The New Year is a great time for a fresh start. It’s fun to think about how things could change for the better, and if you’re like most of us, one of things you’d like to change is your skin.
Why not take advantage of the spirit of the season and set actual skin care goals? As you’ve probably heard, writing down your goals increases your chances of achieving them.
Below are three goals you might set for your skin this year, and steps you can take to increase your odds of success. Feel free to use these if they work for you, but if you have other skin concerns, simply apply the same process to set goals for them, too.
A Word About Smart Goal-Setting
Before we go into our examples, a quick word about how to write good goals. You may have heard of setting “SMART” goals. That means that your goals are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-based
When you follow this format, you set goals you’re more likely to achieve. Simply saying you’d like more radiant skin, for example, isn’t likely to get you very far. Instead, you need to get specific about what you’re really looking for, how you’re going to go about getting it, and how much time you’re going to give yourself.
We’ll walk you through this process in the goals below, so you know what we’re talking about.
Goal #1: I Want Less Noticeable Pores
When you look in the mirror, do your pores look like craters? Unfortunately, with age, our pores can start to appear larger than they did when we were younger. Acne breakouts, UV rays, and other types of skin damage gradually cause the skin to lose its elasticity, so the skin around each pore isn’t as firm as it used to be, and pores look larger. Clogged pores are also more noticeable. So following our pattern above, here’s how we might set up this goal:
- Specific: I want my pores to look 50 percent less noticeable than they do now.
- Measurable: I’m going to take before and after pictures to track my progress.
- Achievable: If you wanted your pores to look 100 percent less noticeable, that probably wouldn’t be achievable, as they’d have to be near invisible! Make sure your goal is achievable, so you feel motivated instead of disappointed.
- Relevant: This goal is relevant as it’s important to you, and it’s something that is clearly noticeable.
- Time-based: You could give yourself the whole year to accomplish this goal, but you’re more likely to make progress if you break it down. So let’s say we’ll check in every three months. So by April 1, you’re going to take that second picture and compare it with the picture you take on January 1, and see how you’re doing.
Now you need to outline the action steps you’re going to take to achieve your goal. Here are some suggestions:
- Cleanse regularly: The second your pores get dirty, they become more noticeable, so commit to a routine of cleansing morning and night. Consider using a product made specifically for cleansing pores, but avoid harsh acne products. Shop with companies that are conscientious about the ingredients they use.
- Exfoliate regularly: Exfoliation is key to battling enlarged pores. It helps slough away dead skin cells that can clog them. Look for gentle formulas that include fruit enzymes and clay.
- Mask regularly: Charcoal masks help remove dirt and toxins from pores, and leave them looking much smaller. Commit to masking at least twice a week.
- Avoid squeezing: Whatever you do, don’t squeeze your pores! It usually causes them to appear larger, not smaller, and can also lead to infections and more acne. Cleanse instead, and if you struggle with acne, try our 9 natural solutions for acne-prone skin.
- Use a retinol product: Retinol helps stimulate collagen production, which can help increase firmness and elasticity in your pores. Start with a low percentage, as it can take some time to get used to it, and then gradually increase levels. If you notice redness, dryness, irritation, or peeling, our Calming Moisture can help. Simply apply a few minutes after you apply your retinol product.
Goal #2: I Want More Radiant-Looking Skin
That dewy look is on trend right now, but it also just looks healthier in general. When skin is dry and dull, we look older and less vibrant. Dewy, radiant skin looks like younger skin. Yet it can be tough to get that look and even tougher to maintain it.
Here’s how we might set up this goal:
- Specific: I want my skin to look radiant enough that I can actually see it—that it’s visible to me when I look at my skin.
- Measurable: I’m going to take before and after pictures to track my progress.
- Achievable: You’re not asking to look like celebrities or models, just to see a noticeable improvement. This is definitely achievable.
- Relevant: This goal is relevant as it’s important to you, and it’s something that will make a difference in your appearance.
