the hay. It helps to take a good look at what you typically do right before bed to see what might prevent you from sleeping well.
If you try these techniques but still struggle to sleep, you might need more help. For example, there could be underlying health issues that warrant a visit to a doctor. Sleep apnea is a common sleep problem that could require medical treatment.
Either way, sleep time is when your body and skin work the hardest to recover and repair themselves. But you’ll need good quality sleep to allow this to happen. That’s why getting to the root cause of any sleep problems can’t be overstated.
8. Use products that contain vitamins A and C
While many natural skincare ingredients contribute to the overall health of your skin, these two vitamins (A&C) are super important for your complexion, especially as we age.
Vitamin A is outstanding for reducing wrinkles and fine lines because it simulates collagen production and supports the regeneration of new skin cells. This powerhouse vitamin also balances oil production and has exfoliating properties, making it excellent for treating acne-prone skin. If that’s not enough, it can also help reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants you can use to combat free-radical damage. This skin-saving superhero also promotes the production of collagen, boosting the skin’s ability to repair itself and smooth out wrinkles. C also helps reduce hyperpigmentation and inflammation and can help decrease acne.
If all these benefits sound good, you’ll want to check out our best-selling Vita C Repair Cream. It’s made especially for mature skin and contains copious amounts of vitamin C and A to restore your youthful radiance.
9. Meditate or perform breathing exercises
Stress is a well-known destroyer of all things. So having tools to manage it better will prevent stress from hijacking your health and your life. How you deal with stressful situations can have a significant impact on the condition of your skin too.
The release of cortisol and other fight-or-flight hormones during tough times can cause inflammation to increase everywhere in your body, including your skin cells. So, adding meditation to your skincare resolution list is an excellent idea to keep cortisol at bay.
You can try this basic meditation practice or use an app like Headspace or Calm to get your relaxation going. Or you can opt to take a class on meditation or deep breathing at your local wellness center or yoga studio. Luckily, there are more ways than ever to learn how to meditate.
Mindfulness is a powerful thing that anyone can easily incorporate into their routine.
10. Ditch sulfate shampoos
Sulfates are known to be toxic to our health and the health of the environment to some degree. Disturbingly, they’re a common ingredient in most shampoos on the shelf. This is an excellent reason to make 2023 the year you ditch these harmful products in favor of an all-natural alternative that’s just as effective and won’t deplete all the moisture from your strands.
You can read all about the dangers of sulfates and why you should make this healthy haircare resolution a top priority in this blog post.
11. Stay hydrated
Drinking more water is a common goal for many people, yet it’s still challenging to conquer. That's probably because it takes a strong conscious effort to consume the recommended daily amount of water, which is 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 for women, according to the Mayo Clinic.
All the organs in your body can function better when they’re not battling dehydration, and your skin is no exception. And if you consider that skin hydration gets harder to maintain as we age due to changes in skin-cell structure, it makes sense to start making hydration a full-blown habit now. So make 2023 the year you drink every last drop of the optimal amount of vital H2O.
To sum it all up...
If you’re ready to kick your skin and hair care up a notch this coming year, this list should inspire and motivate you to get started. Skincare is health care, and making your health your number one goal can transform your life in infinite ways. Taking small steps at first might help make these resolutions stick around through the entire year and beyond. Once you see the benefits of these changes, like increased confidence and better clarity, you won’t want to go back to your old ways!