Resolutions are a mainstay for many of us through the month of January, but by the time February rolls around, chances are we’ve abandoned them and fallen back into our more convenient, comfortable behaviors.
This includes the resolutions we make in regards to our appearance.
Instead of setting lofty goals that are vague and hard to stick to, consider these three healthy skin resolutions that are simple to adopt and easy to keep.
- Drink more water. When it comes to easy but healthy habits, drinking water nears the top of the list. Getting enough water each day hydrates skin, detoxes our bodies, even fights wrinkling, and all of these contribute to a more youthful, vibrant appearance. Keep a reusable bottle with you during the day so you can stay hydrated wherever you are – work, the gym, school, the PTA meeting, anywhere!
- Ditch the sugar habit. This one can be tough, since sugar is in everything from soda to pasta sauce. But it’s a resolution that’s worth a little extra effort. Sugar does serious damage to how we look, from affecting how we sleep and promoting inflammation, to causing unsightly acne flare-ups. Sugar is also responsible for the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin, leaving it looking dull, dry, and papery. It’s not reasonable to think you can completely eliminate all sugar from your diet right away, but you can be smarter about eating it. For starters, try to be mindful of food labels, and skip out on the things that you know are full of refined sugars, such as cakes, candy, and soft drinks, when you can.
- Go to bed earlier. We definitely understand. Between making dinner, working late, and catching up on Netflix, it can be tough to get to bed at a reasonable hour. But all those late nights can show up on your face the next morning. Research has found that lack of sleep quickens the skin’s aging process. It’s also been connected to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, and may also be the culprit for dark under-eye circles and puffiness. Instead of pulling all those late-nighters, give yourself a decent bedtime and aim stick to it. To make your bedroom more conducive to sleep, power down electronics an hour before you lay down and don’t bring work into bed. You can also get into relaxing sleep-mode by taking a bath, reading a book (the paper variety), and spraying lavender essential oil on your pillowcase.
Here’s to a more beautiful you in 2016!