- Time-based: Again, let’s check in every three months. So by April 1, you’re going to take that second picture and compare it with the picture you take on January 1, and see how you’re doing.
Here are some suggestions for steps you might take to reach your goal:
- Exfoliate more often: Smooth skin reflects light more than rough skin does, so exfoliation is key to achieving more radiance. Watch your skin to see how it reacts. If it tolerates exfoliation just fine, feel free to step up your frequency. If you notice redness or irritation, back off for a couple days.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and eat more water-rich foods like leafy greens, fruits, and soups.
- Use a retinol product: In addition to boosting collagen production, retinol also helps encourage cell turnover, so that younger cells rise to the surface of skin.
- Mist more often: A misting product like our Rescue + Relief Spray keeps your skin hydrated and refreshed throughout the day, and prevents excess moisture loss, which can keep you looking radiant for hours. Using a mister before your moisturizer can also help your moisturizer last longer and perform more effectively. Our spray will also help reduce puffiness and inflammation, tame redness, and keep skin supple—and it’s a perfect quick moisturizer for acne-prone skin.
- Moisturize for radiance: One of the things we love about our moisturizers is that they truly impart radiance on the skin! You have to try it to see it, but our customers tell us over and over again that they love the way our products leave radiance behind. Try our Calming Moisture and Body Repair Lotion.
- Massage your skin more often: A quick massage can do wonders for your skin, as it helps revive it and get the blood circulating into it, waking up your whole complexion.
- Boost the moisture in your makeup: You can have the most radiant skin and make it quickly look dull with the wrong makeup. Use a moisturizing foundation, or add a few drops of moisture to your favorite one before you apply it. If you apply with a damp sponge, you’ll retain more of that moisture.
Goal #3: I Want to Fade This Hyperpigmentation
Dark spots, melasma, old acne scars and other forms of hyperpigmentation can make an otherwise healthy complexion look dull and damaged. Yet those dark spots can be stubborn and difficult to get rid of.
Here’s how we might set up this goal:
- Specific: I want to fade my pigmentation by at least 50 percent.
- Measurable: I’m going to take before and after pictures to track my progress.
- Achievable: It’s not likely that you’re going to be able to get rid of those dark spots completely, so it’s important to set a goal that takes that into consideration.
- Relevant: This goal is relevant as it’s important to you, and it’s something that will make a difference in your appearance.
- Time-based: Again, let’s check in every three months.
Here are some suggestions for steps you might take to reach your goal:
- Exfoliate more often: This is important here, too, as exfoliation helps get rid of that top layer of skin, and over time, can help fade hyperpigmentation.
- Cleanse with a brush: This helps speed up exfoliation, and may help you fade those dark spots more quickly. A cleansing brush also better prepares your skin to accept treatment products. To find your best brush, check out our post, “Should You Use a Facial Cleansing Brush?”
- Use chemical exfoliants: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, and other fruit acids are all helpful for fading those dark areas. They help encourage cellular turnover in the deeper layers of your skin, and can make a big difference if you’re consistent with them over time. Use them as often as your skin will tolerate them (perhaps every other night).
- Use vitamin C: Find a vitamin C product you can regularly apply to your skin. It helps to brighten the skin and fade those dark spots. It also helps to hinder the production of melanin, which is what causes that darkness in the first place.
- Try other lightening ingredients: Though we don’t recommend hydroquinone for skin lightening, because it can damage skin over time, there are many safer ingredients you can try to increase lightening. These include bearberry leaves extract, kojic acid, mulberry, arbutin, glutathione, licorice root, papaya, and niacin.
- Be fierce about protection: Months of work can be ruined with one day of sun exposure. Sun increases the production of melanin and makes dark spots darker. In addition, when you’re exfoliating to get rid of those spots, your skin is even more vulnerable to sun damage, so you’ve got to be really serious about sun protection. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, and keep your face doubly protected with hats, sunglasses, and umbrellas.
What skin care goals do you have for the New Year?
