Healthy Skin in the New Year

IT'S BEEN QUITE A YEAR, AND SOME OF US (MY HAND IS RAISED TOO) MIGHT HAVE NEGLECTED OUR SKIN A BIT WHILE DEALING WITH THE STRESS & UNKNOWNS OUR WORLD TODAY.

SO, HOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUR HABITS TO HAVE THE BEST SKIN IN THE NEW YEAR? LET’S DIVE IN.

GET MORE SLEEP.

Sleep is ESSENTIAL to the health of our body & mind, including our skin. While we sleep, our bodies release human growth hormones - a necessary ingredient for collagen production. When you don't get enough sleep, your cortisol levels are elevated, which can interfere with your mood, but also negatively effects your hair, nails & skin!

CLEANSE TWICE.

Cleansing once is just not enough. Regardless if you're wearing makeup, binging your favorite show at home, or wearing a mask all day out and about, your skin needs the extra cleansing. The first cleanse removes pollutants, debris, surface oils and residue off the skin, but the SECOND cleanse actually cleanses the skin & balances pH. This allows for proper penetration of your professional & medical grade products and allows them to be more efficient.

RELAX MORE.

Did you know stress can make your skin more sensitive and reactive? Stress impairs the barrier function of the skin allowing irritants, allergens, and infectious agents to penetrate into the skin. This is why it's so important to take time to relax! Studies have shown skin rejuvenation procedures help improve your outward appearance, but also how you feel, so make time for downtime and give your mind a break (like yoga or meditating.)

BE MORE POSITIVE.

We should strive for skin positivity, not perfection. Step away from the magnifying mirror and put down the extraction tool. You are a beautiful being and should celebrate the wonderful things about your skin & body! Reciting positive affirmations daily & practicing selfcare are ways you can tune your brain to loving the skin you have...and can also lead to you being a more positive person all around!

BE KIND.

Did you know that being kind to others can actually decrease YOUR stress levels? Holding the door for a stranger, buying coffee for the car behind you, or simply stop complaining as much. Being kinder takes a change in habits, but it has lasting positive outcomes for your overall wellbeing. We can live life with more joy, gratitude and love when we are kinder to others.

**Don't forget to be kind to yourself. It's been a tough year, and if you checked off more of your Netflix watch list instead of your project list, that's absolutely ok.**

DRINK WATER.

Your body uses water in every single cell, organ and tissue, which means we are constantly losing water! We know that drinking water is essential, but a lot of us are not getting our daily requirement. When we are drinking (and eating) an adequate amount of water, our systems can operate more efficiently, we sleep better, and our gut health is improved! Gut health has a direct connection to weight control, digestive health, and a more positive overall mood, which can make being kinder a no-brainer :)

WEAR SPF DAILY.

Don't even get me started on this soap box. As licensed professionals, we say this all.the.time. We all know the benefits of guarding our skin from harmful UV rays, but are you actually living by your own words? I'm calling us all to the carpet - let's hold ourselves more accountable. Wear SPF every single day. Your future self will thank you.

CHEERS TO IMPROVING YOUR SKIN HABITS IN THE NEW YEAR. LET’S GET INSPIRED FOR A BRIGHTER, MORE VIBRANT YEAR!