December 23, 2016
This January, we’ll not only welcome a New Year, but also a fresh start.
With the stress of the holiday season behind us, we can finally take a moment to breathe, reflect and make strides towards positive changes, but the one thing we never seem to focus on is our skin. It’s time to change that!
As a skincare professional and licensed esthetician, I believe that taking better care of yourself in the New Year should also include taking better care of your skin. Believe it or not, maintaining your skin is one of the best things you can do for your appearance, well-being and confidence. So, why not make it a priority this year? Here’s how you can achieve your best skin in 2017.
If you don’t have a current skin care regimen, make it a point to start one this year. By embracing a daily routine, you’ll not only be fully committed to maintaining your skin, you’ll also develop good habits that will make a big difference, years from now. When it comes to having great skin, it’s the same as exercise - what you put in is what you get out.
Get yourself to see an esthetician by scheduling a facial or a skin consultation. My recommendation is Rescue Spa in Philadelphia. An esthetician can evaluate your skin, create a plan to help you achieve your skin goals and provide valuable advice and recommendations. Even if you can only get in once every three months, you’ll still benefit.
Taking a little “me” time every now and then is necessary and shows that you value yourself and your well-being. A good facial can help you unwind and de-stress, with added benefit of a healthier, glowing complexion.
Buy the best products you can afford and learn how to use them properly. Most spas that offer skincare will provide a complimentary skin consultation, either in-person, or over the phone.
A well-tailored skincare regimen can do wonders, so don't let those products sit and collect dust on your bathroom shelf. Remember that your skin is a long-term investment in yourself and will eventually pay off much more than a new pair of shoes.
It’s time to stop sabotaging your skin. This means no more picking, sleeping with makeup on or washing your face with regular soap and water. This also includes tanning, smoking and excessive drinking.
All of these habits contribute to premature aging, so the sooner you break them, the better. I promise – they’ll wreak havoc on your complexion over time, and by continuing these habits, you may also be putting your health at risk.
Great skin starts from the inside out and what you put in your body is as important as what you put on your skin. So try to limit processed food, soft drinks, refined sugar and carbohydrates. Instead, focus on adding raw nutrients and antioxidants by eating more plant-based foods. I suggest juicing or adding green smoothies to your diet as a way to help boost you nutrient intake for skin renewal and new collagen.
Also remember, your skin needs healthy fats too. So snacking on nuts daily or adding them to your favorite recipes will provide rich Omega-3s to keep your skin supple and smooth.
Finally, in order to transform your appearance and feel good about it, you must develop a healthy relationship with yourself. One way is to let go of negativity by learning to accept what you can’t change and making an effort to improve what you can.
With the right attitude and realistic expectations, you’ll be much closer to achieving your best skin in 2017. After all, having the confidence to put your best face forward will certainly be worth the effort.
Joanna Kula is a local, licensed esthetician, skin-care expert and founder of skindevotee.com
