The first of the year is undoubtedly the most well-intentioned. Over the holidays, good habits seem to tumble like dominos. After all, late-night holiday parties and seemingly later Amazon gifting rabbit holes can result in anyone forgetting to wipe off their makeup before bed. January, however, brings with it a call to get back on track, and your beauty regimen can benefit big time from a reboot.
So, I talked to some of Hollywood’s go-to wellness experts and Debra Jaliman, a New York City dermatologist and Skin Rules author for tips on how to squeeze in a little skin love. By re-imagining easy ways to approach self-care, you're better able to stick with them, turning them into long-term habits. The best part? Some take mere seconds to do, but go a long way to toward saving your face, body—and spirit.
These are the top tips from experts on how to reset your beauty routine for 2018.
Wash your face without leaving bed
After a long day at work and battling the elements both internal and external (a la harsh weather and stress), the last thing you want to do is start an elaborate night-time skin-care routine when you get home from a long day. But, Dr. Jaliman says that you can take care of your complexion with just a few key tools on your nightstand. “I always keep skin wipes by my bedside so I don't forget to take off my makeup—sleeping with it on leads to clogged pores and breakouts,” she says. Try a super soft pre-moistened cloth such as Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes, $24, that's packed with skin-smoothing alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, coupled with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and green tea. A legit cleanse from the comfort of your own covers? Now that anyone can handle.
Take two seconds to glow
Dr. Jaliman has a genius tip for glowing skin achieved with minimal effort. “Keep an anti-aging serum next to your bed as well,” she says. After you've toweled off your makeup with a wipe, add one pump to your fingertips and lightly massage it into your skin. Dr. Jaliman suggests choosing one with antioxidants to combat free radical damage the next morning or a nighttime formula, such as Kat Burki Retin-C Treatment Complex, $165, which uses a gentle form of retinol plus antioxidant-rich vitamin C to help brighten skin.
Bathe like Oprah
When the mighty O takes a bath, she doesn’t skimp with the salts. And Dawn Russell, 8Greens founder and author of the newly-released The 8Greens Cookbook, suggests everyone do the same. She recommends a classic—and affordable— Epsom salt soak, such as Dr Teal's Epsom Salt & Essential Oils Pink Himalayan Mineral Soak, $5, for its incredible skin-softening effect. “When I take an Epsom salt bath, I use more than recommended—often a full bag," says Russell. "When you get out of the bath, air dry and go to bed. In the morning, your skin is like butter.” The benefits could be more than skin deep, too. Some studies have indicated that hot baths are even helpful in sending you off to dream land.
Forget your hair, brush your body instead
Morning energy boosts are just as important as nighttime relaxation tactics. Russell swears by dry brushing your body ahead of showering to increase circulation. The feel-good side effect from that surge in blood flow? “It helps a lot with energy," she says. "The harder the bristles, the better." Look for a handle-free version that you can easily hold in the palm of your hand (the Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush, $45, has a detachable handle). “This lets you apply more substantial pressure as you massage your skin,” she notes. Here's how to do it like a pro: Hold the brush in your hand and on dry skin (yes, it really has to be dry), start making small circular motions directed toward the center of the body. Start at your ankles and work up your body (think: wax on, wax off).
Roll on, fitness buff
If hitting the gym (and thereby putting your foam roller to good use) is on your list of to-dos, you'll be happy to note that the cylinder has a secret beauty benefit: It can be skin-smoothing. Foam rolling targets the fascia (or connective tissue that's often made up of collagen) that surrounds, stabilizes, and separates the body’s muscles and organs. According to Lauren Roxburgh a body worker, trainer, and fascia and alignment expert, who works with some of the world’s top athletes and celebs, it’s a holistic solution that purportedly helps to address cellulite, too.
“By targeting the fascia, rolling helps hydrate your body with fresh, oxygenated blood and nutrients, helping them become more flexible and youthful,” she says. The result: smoother skin. Of course, regular rolling has so many more pros. "Daily rolling helps you stay in alignment, improve body awareness, breathe deeper and better, release accumulated stress, and stand taller,” says Roxburgh, who has developed her own travel-friendly body roller, the LoRox Aligned Travel Roller $23, for those on the go (as in: everyone).
Your 2018 skin goals are on point. Now, detoxify all other aspects of your life (including your makeup brushes) with our easy to follow (Re)new week-by-week program to help you achieve all of your wellness goals.
Loading More Posts...
