January can be the most motivating time of the year. It’s a blank page, a mood-setter, and the month that sees people putting in the effort to change or start habits that bring us closer to our goals for the new year. 

If good skin is on your list, you’re in the right place. Check out these skincare habits to help keep your skin healthy, glowing, and looking fresh.

1. Stay on top of your sun protection.

Protecting yourself against the sun is important when it comes to keeping your skin healthy since UV rays can cause sunburn, skin cancer, premature wrinkles, dark spots, and more. The damage also accumulates over time which means even if you don’t see or feel anything right now, it’s highly likely for negative effects to crop up later.

Prevention is better than cure so get into the habit of applying sunscreen every day, consistently, no matter the weather, indoors or outdoors. You should also make sure to re-apply every 2 to 3 hours since exposure to the sun, sweat, and oil can break down your sunscreen. We know this can be difficult with makeup on, but you can try using a sun stick or blending it in with a brush or sponge.

2. Listen to what your skin needs.

Knowing and listening to what your skin needs is a trusted method in the world of K-beauty and one of the reasons we love Korean skincare. Trends and viral products can give you an idea of what everyone loves at the moment but catering to your skin at your pace is the best way to give you good, long-term results.

Start by identifying your skin type and specific skin concerns. From there, you can research what ingredients work best for you and slowly but surely build your personal skincare routine.

(You can also drop us a message 💌 and we’ll help you figure it out!)

3. Be gentle with your skin.

It’s always best to treat your skin with patience and a light hand. First, take care to avoid over-exfoliating: (1) using harsh exfoliators, (2) layering your exfoliating skincare, and (3) exfoliating too often. We know it’s important to slough off dead skin cells and clear out your pores but too much of a good thing can cause harm—or in this case, dry skin, redness, breakouts, peeling, or rashes. It’s best to identify what exfoliating ingredients your skin can tolerate and incorporating that into your skincare routine. 

We also recommend using lukewarm water when washing your face since hot water can damage your skin. Extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold) can aggravate the blood vessels below the surface of your skin and irritate it. Hot water can also strip your skin of natural oils which may then lead to dry, dehydrated, and dull skin.  

Another important reminder when washing your face: make sure to lather the cleanser on your hand and use the bubbles instead of rubbing it directly on your face. This helps you be gentler while cleansing.

Lastly, just pat lightly when drying your face. Scrubbing vigorously can irritate your skin and cause micro-tears, especially if you’re using a rough towel.

4. Change your towels and sheets regularly.

Why you should definitely be motivated during laundry days: clean sheets, pillowcases, and towels help keep your skin clear and healthy. We don’t see it but they often collect bacteria, dirt, and dead skin cells so forgetting to change them can contribute to acne and other skin problems. 

Changing your pillowcases, sheets, and towels every day can be too much—especially if you’re busy, working, or a parent—so washing and rotating them every week is a good place to start.

5. Hands off your face!

Unlike the first items on this list, touching or picking at your face is a habit that needs to stop. Every day, we come into contact with objects and surfaces that aren’t sanitised and then we, without washing hands, go for our faces (most times, we don't even notice this). Even worse, individuals with acne or blackheads will often find themselves picking or scratching—a big no-no.

The dirt or bacteria on our hands and fingertips can cause or exacerbate breakouts. If you already have acne, it’s best to cover it up with a pimple patch to avoid picking and exposing it to dirt.

6. Start the day with a healthy dose of antioxidants

We hear a lot about antioxidants when it comes to health and fitness. But how does our skin benefit from it? Antioxidants’ main role in skincare lies in protecting your skin from free radicals either by neutralising them or breaking them down. Antioxidants also promote collagen and elastin production which then softens your skin and plumps up fine lines and wrinkles. 

Why use it in the morning? Studies show that antioxidants can help protect your skin from the damaging effects of UV rays when used with sunscreen.

You can get your skin’s daily serving of antioxidants through vitamin C, vitamin E, retinoids or—if you prefer gentler ingredients—blackberry, green tangerine, ginseng, green tea and the like.

7. Check the PAO of your skincare products.

Label Vectors by Vecteezy

The Period After Opening (PAO) symbol lets you know how long it’s safe to use your skincare products after you crack them open. If a product is past its PAO, you need to stop using it. A great way to keep track of this period for all your skincare is to mark or label them with the date they were opened.

Checking the PAO before buying or opening new skincare products can also keep your wallet happy. It can help you figure out if you can finish the product before its expiration date and if you really need new additions to your stash at the moment.

8. Hydration is key.

When we say hydration, we mean drinking water and incorporating hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine. Dehydrated skin can actually manifest into dull complexion, tired eyes, and premature wrinkles so don’t wait until your skin is parched—get into the habit of hydrating now. 

Hyaluronic acid is a popular skincare ingredient in K-beauty and is naturally present in our bodies as a connective tissue. It’s a powerhouse hydrator since it can hold 1,000 times its weight in water, hydrate the skin’s surface intensely, and help improve fine lines and wrinkles.

9. It’s time to double cleanse.

Double-cleansing is a gentle, thorough, and pore-friendly method widely used in Korean skincare. It simply involves washing your face twice using different cleanser formulas: oil-based (cleansing oils and balms) for your first cleanse and water-based for your second one. 

Your first cleanse is important for clearing out excess sebum, makeup, sunscreen, and other oil-based impurities. The second-cleanse gets rid of dirt, dust, and the other icky things that may have survived your oil-based cleanser. This skincare habit goes a long way in pore care, preventing acne, and keeping your skin healthy.

10. Clean your makeup brushes and beauty tools.

Cleanliness is key to clear skin and preventing other skin problems from popping up. If you use makeup, you should definitely add a wash day for your brushes, sponges, and blenders. Adding this to your routine can help you avoid clogged pores, acne, and skin irritation.

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It's easy to go overboard and to pressure yourself in the name of self-improvement—but we hope you can be kind and patient instead. Habits take time to form and skincare is about having fun while loving yourself. Let us bring this gentle yet motivated energy into the new year!