Your skin will love these resolutions (Picture: Getty Images)
Another 365 days might almost be over, but if there’s one thing a lot of us still struggle with, it’s our skin.
Poorly timed breakouts, becoming an oily mess, redness, body acne – the list goes on.
So unless you’ve got your skin routine down to a fine art, re-evaluating your skincare goals is probably on your list as we look ahead to the new year.
Not sure where to start? Here are three top tips from renowned dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto, to help you achieve your skin goals for 2023.
SPF – all year round
One of the biggest acne myths is that sunscreen will block your pores and cause spots, and therefore should be avoided.
But Dr Anjali, who has partnered with Purifide, says that it is indeed a myth, explaining ‘acne-prone skin can be more in need of sun protection as UV exposure can increase pigmentation’.
She adds that ‘sunlight can also drive comedones or blackheads, so it can actually make your acne worse’.
Oof. That’ll keep us using our SPF every day, thank you very much.
Daily sunscreen is also important due to the increased sensitivity to light that can happen if you’re using some blemish-fighting ingredients like retinol, benzoyl peroxide, some exfoliating acids or vitamin C.
Your skin will thank you (Picture: Getty Images)
Set a good routine and stick to it
For general skincare, Dr Anjali says you can see great results by keeping it simple: She suggests: ‘A morning routine of cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen, with an evening routine of makeup remover, cleanser and then use a gentle light non-comedogenic moisturiser without SPF’.
You may find that high-end and high-street cleansers and moisturisers have the same ingredients, so no need to break the bank.
But it’s important to find a routine and stick to it. Remember that the skin’s natural renewal and repair cycle is around four weeks, so stick with new routines for at least this long to really see how its working for you.
Everyone focuses on their face but don’t forget the rest of your body too (Picture: Getty Images)
Face and body all in one
If hitting the gym is part of your new year’s plans, you don’t need to splurge on a whole new cleanser, body mist, or other gym clothes to look after the skin on your face and body – just use your face wash.
‘People who go to the gym or wear tight gym gear for an extended period of time can get more spots on their chest, back and bottom because of the heat and sweat generated and compressed in those areas,’ said Dr Anjali.
‘If you are prone to chest and back acne, there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t use your face washes and other products that you might already use, containing active ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide or zinc, to wash your chest and back as well.’
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Say goodbye to damaged skin.
