It’s that time of year again when we look back and decide which skin habits we’re going to leave behind and which ones we’re taking with us into the new year. If achieving gorgeous, healthy-looking skin is on your list of top priorities for 2019, you’ve come to the right place. We’re laying out the beauty resolutions you should make for the new year.BEAUTY RESOLUTION #1: APPLY BROAD SPECTRUM SPF EVERYDAYSun damage is one of the top skin concerns dermatologists see daily. If you haven’t been as diligent with your sunscreen applications, now’s the time to adopt a better habit. Not only can wearing Broad Spectrum SPF 15 or higher help protect your skin against sunburn, it can also help prevent premature signs of aging—think: wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots—and even lower your risk of developing skin cancer. Smooth a water-resistant formula onto all areas of exposed skin daily, and reapply at least every two hours. We’re sharing our favorite sunscreens of all time, here.Editor’s note: There’s currently no sunscreen on the market that can fully protect your skin from damage. As such, we recommend pairing your sunscreen use with additional protection measures such as wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and avoiding peak sun hours.BEAUTY RESOLUTION #2: DON’T NEGLECT YOUR NECKYou may have pin-pointed the best anti-aging products for stopping the clock when it comes to your face, but it’s important you take care of the skin south of your chin, too. Since the neck is often neglected in a routine, it’s one of the first areas of skin to show signs of aging.BEAUTY RESOLUTION #3: SCHEDULE CHECKUPS WITH YOUR DERMATOLOGISTVisiting a dermatologist when you need help addressing a skin concern is a good move, but that’s not the only reason you should book an appointment. Frequent checkups and skin screenings are an important way to not only build a relationship with your provider, but also to help ensure your skin is healthy and free of any suspicious (or potentially cancerous) moles or lesions.BEAUTY RESOLUTION #4: TAKE OFF YOUR MAKEUP BEFORE BEDIf you can’t count the number of times you went to bed without taking off your makeup in 2018, this resolution should be on your list. Make it your goal to cleanse your skin and remove all traces of makeup before shut-eye. Not only can this extra step help prevent clogged pores and breakouts but it can also ensure your skin’s self-repair during shut-eye is not hindered.If getting up to cleanse over the sink sounds like a stretch, keep a bottle of micellar water and cotton pads on your nightstand to wipe away impurities from the comfort of your own bed without needing to rinse off.BEAUTY RESOLUTION #5: DRINK MORE WATERAre you drinking the recommended amount of water per day? If the answer’s no, now’s your time to change that. Dehydration can not only take its toll on your body, but it can cause your skin to appear less plump and fresh. If you want to add a kick to a plain glass of H2O, give one of these fruit water recipes a test.BEAUTY RESOLUTION #6: EXFOLIATE WEEKLYJust like deep-cleaning your apartment, your pores need weekly maintenance sessions, too. Stock up on common exfoliators like a facial scrub or your favorite AHA to remove a buildup of dead skin cells that could be causing a dull, lackluster skin appearance.BEAUTY RESOLUTION #7: ELIMINATE STRESSORSDid you know that there’s a link between stress and acne? If you feel like your stress levels are through the roof, discover new ways to unwind and relax. This could include drawing up a bath, reading your favorite book, or going for a nightly run. The more you do to relax your mind and eliminate the stressors in your life, the better you are setting yourself up for a happy and healthy new year.
