People don’t change their lives until they are ready.  This is in part why many New Years’ resolutions fail. If you are ready to commit to any new change, skincare-related or not, read on!  In this blog, we will break down some useful tactics to reach your goals consistently as well as a few easy additions to your routine to help create healthier habits for your 2022 lifestyle. 

Three steps to set yourself up for success:

• Check your mindset- are you ready to make a change? Fully understand what your motivator (your why) is in accomplishing this goal. 

• Create your goals and make them SMART! 
• Specific
• Measurable, incorporate numbers and dates 
• Attainable, start small
• Realistic
• Time-Bound, a clearly defined timeline with a start date and a target date 

• Engineer your environment for success.
• Declutter
• Write goals in a visible location/create a vision board

With your new SMART goal, a clear environment and mind, we are setting the stage for a successful year!  If you are not quite sure what to focus on improving, here are some suggestions for skincare-related resolutions.  Each of these five points below can significantly improve skin health if implemented consistently.

• Don’t leave the house without SPF.  In your mind equate SPF to clothing.  Would you leave the house naked? Very likely, no.

• Hydrate from the inside out. If you're not staying properly hydrated your body will pull moisture from your skin. Start every day by drinking a full cup of water, preferably warm. Think about a raisin vs a grape, if you live constantly dehydrated your skin will resemble a wrinkly raisin. Yikes, right?  By simply drinking more water you will flush toxins out of your body and increase the elasticity of your skin - ie: grape.  The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is:
• About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men
• About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women

• Eat more whole foods and less processed sugars. This sounds easy in theory but can be tricky when you’re walking down the cookie aisle, or really any of the interior aisles of the grocery store.  In grocery stores, whole foods are typically on the outer edge of the store and processed foods are in middle aisles.  This is clever marketing on the store’s part because customers have to walk by all of the tempting end displays to get from the apples to the eggs on either end of the store.  Challenge yourself one of these days - can you complete a grocery run by staying on the outer edge of the grocery store?
• FYI: Processed sugar and carb-heavy prepackaged foods can cause a spike in your insulin levels. A rise in insulin levels creates inflammation, which produces enzymes that break down collagen. Start by limiting these particular foods to weekends or special occasions.

• Manage Stress. The stress hormone cortisol causes increased oil production which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.  Managing stress is easier said than done and is very individualized. Here are some general tips:
• Cut screen time significantly and set boundaries for the type of content you expose yourself to. Do a social media audit, is there content you expose yourself to that leaves you feeling worse than before? Unfollow!
• Aim for at least 15 mins of intentional exercise a day. Walk, run, bike, jump - anything to move your body. 
• Meditation is a powerful tool- explore mediation aids like the Calm app, Headspace, or free Youtube videos
• Journal to decompress, many studies prove people who write down what they are grateful for tend to be happier and less depressed
• Connect with others 
• Carve out time for hobbies
• Step outside and breathe fresh air

• Give your skin what it needs. Aim for consistency with your skincare routine and reevaluate your skincare needs as time goes on. A basic routine can include the following for normal skin:
• Cleanse in PM (leave cleanser in shower or at the sink so it’s visible to remind) 
• Apply one serum before bed (light retinol or a hydrating serum if very dry) then apply your nighttime moisturizer (NOT the same one that you use in AM with spf) 
• In the AM, you can skip the cleanse if you choose (it’s ok!) apply a vitamin C serum followed by a daytime moisturizer that has SPF.

Skincare routines can be simple and consistency is key! Of course, you can always add more steps. To truly change the skin, some may need more corrective products.  Radiance offers complimentary consultations and we are always happy to educate others on how to best care for their skin individually and establish a home regimen.

Keeping our New Years’ resolutions realistic and simple will result in a higher success rate, while not feeling completely overwhelmed and deprived. “New Year, New Me” has gotten old, and after all it’s illogical. Yes, it’s a new year but same old me.  Approaching the new year with a new mindset is the best way to tackle the goals you set for yourself. With this improved lifestyle remember, you do not have to be perfect. Be realistic.  Moderation is key, splurge on what feeds your soul every now and then whatever that may be. 

Are you ready to incorporate healthier habits into your lifestyle this new year?

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