How to Get Your Best Skin Ever in 2019

For many of us, 2018 was a doozy, but we here at Brit + Co are ready to hit refresh in 2019! Follow our Hit Refresh series through January and February for new ideas, hacks, and skills that will help you achieve (and maintain!) those New Year’s resolutions.

We’ve all heard it before: new year, new you. If 2019’s arrival means you’re finally going to get your skincare routine on lock, read on for five totally doable dermatologist tips.

1. Commit to three simple steps every morning and night. While we’re all about testing a 14-step K-beauty skincare routine on self-care Sunday, we just don’t have the time on a post-happy hour Thursday night. As long as you reach for a few key products, your skin won’t be the worse for wear. “A gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen are absolute daily musts,” according to NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Michele Farber of Schweiger Dermatology Group. To help ensure you stick to your routine even on your latest nights, leave your core products on your bathroom counter as a reminder. After covering the essentials, if you have extra time to spare, you can add targeted products — like lactic acid serums, facial oils, and nourishing face masks — to your regimen. (Photo via PeopleImages/ Getty)

2. Ditch your soap. “True soap [AKA many bar soaps] has an alkaline pH which can disrupt the outer skin layer, leading to dryness and inflammation,” explains Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical dermatology research at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital. “Instead, stick to a gentle, soap-free cleanser that removes dirt and oil without compromising the integrity of the [moisture] barrier.” (Photo via Robin Lynne Gibson/ Getty)

3. Upgrade your routine with antioxidants. The modern, tech-filled world that we live in is filled with free radicals — highly unstable ions, molecules, or atoms. When left untreated, they cause oxidative stress, which leads to skin damage, aging, and even the development of chronic illnesses. Antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, help destroy free radicals, acting as our own skin-saving superheroes. “Vitamin C is the most potent antioxidant we have available over-the-counter,” says Zeichner. “Layer it under your sunscreen to protect your skin from the environment during the day.” Adding vitamin C to your routine will also help boost a brighter, healthier-looking complexion overall. (Photo via Pando Hall/ Getty)

4. Less is more. We get that you love your beauty products (same), but layering them all on may be hurting our skin. “I see people continuously adding products and this is often drying and precipitates a negative cycle,” says Farber. Unless you take the time to know every ingredient in each product, you could inadvertently cause a bad reaction by mixing formulas together. To avoid this, Farber recommends sticking to a basic routine and treating your complexion concerns as simply as possible. If you’re unsure where to start beyond cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, make an appointment with your dermatologist. (Photo via Skaman306/Getty)

5. Set a skin date with your doc. So many people think that dermatologist appointments are only reserved for those with problematic skin types. In reality, seeing a dermatologist once a year is just as important as daily sunscreen application. “Get a skin check once a year, and if you have something you are questioning — a mole, a rash, a breakout — it’s always easier to fix a problem before it gets severe,” Farber says. (Photo via Eric Audras/ Getty)

What’s your go-to skincare routine? Tweet us at @BritandCo and let us know!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.