16 New (and Easy) Skin-Care Resolutions You Can Actually Stick With This Year

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As 2022 quickly approaches, you're probably in the process of reflecting over the past year — or decade, even — and starting to set your goals for the coming year. You might resolve to be more active, travel more, or keep better contact with your friends. But most of all, you should definitely set some skincare goals for yourself in the new year.

Whether you want to drink more water, get better sleep, mask more often, or invest in some skincare gadgets, these are a few attainable skincare goals you can set for yourself next year. If you stick to this plan, you're sure to look your glowiest through 2022 and beyond.

01
Take Better Care of Your Body Skin
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Take Better Care of Your Body Skin

Like most other beauty-lovers, you're probably used to incorporating at least a handful of products to take care of your face. But have you thought about how much effort you put into the skin on the rest of your body recently? In 2020, make it a priority to love on your body skin as much as you care for the skin on your face. You should be cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing your body on a daily basis the same way you do your face.

I'm quite partial to Necessaire's line of bodycare products, especially its The Body Wash ($25) and The Body Exfoliator ($30). The brand is a clean beauty brand, and all of the products are formulated with sensitive skin in mind (even the ones that have fragrances). For a more affordable body lotion option, check out Dove's Cream Oil Intensive Body Lotion ($5), which has a rich and creamy formula perfect for Winter.

02
Pare Down Your Skincare Routine
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Pare Down Your Skincare Routine

In recent years, the 12-step skincare routine has become increasingly popular, but as people start to become overwhelmed with the number of products on their vanities, they've started to declutter everything in their lives — including their skincare routines. (We can thank Marie Kondo for that.) In 2020, consider taking a hard look at all of the products that you've hoarded over the past year and get rid of the things that aren't really working for you. It's entirely possible to have both a morning and nighttime skincare routine that comprises fewer than 10 products. Less can definitely be more, especially when it comes to skin care.

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Mask at Least Once a Week
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Mask at Least Once a Week

Even though you may already be masking pretty regularly, make a commitment to yourself to put on a face mask at least once a week. Not only will your skin thank you, but taking a 15-minute break to sit with your mask on while you catch up on your reading or Netflix show is a wonderful way to set aside some time to take care of yourself every week. It's your chance to zen out and really enjoy the fact that you're doing something good for yourself.

If you're looking for a superhydrating mask, I always recommend the Dr. Jart+ Hydration Lover Rubber Mask ($12) because it leaves your skin feeling so soft afterward. For something more brightening, the Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask ($68) leaves skin looking glowy and healthy, and to slough off your dead skin, check out the Summer Fridays Overtime Mask ($44).

04
Actually Wash Your Face Every Night
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Actually Wash Your Face Every Night

I know — washing your face every night seems like such a chore. But no matter how tired you may be, washing your face every night actually makes a huge difference in the appearance and overall health of your skin. In 2020, promise yourself that you will always cleanse your face at night. You'll get rid of all the dirt and makeup caked on your face throughout the day, and you'll hit the pillow feeling super refreshed.

The Glamglow Supercleanse Clearing Cream-to-Foam Cleanser ($32) is a great one to use if you really want to clean out your pores, and more sensitive skin types will absolutely love the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser ($20) for daily use.

05
Spread Your Skincare Onto Your Neck and Hands
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Spread Your Skincare Onto Your Neck and Hands

Everyone is always worried about their face showing age, but did you know that your neck and hands often show signs of aging before other parts of your body do? Make sure you're caring for both of those spots when you're also caring for your face. A great rule of thumb? Apply all the same skincare products on your neck and hands that you do on your face.

06
Use Sunscreen Every Single Day
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Use Sunscreen Every Single Day

This is one skincare resolution that bears repeating every single year. Regardless of it's cold outside, if the sky is overcast, or if you're planning on wearing a hat, daily SPF is an absolute must. Not only does it protect your skin from disease, but it also helps slow down signs of aging. Make sure you keep your face moisturizer on your vanity next to the rest of your daytime skincare routine so you don't forget to put it on.

I absolutely love Tatcha's Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen ($65) for everyday use because it goes on feeling like skin care — without that sticky sunscreen feeling — and also works well as a primer underneath makeup. When I run out of that, I turn to my other two faves, the Drunk Elephant Sheer Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen ($34) and Perricone MD's High Potency Classics: Face Finishing & Firming Moisturizer Tint ($69). I love that the Drunk Elephant one goes on so smoothly and feels like you have nothing on, and I use the Perricone MD one when I don't want to wear makeup because the tint gives a slight "no-makeup day" coverage.

07
Start Incorporating Essences Into Your Routine
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Start Incorporating Essences Into Your Routine

Essences are an often misunderstood skincare category. Some people think they work in place of toners, or in addition to toners, or that they're meant to be used on their own. Speaking from experience, my skin always looks better when I'm using an essence versus when I'm not, so it's no wonder that many Asian skincare routines consider it an absolute must have in any regimen. Essences are made to be a base layer of hydration to help the rest of your skin care work better on top of it. In 2020, consider investing in one so you can see and feel the difference on your face.

My absolute ride-or-die essence is the Peach & Lily Wild Dew Treatment Essence ($39). It makes my skin feel unbelievably soft (even when I use it on its own without other serums) and truly does make my skincare routine work so much better. I also really like the Sulwhasoo Bloomstay Vitalizing Water ($75) and Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid ($39).

08
Commit to Being an Eco-Conscious Beauty Consumer
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Commit to Being an Eco-Conscious Beauty Consumer

The beauty industry has slowly become more eco-conscious in the past few years, but it needs the help of consumers to really invigorate the push toward more sustainable business models. In 2020, do your best to invest in products that champion more sustainable packaging and also make a commitment to be a more conscious consumer.

