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023 was a year of skincare exploits. Sure, some trends — *cough slugging cough* — were a bit excessive (do we really need to coat our faces in petroleum jelly for some glow?), but many beauty rituals that emerged proved to be worthwhile. As you settle into 2024 wishing for an even brighter, clearer complexion, here are 10 skincare habits to develop if you want your best skin yet. Consider this your guide to fuss-free skin in the new year.
Check out these 10 beauty tips for clear skin this year…
- Get your beauty sleep: We’ve all pulled late-nighters binge-watching shows or doom scrolling. But staying up into the wee hours can make us look, well, sleepy. Aim for 7-9 hours per night so your skin rejuvenates and repairs itself. Skimp on sleep and no amount of concealer will fully disguise those under-eye bags.
- Stay hydrated: Water = happy skin cells. Dehydrated skin looks dull, so be diligent about drinking enough H2O and eating water-rich fruits and veggies daily. Pro tip: Add another glass of water if you had wine the night before to counteract alcohol’s dehydrating effects.
- Eat right: Radiant skin blooms from within when we nourish it with skin-loving superfoods. Pack in more Vitamin C foods like citrus fruits, peppers, and broccoli, healthy fats from avocados and olive oil, and antioxidant-rich dark chocolate for that glow.
- Hands off: Are you guilty of resting your chin in your hand or rubbing your eyes when you’re tired? It’s time to break these bad habits. All that touching transfers dirt, oil, and bacteria onto your skin, clogging pores and causing breakouts.
- Massage your face: Take a page from the gua sha trend and incorporate gentle lymphatic drainage massages into your routine. Using clean hands, apply light pressure as you massage from your chin up towards your ears and down your neck. The boost in circulation leaves skin looking tightened and toned.
- Double cleanse: Do you think once is enough to wash your face clean? Think again. Start with an oil cleanser to melt away makeup and impurities, then follow up with your regular cleanser to remove any residual oil and dirt. Just don’t overdo it or you may strip your skin and disrupt its protective barrier.
- Apply sunscreen (even indoors): Unless you have plans to have bare minimum skin in 2024, make SPF non-negotiable every day. Even incidental UV exposure from sitting beside a sunny window causes damage over time. I recommend keeping a bottle on your desk or setting a reminder for you to reapply.
- Find products for your skin type: One-size-fits-all skincare never yields the best results, and you know that. Pinpoint what best addresses your key concerns — acne, dryness, oiliness, redness, etc — and use it. Once you know your skin type and its challenges, finding your perfect routine becomes much less mystifying.
- Drop the smoking habit: If you need an excuse to finally kick the smoking habit, let vanity be your motivation. Smoking causes collagen breakdown and premature aging. And who wants extra wrinkles? Consider 2024 as the year you (and your skin) quit for good.
- Treat yourself to monthly facials: Resolve to pamper yourself with regular facials for a deeper cleanse and glow than what you can achieve at home. Monthly extractions keep pores clear, customized masks and serums address your specific issues, and facial massages sculpt and tone.
Here’s to discovering your best skin yet in 2024. Cheers to your brightest, most luminous complexion ever.
Featured image: puhhha/iStock
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