Your skin is the biggest organ in your body and it’s important to take care of it! With the advent of a new year, it’s time for a fresh start and an update to your skincare routine.

For me, it’s important to find equilibrium in the body through lifestyle, supplements, diet, and the right skin care for healthy, glowing skin! So many people have good intentions and are motivated to make those changes in the new year but cannot sustain them. Getting into a good routine is key!

Try these tips for making skin care a habit.

Make your evening cleanse a priority!

If you are cleansing with wipes or micellar water and then applying your night products, you are wasting your money and time. You also will not achieve a glowing complexion because you won’t be cleansing your skin on a deep level that actually affects your overall health and appearance.

I recommend to double cleanse in the evening before bed or when you get home. Cleanse with a balm, oil, or milky cleanser, I love the Tri-Phase Cleanser. You have a buildup of makeup, sebum, dirt, and pollution on your skin from during the day, but by double cleansing you are breaking it all down and removing it from the skin.

The first cleanse is to get rid of surface impurities, like makeup and dirt. The second cleanse is to really work your lymph and muscles and get the circulation going!

There is no need to double cleanse your skin in the morning. Just splash your face with water or use the same cleanser you use in the evening for a single cleanse!

Read more in my chapter Cleansing: The building block to good skin about the benefits of cleansing, or join my skin family to watch my cleansing video to learn how to cleanse properly!

Protect your skin during the day. You only have one face!

Your skin is exposed to UV and pollution during the day, so you need to have a protection plan in place to keep your skin smooth and youthful.

Applying a broad spectrum spf to your skin throughout the day protects your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer and extrinsic aging. So even if you follow all the other skin care resolutions on this list but don't use spf, you are compromising all your hard work! Here’s the sunscreen I recommend: Nimue spf 40 sunscreen

Antioxidants protect us from free radicals that will damage collagen and cell DNA caused by environmental contaminants. Also, make sure to apply an antioxidant serum Nimue multi rejuvenating serum or moisturiser Vitamin Rich Repair during the day to fend off pollution, cigarette smoke, etc. that sunscreens can't protect us from.

Make hyaluronic acid and retinol a non-negotiable!

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the skin and helps retain moisture. To improve the plumpness and hydration in your skin, apply a hyaluronic acid serum Nimue hyaluronic ultra filler or hyaluronic acid oil Nimue hyaluronic oil daily to protect your skin in the colder months and maintain a healthy skin barrier. Read more in my chapter Why should I use Hyaluronic Acid in the colder months of the year?

Retinol/Vitamin A is proven to not only prevent aging, but also reverse signs of aging. It resurfaces the skin and stimulates collagen production, which helps your skin stay smooth as you age. It does not happen overnight, and you need to slowly build up your tolerance to vitamin A. Start by applying every three days and build up to applying daily. My favorite vitamin A product is Retinal Active.

Start using an acid!

Acids are very good at getting rid of dead skin cells by breaking down bonds that hold the skin cells together. This leads to a brighter and smoother complexion. Fruit acids are brilliant at keeping you young by increasing cell turnover.

Here are some of my favorites:

Lactic Acid - promotes hydration and skin brightening.
Glycolic Acid - promotes exfoliation, increases moisturisation, increases cell turnover, promotes collagen production, and brightens the skin.
Salicylic Acid - removes oil and debris attached to the skin surface. Best for problem skin. Loosens and removes ageing cells from the surface.
Malic Acid - boosts collagen production and resurfaces the skin.

Please book a consultation if you are not sure which acid is suitable for you.

Declutter your cabinet with professional help!

How many half-opened and expired products are lurking in your cabinet? Realistically, you are only using 3-7 products in your skincare routine. So you can line them up and bin the rest!

I can help you create a bespoke routine and get the skincare answers you’ve been looking for. After the consultation, you can make those lifestyle and care routine adjustments that will lead to beautiful, healthy skin.

You only have one skin, so take care of it! Book a consultation to find out more.

Leave your face wipes and skin brushes in 2021!

Your skin is too delicate to deal with friction from brushes and face wipes. By using brushes, you are creating friction that can sensitize your skin, and cleansing brushes trap bacteria which you spread all over your face.

Face wipes have harmful harsh chemicals that can disrupt the pH and acid mantle in your skin, which is your protective layer.

Make healthy changes to your diet. Your diet is affecting your skin!

Naturally gorgeous skin starts with your diet. Sugar will get into your bloodstream, spiking your insulin level, which can aggravate acne and cause wrinkles and rashes.

Reduce sugar as much as possible, replace refined sugars with nutrient dense foods like fruit, vegetables, and omega 3- rich foods.

I recommend eating vegetables of different colors with every meal and having a green juice every day to get glowing skin. Eating avocados daily will provide your skin with essential fats and phytonutrients. Tomatoes are high in lycopene, which reduces sun damage. Rocket and spinach are great at fighting free radicals that break down collagen. Drinking plenty of water will help flush out toxins from the body that could harm your skin. Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids (flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts) are great for the skin too.

But the most important skin care goal is to start loving your skin!

Make the most of this life. You deserve it. It is about aging gracefully and happily and making it non-negotiable to care for yourself.