We’re well into the New Year and hopefully making progress with our resolutions! It’s quite likely that your resolution has something or the other to do with working out, eating healthy and looking trim and toned. While all that attention to your body is great, don’t forget your skin! The largest organ of our body needs some TLC too, but it doesn’t need to be a complicated process. All you need is these 5 simple things to do everyday for great skin – for this year and forever!

5 Simple Things to do Everyday for Great Skin this Year

1. Drink Water

The single most important thing to do every day for great skin and good health in general – hydrate! Dehydration begins to show on the face sooner than anywhere else and leads to dry skin which is more prone to wrinkles and fine lines. Drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water also helps the skin’s self-renewal process and cuts down on the appearance of pimples and breakouts. Stick to plain water or natural juices or coconut water. Sodas and sugary drinks can have the opposite effect, accelerating the ageing process.

2. Cleanse Correctly

We all wash our faces everyday, but do we do it correctly? Experts suggest washing your face not more than twice a day to ensure you don’t wash away all your skin’s natural oils. Every morning and before bedtime seems ideal. While washing, use a soap-free and alcohol-free cleanser that is suited to your skin type. Take time to massage it into your face, moving upwards from the base of the neck. Wash off with cool water. Afterward, pat dry with a soft towel, don’t scrub vigorously, although it might feel great!

3. Apply Sunscreen

We’ve heard this again and again, and songs have been written about it! It only goes on to show that applying sunscreen is non-negotiable, whether you’re indoors or out, whether it’s sunny or cloudy. Sunscreen keeps you safe from skin cancer by protecting you from harmful UV rays. It also reduces signs of ageing, since sun damage is the leading cause of wrinkles and age spots. Use a sunscreen that is also a moisturizer so you needn’t apply multiple products. Get a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and reapply if you’ll be out in the sun for long.

4. Remove Makeup before Bed

We’re a generation that’s sleeping late and so often we’re so tired we just flop into bed. But this isn’t doing our skin any favors. Leaving all that makeup on our skin can block your pores and cause breakouts. Besides, the time you sleep is when your skin does all its regeneration, so leaving makeup on is depriving your skin of that chance. Be gentle when removing makeup, so that you don’t rub the skin unnecessarily. Some skin care experts suggest rubbing avocado oil or coconut oil into the skin afterward, or at least your regular moisturizer.

5. Sleep Well

There’s a reason it’s called beauty sleep! Being a night owl can shows on the face, especially under the eyes, so be sure to get at least 7 hours of solid sleep every night so you wake up with fresh, dewy skin. Pillow cases tend to cccumulate the oils and secretions of our skin as we sleep, so change your pillow cases change every week; more frequently if you have very oily skin. Use natural fabrics for your sheets and cases so your skin can breathe.

In addition to these things to do everyday for great skin, we’ll offer you a bonus tip – smile! Nothing to wreck all your efforts like stress – so be sure to keep it at bay. Stay happy and positive, so that you shine from the inside out!