New Years Skin Resolutions by SkinTour's Dr. Brandith Irwin

7 New Year Skin Resolutions for Real Results!

Dr. Irwin
December 30, 2016
How do you keep your skin looking healthy and radiant for the new year??

We all like to make New Year’s resolutions. There’s something about starting the year off with a few new healthy habits that feels great. And, if you truly make them a habit, the results pay off. The great thing about skin is you can see results when you make positive changes! The transitions visibly pay off. Your friends, family, coworkers – they will see the difference. You know you’re being successful when you start getting comments like, “Did you go on vacation?”, “Your skin looks great”, and “You look really rested!”   It’s nice to get results and look like yourself.   🙂  So here are 7 New Year skin resolutions for the most common skin types and problems. These are applicable for both women and men. Choose one that suits you best, and see how the results unfold after a month or two of change.

7 New Year Skin Resolutions for 2017:

1. For everyone, wear sunscreen religiously:

That means every single morning. Rain, clouds or shine, it makes a difference. Why? Because UVA causes wrinkles and skin cancer. That’s the main issue you face all year around, even when there’s “no sun.”  Make sure the sunscreen has zinc oxide 8-20%.  It’s the only thing that really blocks the most UVA. I’ve selected some of my favorite, most effective sun screen products and offer them in my shop here. These are products I currently use or recommend to my patients based on proven results.

2. For those over 30, add a repair product to your routine to prevent signs of aging.

I recommend starting either with: (A) a gentle retinol like SkinMedica’s Retinol Complex .25, which exfoliates and encourages cell renewal, hydrates, and protects your skin from free radicals that damage your skin, making it look older. Or (B) try the SkinCeuticals CE Ferrulic, which has protective benefits as well as improves signs of aging and photodamage, reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, addresses the loss of firmness, all while brightening skin’s complexion.

3. If you have rosacea, commit to really tracking your diet which pays a huge part in rosacea triggers for many.

I’m sure many of you have tried to track it mentally, but it’s easy to forget, and common threads over time are easier to spot when you have a written record. So keep a food log of flareups and write down what you were eating/drinking in the 24-48 hours prior to the flare. Think about things like red wine, too much coffee. It can even be odd things like soy products, etc. Find your own triggers!

4. If you have acne scarring, commit to seeing your dermatologist regularly or finding a new one if you’ve been 3-4 times and are just not getting results.

Be consistent with your acne meds. You should be able to find something that works for you, with all the options out there. The right dermatologist can help you find it. You can read more about the variety of acne scarring treatments out there on my in-depth resource article on it, so you know what things to talk over with your dermatologist.

5. If you have brown spots or melasma, try a new skin care and apparel products targeted for your needs.

The right skin care product can make a big difference here. Something I often recommend, is using DermaQuest’s 18% zinc oxide sunscreen every single morning (there are tinted and untinted versions of it).  And reapply at noon if you’re outside at all after that. Hats are great for melasma and brown spots, as well. Invest in stylish options for various occasions so you keep your skin shaded as much as possible. Also, see you gynecologist to get off oral contraceptives if you’re on them, as this can help. They make almost everyone with melasma worse. More on Melasma causes and treatments here.

6. If you have large pores, consider a gentle laser procedure that’s focused more on pore size like the Fraxel (the 1550nm wavelength).

You can ask your dermatologist to just do a half treatment, if you want. You’ll still get results for texture and won’t have so much down time.  Or you can use the Clear & Brilliant laser (also made by the Fraxel company) which is like a light Fraxel.

7. If you have deepening forehead frown lines, committing to Botox or Dysport 2-4 times a year will make a big difference.

How much you need is very individual.  It depends on your age, the depth of the lines and strength of the muscles. If you are interested in trying it, you can read more about how it works, what a procedure is like, how to find a good doctor or nurse to do it, and how to avoid problems, in my in-depth resource.

Best of luck to you, and Happy New Year!   Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

Ask me your skincare question!

Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

  • All our content is written and researched by myself.
  • My medical office in Seattle has treated thousands of patients for 15+ years.
  • This site is not affiliated or financially tied to any product, treatment or device.
Ask Me Something
SkinTour Skincare
One of the best investments in your skin is your daily skincare. Why? Because you can prevent many problems with blotchy skin color, lack of glow, texture, some types of acne, and fine lines with good skincare products. You can also correct some of these problems with effective skincare products. Great skincare is often more expensive because quality ingredients are expensive. Some companies spend on research/development which benefits all of us and adds to the cost. Are they worth it? In general - yes! I have handpicked some of what I consider to be the best skin care products, and offer them for sale on SkinTour's shop. This is based on my team and I's testing and research at our clinic. Many of the products are in my own regimen. What could be better than using skin care products a dermatologist uses?!
Browse Shop