At the start of the new year, we’re naturally inundated with a wave of resolutions—but when it comes to skincare, January feels like the perfect time to hit reset. While some intentions fade by February, the Cosmo beauty team and I have a few skin-focused resolutions we’re committed to sticking with all year long.
From simple lifestyle tweaks to being more consistent with skincare tools and treatments, these are the habits we’re holding ourselves accountable for to get the most out of our routines and keep our skin looking (and feeling) its best. And of course, feel free to borrow a few—or all—of them for yourself.
1. Be better about linens
After a four-year-long, tumultuous acne journey, I’ve learned that small lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in the clarity of my skin. Two of my biggest non-negotiables now? Regularly swap my pillowcases and ditch reusable towels for my face. While silk pillowcases are gentle on both hair and skin, they can still collect oil, sweat, and bacteria if they’re not washed often—so keeping them fresh has helped keep my pores clearer and my skin calmer (plus, it just feels better to crawl into bed).
And long gone are the days of drying my freshly washed face with a bath or hand towel. Reusing towels can reintroduce bacteria and undo all that cleansing, so switching to disposable or dedicated facial towels—like the kind from Clean Skin Club and Peace Out—has made a noticeable difference in keeping my breakouts in check.
2. Keep your hands off your face
As tempting as it can be to pick at pores and breakouts, beauty director Lauren Balsamo says she's making it a point to leave her skin alone. "Without fail, if I pick at a breakout, I'm left with a lingering red or brown mark for weeks," she says. "The truth is, constantly touching or picking at your face disrupts the skin barrier and can lead to scarring and more breakouts. In 2026, if I need extractions, I'm going to book a deep-cleaning facial instead of trying to handle things at home."
3. Stay consistent with LED devices
"Being extra consistent with at-home LED is my top goal," says beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson. Red-light therapy is also a top priority for beauty editor Beth Gillette too. "I love my LED devices, but they’re only effective if I use them consistently," she says. "My goal this year is to incorporate LED therapy more often, ideally every time I wash my hair or while winding down at night."
4. Recommit to vitamin C
When it comes to brightening ingredients, there's nothing as effective as vitamin C, but for years, formulas have been a pain to use. They would smell, pill, or oxidize quickly, rendering them ineffective. But in 2026, a new gen of vitamin C serums has arrived on the scene, and we're feeling inspired to use the ingredient regularly again. "I forgot how good a good vitamin C serum can be," says Balsamo. "The ingredient not only helps fade existing dark spots and prevent new ones from forming, but it can help protect skin from environmental damage and, in some cases, stimulate collagen production too," she says. Shop her favorite new vitamin C serums below:
5. Incorporate new products slowly and sparingly
"Last year, I completely overhauled and limited my skincare regimen when my hormonal breakouts went haywire," says Gillette. "It hurt my soul as someone who wants to test everything, but it was truly necessary to get my skin on track." Now, she’s slowly and judiciously reintroducing high-tech, proven ingredients back into her routine, focusing on products that support barrier repair and the skin’s microbiome. Derms co-sign this approach, too: Less is more is the way we should all be thinking about our skincare routines in 2026.
6. Make sauna time a regular thing
Sauna sessions with a good, detoxifying sweat are excellent for boosting circulation and lowering cortisol, thus supporting overall skin health. And beyond leaving your complexion refreshed and glowing, the ritual itself is deeply relaxing and feels like a full-body reset. And since we know our mental health can impact acne (and vice versa), taking this time for yourself can be just as beneficial for your mind as it is for your skin.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about everything from bodycare to hair care. For this story, she crowdsourced team Cosmo's skincare resolutions to share the best ways to reset for the new year.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
