Q:

One of my new year’s resolutions is to take better care of my skin. But I’ve realized that I’m not sure exactly what that entails! What are the things that I should be doing for my skin?

A:

We love this new year’s resolution! The goal is to have healthy skin. Healthy skin is smooth, even-toned, not overly dry or sensitive, firm, and free of blemishes. In other words, it looks good and feels good. Daily essentials to focus on: 1) Do good basic skin care every day. This can be as simple as Cleansing, Exfoliating, and Toning and takes just 3 minutes. These simple steps are the foundation of healthy skin. 2) Practice sun protection and avoidance. Wear sunscreen every day, wear a hat, and do your outdoor activities early or late in the day. 3) Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in foods such as leafy greens, olive oil, berries, colorful fruits and vegetables, salmon, almonds, and avocados. Just as they keep our internal organs healthy, they are also good for our external organ, the skin. Whether you are concerned with anti-aging, breakouts, or dry skin, healthy skin starts with these simple basic steps that anyone can do.