I know, I know -- I shouldn't be cutting corners on this one. New York City-based dermatologist Ranella Hirsh, MD, reminds me that it's important to wear sunscreen every day -- even in the winter. UV damage can lead to brown spots, more wrinkles, and all sorts of not-so-pretty stuff in addition to the big C.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every two hours year-round on any exposed skin. (Try Clarins UV Plus Day Screen SPF 40, $40.) At the very least, cover your face, chest, hands and forearms at least 30 minutes before heading out the door.
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Resolution No. 3: Stop popping my zits
Before you even think about popping that stubborn pimple, consider this: Waiting out a blemish is better than risking a scar -- even if it takes weeks. So, I'm essentially learning to be more patient (and perfecting my concealer technique).
Resolution No. 4: Saturate my entire body with moisturizer -- daily
I'm going to take a tip from Victoria Beckham and coat my entire body with a long-lasting body lotion to seal in moisture as soon as I get out of the shower.
Reminder: The hands tell all, so I'm resolving to drench them in hand cream and cover them with spa gloves overnight, too. According to celebrity skin care expert Ole Henriksen, a good hand cream lists humectants and natural fats first and skips or scrimps on synthetic fragrances.
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Resolution No. 5. Stop touching my face
Even if I'm militant about washing and moisturizing my hands, experts say my paws will still attract all kinds of bacteria throughout the day.
And what do I do more often than I'd like to think about? I smear that bacteria all over my face when I'm bored in a meeting and rest my cheek in my palm or when traffic gets bad and I start to massage my temples.
Since the average person touches her face three to five times per minute (OK, that stat is from the movie "Contagion," but I believe it), I doubt I'll be able to quit cold turkey. But I can definitely start to be more conscious of where I put my hands throughout the day -- and I can wash them more often with this amazingly gentle hand soap.
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Resolution No. 6: Deep condition my hair weekly
I rarely remember to do this. But I promise, 2015 will be the year I establish "Deep Conditioner Sunday" and follow the advice of almost every celebrity hairstylist I've ever met: Use a weekly hair mask. (I think I'll try Nuance Salma Hayek Intense Hydration Hair Mask Blackcurrant, $9.99, which is getting great reviews.) Maybe 2015 will also be the "flyaway-free" year.
Have you made one of the "typical" New Year's resolutions? You know, lose weight, eat healthy, stress less, find more "me-time?" Not me.
Sorry, but those resolutions have a high potential for failure. And the mere thought of failing seriously stresses me out, which in turn sends me straight to the couch with a jumbo-sized bag of Lays (see where I'm going with this?).
My alternative strategy for 2015: I'm going to start with the small stuff.
For example, my resolutions this year aren't dependent on total abstinence from chocolate and total adherence to new "rules" I don't have the willpower to follow. Instead, I am laser-focused on one area that desperately needs work: nixing my bad beauty habits. My theory? Reaching these little goals will help me gain the momentum I need to tackle the bigger stuff.
