It’s natural to want a fresh start when January rolls around. Some years I say I’m going to exercise more, other years I vow to spend less time on my phone. But without fail, my ongoing New Year’s resolution is to show my skin a little more TLC.
While we may stumble—or abandon—some New Year’s resolutions altogether, your skincare routine shouldn’t feel like an insurmountable obstacle in 2025. Small changes can often make all the difference, and you don’t have to spend a fortune estate. either.
Previously, we asked three dermatologists for their simple skincare resolutions for 2025. Trust us, these are goals you’ll really want to stick to.
Try retinal over the retinaol
If your current retinol serum isn’t doing it for you, then it might be time to add retinal to the mix, according to Dr. Marisa Garshickboard certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. Retinol, or retinaldehyde—a skin-care ingredient derived from vitamin A—is considered more potent than retinol and less irritating than a prescription retinoid (eg, tretinoin), Dr. Garshick explains. Here’s how it works: For vitamin A derivatives to have an impact on the skin, they must be converted to retinoic acid. “Retinaldehyde is considered more potent than retinol because it requires fewer steps to convert to retinoic acid,” says Dr. Garshick. In other words, it works much faster.
“[Retinal] is a great option for someone who has been able to tolerate retinol but is not seeing the desired results,” Dr. Garshick continues. If you have dry or sensitive skin that doesn’t do well with strong prescription retinoids, then Retina may also be your answer—and you can get it over the counter. Medik8’s Crystal Retinal, $54available in various strengths for retina beginners and established retina users. Also try Maelove Moonlight Retinal Serum, $39.95with moisturizing squalane and ceramides, and R29-favorite Glow Recipe BlackBerry Retinol Blemish Serum, $48. If you want to spend less, try The Ordinary Retinal Emulsion 0.2%, $14.90.
Skincare is about so much more than your face
Experts agree: All skin care routines should extend beyond your face. The neck, upper chest and arms are often forgotten in skin care regimens, she explains Dr. Mary Somerlandbut these areas require the same attention as your face. She adds that the skin on the décolleté can be quite vulnerable to the effects of too much sun and other elements such as cold weather.
However, this does not mean that you have to buy a specific décolletage cream. Bringing your usual moisturizer to the neck and chest area is just as beneficial. But there are rules. “[The skin here is] incredibly sensitive and may not tolerate high-strength acids in the same way as the face,” says Dr. Sommerlad. Simply put, the 7% glycolic acid that works wonders on your blackheads could be irritating the skin below.
Instead, Dr. Garshick recommends gentle but effective creams with firming peptides, hydrating hyaluronic acid and, of course, sunscreen during the day. Her favorite face multitasking products that can also be used on the neck and chest include Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Face and Neck Cream, $76and Peter Thomas Roth Ultimate Solution 5 Moisturizer Multitasking, $65. Also try Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer, $20if you prefer to spend less.
Look for moisturizers with these special ingredients
From hydrating niacinamide to hydrating ceramides, 2024 saw a slew of intense skincare ingredients. In the new year, growth factors (aka GFs) and peptides are two ingredients that will really be worth the hype, hints Dr. Garshick.
Growth factors are types of proteins that increase skin hydration and stimulate skin cell generation. They’re also notable for boosting and supporting collagen production, the key to skin elasticity, Dr. Garshick says. Then there are peptides. These, too, are proteins that strengthen the skin barrier—the outermost layer of skin that keeps out the good (like moisture) and the bad (like bacteria). They are great for smoothing out skin that is on the dry side.
If you want to give growth factors, Dr. Garshick recommends giving it a try The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum, $16. If peptides sound right for you, give them a try Drunk Elephant Protein Polypeptide Cream, $69.
Understand how LED masks really work
LED face masks They are hailed as the simple (albeit expensive) solution to tighter, smoother skin. In 2025, it’s important to understand how LED masks work if you want to reap the benefits. LED masks combine red, infrared and blue light in different wavelengths to rejuvenate the skin. Red light, for example, has been shown to improve acne by reducing inflammation, neutralizing acne-causing bacteria, and targeting overactive oil glands. It also activates skin cells that produce collagen and elastin, promoting skin strength and elasticity.
While LED masks are undoubtedly the must-have tools of the moment, they are not a quick fix. Dr. Sommerlad explains, “Only invest in an LED light if you’re prepared to be extremely consistent with use,” noting that some manufacturers recommend daily use (or at least several times a week) for several months. It is worth following the instructions of the tool you have chosen.
A well-made LED mask will have several settings to target different skin concerns. If you’re ready to commit, give it a try Solawave Light Therapy Facial Mask, $349or the CurrentBody Light Therapy Facial Mask, $469.
Sunscreen all all year round
If you’ve given up on sunscreen this winter, you’re probably not alone. However, there are benefits to wearing SPF all year round, mainly because 80% of UV rays can penetrate the cloud, while UVA – responsible for premature aging and skin cancer – can also pass through glass windows . NHS Superintendent of Dermatology Dr. Sonia Sharma suggests that it’s a good idea to get into the routine of wearing sunscreen on a daily basis, even if it’s cold and dreary — and regardless of your skin tone.
Dr. Sommerlad recommends choosing a lightweight, moisturizing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50, plus UVA protection. Essay Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion, SPF70, $9.88that absorbs quickly and leaves no residue, or Garnier Pure Active BHA+Niacinamide Daily UV SPF50+, $26which is just as easy to use. If hyperpigmentation is a problem with your skin, Dr. Sommerlad suggests trying a tinted sunscreen that also blocks visible light. Essay Avène Mineral Multi-Defense Tinted SPF, $36or La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen, $38.99.
Consider molecule mapping
In addition to being diligent with sunscreen, people with a family history of skin cancer or those with a history of tanning beds may also want to consider looking into mole mapping or mole scanning services. Available in various towns and cities across the UK, such services use imaging technology to assess each mole on your body, ruling out suspicious and potentially cancerous lesions, and to track any changes in your moles over time. “This is especially helpful if you have a lot of moles,” says Dr. Sharma, adding, “If you’re concerned about new or changed moles, it’s important to seek medical help to have them re-examined.” Mole mapping is available at several clinics in the US.
Don’t overdo it
While TikTok’s 10+ step skincare routines are adorable, skinimalism is the ultimate skincare mantra for 2025. Dr. Sharma advises against using multiple skin care products with many different active ingredients, such as glycolic acid and retinoids, at the same time. “Using too many different skincare products can really weaken the skin’s barrier [the outermost layer of skin] and cause more problems,” he explains, which manifests itself in dryness, sensitivity and inflammation.
Dr. Sommerlad advises prioritizing a healthy skin barrier. Her advice is to use gentle cleansers and moisturizers that contain humectants — ingredients that attract moisture to the skin. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are some of the best known examples of such ingredients. In addition to these, ceramides and peptides can also help nourish, restore and maintain a healthy skin barrier, allowing you to get closer to your skincare goals. “Continuously working with effective but gentle ingredients leads to long-term, sustainable results,” says Dr. Sommerlad.
Careful exfoliation
Finally, Dr. Garshick says that excessive exfoliation needs to be left behind in 2024. “Although it can be tempting [seeing as it leaves] the skin [feeling] softer and gentler by exfoliating too often — or too aggressively [using physical scrubs] — can actually create microtears in the skin that can lead to skin irritation and redness,” she explains.
If alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic or lactic acid are a little too harsh for your skin type, look out for products that contain polyhydroxy acids (PHAs). These are made up of larger molecules and therefore don’t penetrate as deeply into the skin, but still have the power to smooth skin and unclog pores over time.
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