Resolved: You're going to show off your most beautiful skin in 2012. And you don't need to overhaul your entire beauty regimen or invest in a ton of new products to achieve this. Just launch the new year with these simple steps.
1. Make sure your daily skin-care regimen includes the three essentials
A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher; an antioxidant serum or lotion with ingredients like vitamin C, green tea or coffeeberry; and a wrinkle-reducing retinol cream or gel. "The antioxidant and sunscreen will defend and protect your skin during the day," says New York City-based dermatologist Linda K. Franks, "and the nighttime retinol will switch your skin to the offensive mode, producing new cells and collagen to keep your complexion looking young."
2. Cleanse your skin every single night
Late Saturday nights and stressful weeknights included. Going to sleep with the day's accumulation of grime, dead skin cells and makeup clogging your pores can lead to the growth of acne bacteria and those nasty big red zits.
3. Practice good skin hygiene
If you find yourself breaking out on the side of your face where you hold your cell phone, switch to an earpiece or clean your phone with an oil-free wipe once a day to make sure you're not transferring grime to your skin. Plus, be mindful of not touching your skin when you're eating greasy food, like French fries or pizza. The oils that you're introducing to the surface of your skin with your fingertips may be the culprit behind those breakouts.
4. Choose products that match your skin now
Review your skin's changing needs. Sebum production decreases as we get older, so that acne wash that has helped keep your skin clear for years may be a tad too drying now. Likewise, a richer moisturizer may also be in order if the current one you're using doesn't work like it used to. Beauty companies now offer lines that are formulated for specific skin needs. Take advantage of these.