cheers to happy skin

Follow these New Year's resolutions for healthy, glowing skin all year long!

Happy skin is just like it sounds: bright, glowing and definitely worth smiling about! While everyone's skin has different needs, there are five mindful things you can do to set the stage for healthier skin in the New Year. Add them to your resolutions to reap the benefits year-round:

• Drink more water.

  Winter is the perfect time for hot cocoa, spiced lattes and fancy cocktails. But too much salt, sugar, caffeine and alcohol can really push your skin's buttons. To balance out the holiday decadence, increase your water intake. Drinking 8 to 10 cups a day will help keep your skin from getting dehydrated, which can cause excess oil production, breakouts, irritation and dry patches – sometimes all at once!

  Expert tip: Carry a water bottle and a hydrating toner to keep your moisture levels balanced on the go.

• Exfoliate regularly.

  Human skin produces about 36 million new cells every day, but those cells can get damaged and congested from poor skin care habits. Plus, cell turnover slows with age, contributing to a dull, lackluster appearance.

  To regain that dewy, healthy glow, exfoliate at least once or twice a week. This helps slough off dead, dulling skin cells so shiny new cells can move to the surface.

  Expert tip: Have trouble remembering when to exfoliate? Build this gentle Rice-based exfoliant into your daily routine instead.

• Use SPF every day.

  Sunscreen isn't just for sun bathing. Even 20 minutes outdoors on a cold, cloudy day can result in UV damage to the skin, which eventually shows up as wrinkles or dark spots.

  Expert tip: To help protect your skin and ward off premature signs of aging, add a solar booster to your daily moisturizer.

• Reduce stress levels.

  You may have heard that stress is linked to all kinds of health problems. Well, skin issues are one of them. Symptoms include psoriasis (patchy, scaly skin), rashes, itching, redness, excess oil production (which can lead to breakouts) and vitiligo (loss of pigmentation, or skin color).

  Expert tip: Relax your senses by improving your exercise and sleep habits, and adding body aromatherapy to your usual cleansing and moisturizing routine.

• See a professional skin therapist.

  Make 2015 the year you finally get your best skin ever. Whether you want to re-evaluate your current regimen or treat a specific concern, Dermalogica skin experts can help. Visit a skin center near you for a complimentary Face Mapping® skin analysis and a customized product prescription.