A new year means another chance to do great things. While you’re in the mindset of New Year resolutions, let our dermatologists suggest some best practices you can adopt for 2023 to help your skin look its best and be its healthiest.
- Clean out your makeup stash. Old makeup breeds bacteria and can cause infections. If you have old makeup or skincare products hanging around, clear them out. Focus on gentle cleansers and moisturizers (or, if you have a particular skin condition, use the products recommended by your dermatologist). Foundation and blush should be thrown out every two years. Lipsticks last one year. Eye makeup like mascara and eyeliner should be replaced every few months.
- Use sunscreen. If you’ve heard it before, it’s because it’s good advice. Daily sunscreen is essential to protecting yourself from damaging UV rays that can age you prematurely and cause skin cancer. This resolution could be as simple as switching out your makeup or moisturizer for one that includes sunscreen.
- Moisturize. Keep your skin hydrated and younger looking by moisturizing morning and night. Our dermatologists recommend a paraben- and fragrance-free body moisturizer like Cetaphil, applied after showering when skin is still damp. For the face, choose a non-comedogenic brand or talk to your dermatologist about the best option for your skin type.
- Drink more water. Staying hydrated can protect you from dry, cracked skin, under eyes circles, and even acne. Water flushes out toxins that affect your complexion and hydrates the skin from the inside out, reducing wrinkles and other signs of aging. Switch out soda, energy drinks, and teas for eight, 8-ounce glasses of simple, refreshing water per day–more if you are working out or sweating.
- Wash your makeup brushes. Like old makeup, your brushes can harbor bacteria. Cleaning them protects your skin and helps the brushes last longer, saving you money. Wash your most-used brushes once a week in warm water with a drop of baby shampoo. Rinse them clean and let them air dry. You can also use a brush cleaning spray between washes to kill bacteria and condition the bristles.
- Eat more antioxidants. Free radicals are charged particles that, in high levels, cause premature aging to the skin and body. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals, bringing the body back into balance. Eating an antioxidant-rich diet protects your skin on a cellular level. Some of the highest levels of anti-aging antioxidants are found in dark green vegetables, sweet potatoes, berries, grapes, walnuts, and pomegranates.
- Get a skin check. This one is the easiest resolution on the list—make an appointment at Arizona Dermatology for your annual skin check. Adults of all skin types and tones should be examined once a year for skin cancer, precancerous cells, or problematic moles. If skin cancer is found, your doctor may want to perform skin checks more often.
From all of us at Arizona Dermatology, have a very happy and healthy New Year!
