First and foremost, Happy New Year! I can’t believe it’s 2024 already, it seems like 2023 still barely started! In this article, we are going to discuss habits for healthy skin so we can start the new year with our best face forward. Healthy skin is not only important to look good on the outside, healthy skin is important because it helps to indicate how healthy you are on the inside too. 

Healthy skin is created by applying topical products to the skin and also establishing a good self care regimen with necessary vitamins and nutrients, gut health, water, sleep, and stress management amongst other things.

If you haven’t read our articles on how gut health affects the skin, check that out here.

To check out how lavender aromatherapy can improve the quality of sleep, click here.

Why is Healthy Skin Important?

Our skin acts as a barrier and helps protect us from bacteria and other outside pathogens as well as environmental hazards. It is our first line of defense, in fact. The skin also has nerve endings, which helps keep us things that may hurt us. For example, we are able to feel that something (like a hot skillet) is too hot before we touch it, thus avoiding potentially burning ourselves. 

7 Habits for Healthy Skin in the New Year

Let’s ring in 2024 with some great habits that can be used to make your skin look amazing!

1. Cleanse your skin regularly, and apply moisturizer and a good sunscreen afterward.
2. Stay hydrated: Make sure you’re drinking enough water (adjust for more water in hotter climates). Proper moisture helps maintain skin moisture and elasticity, and it also promotes a healthy complexion.
3. Exfoliate dead skin cells. Exfoliating helps to slough off dead skin, revealing fresh, smooth, youthful skin. This improves skin's dull appearance, and it also helps to remove dead skin that may lead to clogged pores. Exfoliating the skin can also help your skin better absorb the moisturizer you use by allowing it to deeply penetrate into the skin’s layers. It is recommended to exfoliate your skin one to three times per week. 
• If you’re looking for a gentle exfoliator that leaves you with irresistible touchably smooth, hydrated skin, check out our Brown Sugar Exfoliating Scrub!
4. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Both smoking and drinking too much alcohol can negatively impact skin health, leading to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines. Smoking specifically can cause dry skin, uneven skin pigmentation, yellowing/browning of the whites of the eyes, baggy skin under the eyes, and sagging jawline. The toxins absorbed (formaldehyde, cyanide, carbon monoxide, and others) from inhaling the smoke prevent oxygen, vitamins and nutrients from being absorbed in the body. 
• Quitting smoking can increase cell turnover in skin and slow down skin aging, vitamin C and collagen production levels return to normal. 
• Alcohol has two main negative effects on the skin: dehydration and inflammation. When the body processes alcohol, it forms a toxic byproduct called acetaldehyde, which is toxic and drying to the skin. Because drinking alcohol can cause a dehydrating or diuretic effect in the skin, your skin loses vital moisture and nutrients necessary for healthy, youthful looking skin. It can cause your skin to look wrinkled, dull and grey, or bloated and puffy. It can also cause dark circles to appear around your eyes. 
• It’s important to rehydrate yourself after drinking. Make sure you stay extremely hydrated in the days following drinking, and apply moisturizer and eye cream both in the morning and in the evening. and you use a heavy moisturizer on your skin. If you notice dryness and dullness, use a heavy moisturizer (such as The Wood, which has ingredients specifically for dryness and fighting wrinkles). 
5. Get adequate sleep. A sufficient amount of sleep allows your skin to repair and regenerate itself. A lack of sleep can lead to dull lackluster skin, dark circles under the eyes, and can also increase inflammatory disorders of the skin. Generally, you should aim for between 7 and 9 quality hours of sleep each night, but knowing your body and its needs is key. Consult your healthcare provider for more information on how much sleep you should be receiving daily. 
6. Eat a balanced diet. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and other important food groups is essential. Nutrient-dense foods provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which play a big role in skin health. Foods such as berries (high in vitamin C), leafy greens (high in vitamin K), fatty fish (healthy fats), and nuts and seeds (high in many essential vitamins and minerals) are very beneficial for the skin. 
7. Stress management is important. Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your skin, leading to inflammation conditions such as acne breakouts, eczema flare-ups, and other skin issues. Find and practice stress management techniques that work for you. Consider techniques such as meditation, breathing techniques, yoga, regular exercise, engaging in activities/hobbies that you enjoy, therapy, and going for walks.

Have you made any New Year resolutions? Let us know in the comments!

We hope you enjoyed our article for healthy skin habits in the new year. As always, we appreciate you for tuning in and giving us a read. Let’s give it all we got and continue to strive for greatness in 2024!

Love, Peace & Gangsta Grease!