Top 4 New Year’s Resolutions: Beauty Do’s and Don’ts for 2015

buford-beauty-dos-donts-1024x680New Year’s Day has come and gone, but it’s not too late to make a few beauty resolutions for 2015. Whether you dream of breakout-free skin or fewer fine lines and wrinkles, these four beauty “do’s and don’ts” resolutions can help get you back on track for a healthy, natural glow:

I resolve to wear SPF daily”.

The sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays can cause skin damage any day of the year. Whether you’re lying on the beach or bundled up on a cloudy winter’s day, commit to never leaving the house without applying a moisturizer that contains an SPF of at least 30. Daily SPF use is critical to reducing your risk for both premature aging (including fine lines and wrinkles) as well as skin cancer.

“I resolve to not sleep in my makeup.”

While this common makeup sin may seem harmless, when you sleep in your makeup you are not giving your skin a chance to recover from oxidative stress exposure accumulated during the day. Makeup holds on to free radicals, resulting in fine lines on the skin and increased risk for premature aging. Even worse, heavy makeup foundation and thick, oil-based primers clog the pores, leading to unsightly acne breakouts.

“I resolve to throw out old makeup.”

Still hanging on to crusty mascara or dried-out foundation? It’s time to say goodbye. Spoilage naturally occurs over time due to the introduction of bacteria, water evaporation, and loss of potency of active ingredients. For example, anti-aging skincare products have ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid that will break down and lose their potency within a year. Even nail polish is extremely sensitive to heat and humidity; chemicals that keep the polish smooth also degrade quickly. Worst of all, old beauty products could be contaminated with bacteria that might cause an infection. So keep your skin and eyes safe, and toss old products. Bonus: you’ll reduce clutter and make room for new favorites!

“I resolve to watch what I eat and drink.”

Inhaling a cheap slice of pizza may not cause your skin to instantly breakout, but there is a clear link between what you put in your body and how it looks on the outside. Overall health is closely linked to outward beauty. Staying hydrated, for example, increases skin firmness and improves elasticity. Vegetables and fruits are rich in antioxidants, which fight the free radicals that damage skin and cause premature aging. So when you make healthy food choices, you’re also boosting and protecting your natural beauty!

Ready to make a change this year? From anti-aging skincare to daily moisturizing, these beauty do’s and don’ts are all important to total body wellness. Your health is in your hands!