Hello and Happy New Year!
I was sat thinking about what to post this week and I thought about what I would want to read on the first 'real' week back to normality. For me, I want to read about getting myself back on track as I've not felt very motivated this year and I am usually chomping at the bit!
So, I thought a good place to start is a very simple, step by step about how to build a healthy wellness and skincare routine without it being too overwhelming. Here goes...
The festive season is filled with indulgence, late nights, and—let’s face it—a few extra calories here and there. But now that the celebrations are over, it’s the perfect time to reset and recharge for the year ahead. I want to forget generic advice about drinking water and “being mindful” as I've heard it a million times. This guide is packed with practical, niche tips to help you reclaim your glow and kickstart 2025 like you actually mean it!
Step 1: Declutter Your Skin and Mind with a Mini Detox
After weeks of heavy meals, alcohol, and lack of sleep, your skin and body are crying out for balance. But instead of a full-on detox, I'm talking micro-adjustments that are easy to stick with.
For your skin:
Product Purge: Go through your skincare cabinet and remove anything expired, unused, or unsuitable for your current skin concerns. A “less is more” approach works wonders in January.
Double Cleanse the Right Way: Kick-start your new routine with a gentle double cleanse in the evening to remove festive build-up and pollution. My tip? Start with an oil cleanser to dissolve makeup and SPF such as my Cleansing Beauty Balm, followed by a gentle water based cleanser to refresh the skin. This could be your Nimue Cleansing Gel or the Revision Gentle Cleansing Lotion.
Reset with a Hydrating Duo: After all the festivities, I'm sure your skin's barrier can be a little compromised. Replenish hydration levels by incorporating Forlle’d Refining Lotion twice a day, followed by my Vitamin C Serum to brighten and repair.
For your mind:
The Digital Detox Hour: Set aside one hour each day to step away from screens—no emails, no scrolling. Use this time to read, stretch, or simply be. This can help reduce stress-related skin flare-ups like acne or sensitivity. If you wanted to be really, really good, you can switch this around and actually set times to respond to emails and check your phone. For example, between 9 and 11am and 2 and 4pm perhaps?
5-Minute Journaling: Each morning, jot down three things you’re grateful for and one skin or wellness goal for the day. This can help shift your mindset toward positivity and self-care. I love just to jot things down in my ipad but you could even treat yourself to a lovely notebook to jot everything down each day.
Step 2: Build a Skin-Saving Night Routine
Late nights and indulgent foods can leave your skin looking dull and puffy. A strong nighttime skincare ritual will help undo some of the damage.
What to do:
Exfoliate Twice a Week: Use Nimue Exfoliating Enzyme or SkinBetter Science Peel Pads to remove dead skin cells and kickstart cellular turnover. (Avoid over-exfoliating—your skin’s barrier is delicate right now.)
Face Massage with Tools: Incorporate facial tools like my fluorite gua sha or gold globe face massager to boost circulation and help contour your face. These are especially effective for de-puffing after late nights.
Mask and Chill: Use a deeply hydrating and de-puffing mask like Meder Lipo-Oval once a week. Store it in the fridge for an extra cooling, de-puffing effect.
Enhance Skin Nourishment : Build in a face oil to apply as the last step in your skincare routine. This is great in the cooler months to help protect your skin's barrier.
Pro tip: Keep your skincare tools and masks in a visible spot in your bathroom so you remember to use them regularly.
Step 3: Organise Your Healthy Eating Habits
Instead of overhauling your diet all at once, focus on small, realistic steps to create sustainable habits.
What to do:
Plan Your Weekly Meals in Advance: Spend some time every Sunday planning out simple, nourishing meals for the week. Focus on incorporating all you need for a healthy plate - protein (lean meats, fish, pulses, tofu), fat (avocado, nuts and seeds), fibre (complex carbs, sweet potatoes, wholegrains), leafy greens and your superfoods.
Set Up a Snack Station: Pre-portion snacks like almonds, mixed seeds, and fresh fruit into containers and keep them on your desk or in your bag for an easy, skin-friendly pick-me-up.
Create a Hydration Trigger: Forget “drink more water” reminders. Instead, create triggers that prompt you to hydrate—like taking a sip of water every time you check your phone or sit at your desk. Also, if you hate plain, cold water, then maybe make a large herbal tea in a travel mug to carry with you. Sometimes I will just have a huge travel flask filled with a peppermint tea to keep me drinking.
Step 4: Treat Your Skin from the Inside Out
Skin supplements are an easy way to support your complexion from within. Post-festivities, your body needs a collagen boost to combat dehydration, fine lines, and dullness.
What to do:
Incorporate Skinade Daily: Skinade is my go-to supplement for boosting collagen, elasticity, and hydration. Keep it in the fridge and grab one every morning with breakfast.
Hack Your Supplement Routine: Struggle to remember your supplements? Keep them by your kettle or coffee machine as a visual cue to take them with your morning drink. Alternatively, set a phone reminder or pack them in your work bag the night before. Don't forget, anything with vitamin C can't be absorbed if you have it with caffeine though. Make sure you allow 30 minutes after your coffee before taking your supplements.
January is always a good time to reset your skincare and wellness routine, but it doesn't always have to feel so overwhelming. I like to just do these small steps to start with at the beginning of the year to get me back on track and then from there I can tweak it to improve as the month goes on.
Don’t forget, if you’re unsure where to begin, my Skin Check-In Service is the perfect way to get personalised product recommendations and routine tips tailored to your unique skin concerns. It’s free, quick, and designed to help you glow all year long.
Thank you so much for reading,
Emmaline
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