Resolution Radiance: 10 Tips for Reaching Your Skin Goals in the New Year

A resolution is a goal. An intention is a plan for reaching your goal. If healthy, radiant skin is what you’re reaching for, now is the time to set intentions for the coming year.

Here are some tips to help you set your successful skincare plan in motion.

 

1. Commit to a consistent regimen

It sounds obvious, but the most important element of a successful skincare routine is having a skincare routine. The best products in the world can’t improve your skin if you don’t use them consistently. Set aside time every morning and evening devoted to your skincare regimen. No excuses.

And give it time. The average length of a skin cell cycle is 30 days. During that time, new cells are formed and rise to the surface as old cells die and shed. Dermatological skincare products work with the skin’s natural cell cycle to boost cell metabolism, promote collagen production, correct discoloration, and control breakouts. When you skip your regimen, you set your progress back.

 

2. Improve your sleep

Sleep is the body’s natural repair cycle and one of the best things you can do to protect your skin from premature aging. During deep sleep (the REM cycle), antioxidants get a turbo boost to fight free radicals. The body releases 75% of its human growth hormone (HGH), which is vital to healthy tissue, cell growth, and collagen production. Finally, sleep stimulates the critical enzyme telomerase, which protects DNA against cellular aging. A shortage of sleep means a shortage of repair.

Synergize with sleep by incorporating our new FF3 Biointensive GF into your night-time regimen. This multi-active regenerating serum is powered by our proprietary GFP—a novel joining of phyto-derived growth factors with patented retinyl propionate, the most effective non-prescription retinoid.

3. Get Moving

Exercise is excellent skin therapy. It improves circulation, boosts collagen production, and increases human growth hormone to help keep skin looking younger and firmer.

Pumping up endorphins will also help to reduce stress and its negative effects.

Bonus: exercise improves the quality and duration of sleep. Just make sure to shower after exercising to keep sweat, makeup, and oil from clogging pores. Our Mandelic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser is the perfect post-workout skin refresh.

4. H20 Go

It’s not a myth that hydration improves skin tone. Studies confirm that increasing the dietary water intake affects the skin the same way as a topical moisturizer. Not surprising considering water is the main component of cells and tissues and acts as the transportation system for nutrients and the removal of toxins from the body. When you get dehydrated, you deprive cells of essential moisture and nourishment.

For an additional antioxidant boost, throw some green tea into the mix. Daily consumption of green tea has been shown to significantly improve skin’s structural characteristics, including increased elasticity and density, improved barrier function, inflammation reduction, and increased blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin. Double down on the beneficial effects of green tea by using it topically as well.

5. Cut Sugar

When glucose levels get raised, sugar molecules bond with proteins forming what are known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which break down protein fibers and undermine skin’s firmness and structure. Glycation is part of aging, but the inflammation caused by elevated glucose levels accelerates the process. You don’t have to go cold turkey, but try to avoid the worst offenders. Specifically, white sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, which have been shown to increase the rate of glycation ten-fold.

In addition to reducing your sugar consumption, you can disrupt the process of glycation and help control the accumulation of AGEs by using skin care products that stimulate collagen production and offer antioxidant protection.

Green tea and vitamins C and E are disruptors of glycation. Try Vivant’s Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser and Pure C + E rapid repair serum.

Retinoids (vitamin A) and peptides are essential stimulators of collagen production and increase elasticity. Vivant’s Derm-A-Renew has both. For the ultimate repair, try our new FF3 Triple Repair Complex, an advanced brightening and regenerative serum for correcting discoloration, retexturizing rough skin, and repairing ECM damage from oxidative stress.

6. Eat More Omega 3s

Skin cells are housed by a phospholipid bilayer, a double wall of fat that gives skin its plump, healthy appearance. Dietary fats are critical to this structure. Support your skin from the inside out with a diet rich in healthy fats that encourage firm, elastic, and resilient skin. Omega-3 fatty acids have the added benefit of reducing the inflammation that can cause dermatitis, rosacea, and acne flare-ups. Good sources of omega-3 include oily fish, walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, soy, and almonds.

 

7. Reduce Stress

Stress triggers endocrine and immune system responses in your body, which in turn trigger responses in your skin—everything from increased sebum, inflammation, and breakouts to transepidermal water loss (dry skin). Plus, stress stimulates glucose production, causing elevated blood sugar levels and increasing age-accelerating glycation. Resolve to look for ways to keep stress in check this year. Whether it’s more exercise, meditation, yoga, a weekly date with a facial mask, or regular massage, you won’t just feel healthier. You’ll look healthier.

 

8. Use Sunscreen

It’s not just the obvious effects of the sun—age spots and discoloration—that your skin needs protection from. UV exposure creates oxidative stress that unleashes a cascade of free radicals that damage cells and degrade collagen. It also causes inflammation that exacerbates breakouts and worsens acne scarring.

To protect from UV and environmental damage, a daily SPF is non-negotiable. You need broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays, the ones that age and the ones that burn. And you need it whether you’re going to the beach or the store. Vivant’s non-greasy, feather-light Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15 is the perfect daily foundational moisturizer and sun protection in one.

 

9. Get a Regular Facial

You cannot match the deep cleaning and rejuvenation your skin will receive during a professional treatment. The facial massage revs up microcirculation, oxygenates the skin, and delivers nutrients to the epidermis. It also has a toning effect on facial muscles, leaving skin looking firmer. And no one but a professional should be performing extractions on your skin. Plus, the pros have products and knowledge the average consumer does not, so you get higher-level results tailored to your specific needs. 

One a month is ideal. If time or budget is an issue, try to get in at least three to four times a year. Click here to find a skincare professional within the Vivant network.

 

10. Update Your Regimen

If you’ve been using the same regimen for a while, you might want to add a booster or up the strength of some of your products.

Vivant’s products are multi-tiered, meaning once your skin acclimates, you can move up to the next level to push your results further. If you’re happy where you are, a booster may be all you need. Our new FF3 Manuka Honey Enzyme Lift is a perfect addition to any regimen. The brightening blend of Manuka honey and pineapple enzymes promotes cellular repair and brings instant luminance and lift to fatigued or environmentally-stressed skin.

If you’re ready to update your routine, try our online regimen finder tool or book a free 15-minute chat with one of our skincare experts, who can answer your questions and help guide you to the right products.