By Bridget Sullivan, PA-C, Coastal Skin Cancer Surgery and Dermatology
The new year brings new beginnings, fresh starts, and new year resolutions. Your skin is your largest organ of the body and your face is your walking billboard. Healthy, glowing skin is not achieved through quick fixes, but through thoughtful habits that support skin function year-round. Let 2026 be the year that you incorporate your skin health and wellness into your routine. Below are some simple tips to bring into the new year.
1.) Wash Your Face: It sounds so simple, but simply washing your face morning and night will make a big difference in the appearance and health of your skin. Cleansing your face twice daily removes dirt, oil, and environmental pollutants that accumulate on the skin.
2.) Wear Sunscreen: Getting in the routine of applying SPF 30 or higher daily will help combat pre-mature aging and skin cancer.
3.) Incorporate Antioxidants & Retinoids: Incorporating antioxidant ingredients, like a Vitamin C serum, helps protect against environmental damage while brightening the complexion. Retinoids, like tretinoin, increase skin cell rate turnover and will help with fine lines and wrinkles and sun damage.
4.) Get Annual Skin Cancer Screenings: One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Get an annual skin cancer screening to catch abnormal lesions in the pre-cancerous stage or superficial layer of skin. It’s all about prevention and early detection!
5.) Lifestyle Habits: Adequate sleep allows the skin to repair itself, while a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats supports skin from within. Also stress reduction through exercise, time with family and friends, and mindfulness can lead to decreased inflammation and flare up of certain skin conditions.
The key to your skin health and wellness is consistency and making small steps daily that turn into healthy habits. Just like diet and exercise, you will not see results over night but overtime being consistent will pay off and you will have beautiful, but more importantly, healthy skin. As you welcome 2026, commit to caring for your skin with patience and purpose. A “new you” begins with healthy habits—and your skin will reflect that dedication all year long.
I wish you and your loved ones a happy New Year and I hope that 2026 is the best one yet!