Kinship, a new skincare brand, launched in November using packaging made of postconsumer recycled plastic, paper, and cardboard, and Lush is known for its "naked" line of products that come without any kind of packaging. Farmacy prints its ingredients and product information with soy ink onto FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified paper harvested from well-managed forests, and many brands like Herbivore and Tata Harper house the majority of their products in glass bottles.

After you finish a product, make an effort to repurpose that bottle or jar in some other way to reduce the amount of waste you create. You can use little jars as succulent holders, and small glass dropper bottles can be reused when you're traveling.

09
Bring the Spa Home With You
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Bring the Spa Home With You

While there's nothing that can ever replace the feeling of going to a spa and having a facial done by a professional, there are a ton of fun gadgets that you can invest in to bring the spa home with you. Everything from microneedling to LED therapy has a mini at-home version that you can use to maintain your skin in between spa appointments.

For dermaplaning, try out the Dermaflash 2.0 Luxe ($199) to help remove peach fuzz and dead skin from the surface of your skin. If you're an LED therapy fan, you should try out the Skin Inc. Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light ($295), which targets spots on your face for everything from rough texture to hyperpigmentation. And of course, there are a ton of face massagers on the market that can help you relax your face, reduce puffiness, and stimulate blood circulation. A high-end option is Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar ($195).

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Try Out New Treatments and Splurge on Your Skin
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Try Out New Treatments and Splurge on Your Skin

There are tons of new treatments that pop up every couple months, and though it can seem difficult to keep up with all of them, try as many of them as you can in 2020. You might find that you really enjoy how your skin looks after you get a certain treatment done, and you can ask for it anytime you decide to treat yourself to a facial.

When I got my first facial with Shani Darden, she used microcurrent gloves to help sculpt out my face and help my muscles relax a little bit; now, I can't experience microcurrent any other way. I treated myself to a gua sha facial at The Things We Do, and now I literally daydream about that facial massage all the time. Splurging on treatments helps you find out which things you really enjoy and, ultimately, helps you take better care of your skin.

11
Use a Humidifier on a Regular Basis
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Use a Humidifier on a Regular Basis

A lot of skin issues can be resolved by keeping your skin hydrated — regardless of whether your skin is oily, combo, or dry. One easy trick is to keep a humidifier by you whenever you get a chance. The Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier ($39) makes it easy for the air around you to stay moist because it's only six inches tall and powered via USB. You can plug it into your computer while you work or in your car while you drive and, my personal favorite, you can use it on a long plane ride to keep your skin feeling fresh.

If you live in a drier climate or just generally want your home to feel more humid, consider investing in a room humidifier like the Dyson Air Multiplier AM10 Hygienic Mist Humidifier ($500). Use it while you sleep or while you're working at home so you can keep your skin feeling fresh and bouncy.

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Treat Yourself to Procedures That Make Your Life Easier
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Treat Yourself to Procedures That Make Your Life Easier

For a beauty writer, I'm actually pretty low-maintenance when it comes to my everyday getting-ready routine. As much as possible, I want to cut down the amount of time that it takes for me to get ready in the morning so I can get out the door and head wherever I need to. This quest for ease in my morning regimen led me to Connie Ko, who did a brow lamination and tint, lash lift and tint, and lip blush for me. Now, I literally just put on moisturizer and SPF and head out the door when I have to run errands because my brows, lashes, and lips are already done. Make 2020 the year you invest in skincare procedures that will make your life easier and allow you to get out the door in a hurry when you need to.

13
Actually Go See a Dermatologist
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Actually Go See a Dermatologist

This one probably sounds obvious, but in case you aren't doing this already, you should be seeing a dermatologist at least once a year. As you mature, your body can react differently to products and ingredients that you've been using your whole life, and seeing a specialist can help you decipher what those irritants are. It's great to have someone to check in with every time you have an issue, but generally, one checkup a year is good to make sure you're keeping up with your skin's health.

14
Don't Forget Your Lips
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Don't Forget Your Lips

When it comes to skin care, it's so easy to forget perhaps the most delicate area: your lips. You don't have to wait until they're chapped, splitting, or just plain hurting, either – exfoliating this sensitive skin should be a year-round thing, which is why you should adopt a lip care regimen. The basics? Lip scrub once or twice a week, lip treatments when you need 'em at night, and lip balm as needed throughout the day. Our favorites include the Beauty By POPSUGAR Be Smooth Sugar Lip Scrub ($22), Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($20), and our Lip Bloom Lip Balm ($15, normally $20).

15
Make Your Sleep Work For You
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Make Your Sleep Work For You

"Beauty sleep" is a real thing, and you should be getting as much of it as you can. But in the event that you're not able to get a full night's rest, make sure you're effectively using the time you have in bed to help your skin care work better. I'm a huge fan of taking Hum Nutrition's Mighty Night ($40) supplements before bed to support better sleep, encourage skin cell renewal, and wake up with a fresh face.

You should also consider investing in silk pillowcases like Shhh Silk's Zippered Queen Size Pillowcases ($159 for two) to prevent your skin care from rubbing off throughout the night (and so you don't wake up with dents and creases on your face). Make 2020 the year you not only take care of your skin consciously but also when you're passed out and far away in dreamland.

16
Drink More Water
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Drink More Water

It's no secret that drinking lots of water is great for your overall health, but it's especially great for your skin. Your skin often reacts to your body's dehydration, causing it to flake or to break out in response. Make it a personal mission to carry around a reusable water bottle wherever you go in 2020 so you can stay hydrated no matter where you are.

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