Easy Skin Care Goals for the New Year

Of course, with the dawning of a new year comes the time-honored tradition of New Year’s resolutions. While people often make grandiose promises to transform starting January 1^st, taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be a monumental decision. Why not start small? The minor adjustments and tweaks you make to your everyday life are the most important, especially when it comes to protecting your skin.

To help guide you toward hydrated, healthier skin, consider these realistic goals to get you started.

Learn About Your Skin Type

You can’t stick to a skincare regimen until you know what type of skin you have. From dry and oily to sensitive and mature, most folks have a skin type – and each kind of skin requires different care to remain healthy. Some of the most common skin types include:

• Sensitive Skin: People with sensitive skin often endure burning or stinging when using certain products. Other people with sensitive skin get bumps, rashes, patches, or peeling skin.
• Oily Skin: If you get acne often, have an extra-shiny complexion, or find your makeup melting off, you may have oily skin.
• Mature Skin: Less firmness coupled with more wrinkles and fine lines often define mature skin.
• Dry Skin: If your skin feels itchy, dry, flaky, or rough, you may have dry skin.
• Combination: Examples include having oily areas of the face while also having rough patches or sensitive skin elsewhere.

Once you feel comfortable knowing more about your skin type, you’ll can better select products to best match your skin care needs. As an example, if you’re a person with oily skin, you should probably stay away from products containing mineral oils and other pore-clogging ingredients.

Center for Dermatology Pro Tip: Consulting with a board-certified dermatologist is a great idea if you want to learn more about your skin. Your dermatologist can educate you on which products to use and avoid and provide tips to keep your skin healthy.

Wash Up Before Going to Bed

This might sound like a no-brainer to some reading this but washing your face before bed is a great idea. That’s especially true if you suffer from a skin condition like acne, which affects millions of Americans every year. Why wash your face before bed? Because cleaning your skin before hitting the sheets means not sleeping with the oil, dirt, and filth that you’ve accrued on your face during the day.

We know washing your face when you’re sleepy is tough, so wash your face once you decide you are home for the night. It doesn’t have to be washed right before going to bed. This will help you relax and sleep peacefully!

Wear Sunscreen Often

Most dermatologists encourage patients to wear sunscreen when they’re out, and for good reason. The sun emits damaging UV rays year-round – even on overcast days, when 80% of the sun’s rays still penetrate clouds, according to the AAD. If wearing sunscreen isn’t something you’re interested in, consider using a daily facial skin moisturizer with at least 30 SPF. Wearing sunscreen boasts a host of short and long-term benefits, like:

• Reducing the risk of getting skin cancer or precancerous growths
• Preventing premature signs of aging, like lines, age spots and wrinkles
• Giving you a more even skin complexion, as sun-damaged skin creates uneven skin tones, such as more prominent brown spots,  more prominent red veins, or more prominent white spots. 

Center for Dermatology Pro Tip: Most sunscreen products wear off within a few hours. Be sure to reapply your sunscreen periodically throughout the day to keep your skin protected from the sun’s UV rays.

Make an Appointment with a Board-Certified Dermatologist

Even the most health-conscious people with the best-looking skin can benefit from an evaluation from a board-certified dermatologist. Sure, some skin care issues can be prevented and treated by adhering to the tips above. But others, like eczema, rosacea, and skin rashes, most often need to be examined and treated by a dermatology provessional.

Additionally, a dermatologist can examine any odd-looking moles that may have manifested themselves on your body during the year. What you may think of as a benign blemish may actually be cause for concern. Much like your eyes and teeth, making a yearly appointment for your skin is essential to your overall well-being.

Achieve Your Short and Long-Term Skincare Goals at Center for Dermatology

With 2023 here, our mission remains the same: Provide patient-centered care that helps every person get the treatment they need to meet their skincare goals. Together, we can address and meet both short-term and long-term skincare goals.

Let 2023 be the year you prioritize the health of your skin! Whether you need medical or surgical dermatology services in Minnesota to maintain healthy skin, Center for Dermatology is here to help. We invite you to schedule an appointment for your next skin check. We look forward to meeting you!