New Year’s beauty resolutions for a younger look

I admit that I am not a fan of New Year’s resolutions. That kind of abrupt break feels too unrealistic to me. Routines are built over weeks, and a sustainable lifestyle change does not happen overnight. Still, I have noticed that during 2025 I introduced many beauty decisions that I plan to keep in the new year as well.

The new year is the perfect opportunity for a reset, not only in life habits but also in your beauty routine. Small, consistent steps can make a huge difference when it comes to the health of your skin, hair, and entire body. If you want to notice a more radiant complexion, healthier hair, and a more youthful appearance as early as next year, I suggest incorporating these 11 decisions into your daily life over the year ahead.

11 New Year’s beauty resolutions that will truly make you feel good about yourself

1/ Never skip sun protection

UV rays are one of the biggest causes of skin aging. Fine lines, pigmentation, and loss of elasticity are often the result of years of exposure without adequate protection. SPF cream should become your everyday ally, even on cloudy days and during the winter months. Choose a lightweight facial formula from popular pharmacy brands such as Bioderma, Vichy, or La Roche-Posay, and the range of Korean cosmetics will not disappoint you either.

2/ Introduce probiotics into your supplements

Photo: Charlotte May

It seems that many of our body’s issues begin with digestion. If that is the case, it makes sense to place greater focus on digestive health. Kombucha, kefir, fermented and pickled foods can help, as well as probiotic supplementation. Probiotics help balance gut flora, which directly affects not only the complexion and overall condition of the skin, but also the health of the entire body. Regular use of probiotics can reduce inflammation, improve hydration, and even ease symptoms of sensitive skin.

3/ Check your hormones, vitamins, and minerals once a year

We often take various supplements on our own without checking what the body actually needs. Hormones, vitamins, and minerals are essential for energy and for the health of skin, hair, and nails. Regular laboratory testing allows you to identify deficiencies in time and act preventively, whether through diet or supplements. This way, you not only look better, but also feel more vital.

4/ Walk for at least half an hour a day

Physical activity is not only about maintaining a slim figure. Walking improves circulation, supports digestion, and longevity experts often highlight it as one of the most important habits. Half an hour of brisk walking a day can significantly improve both the condition and appearance of the body, especially since high-intensity workouts do not suit everyone. Walking is also simple enough to fit into every day.

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5/ Introduce body exfoliation

This is rarely talked about, but chemical exfoliation does more than remove dead skin cells. It also stimulates skin renewal, or in other words the creation of new, younger skin, and increases the absorption of moisturizing creams. To keep the skin of your body youthful, add a chemical body exfoliant to your shower routine. After exfoliating, apply a rich cream or oil to keep the skin soft, smooth, and firm.

6/ Make a scalp serum a basic part of your routine

As the body ages, so does the hair. Although hair is key to a youthful appearance, as a non-vital part of the body it is often the first to suffer from various deficiencies and internal issues. A healthy scalp is the foundation of strong, thick hair. Serums enriched with nutrients such as peptides, vitamins, and plant extracts stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss. Massage the scalp for a few minutes every day. In addition to improving circulation, massage also helps with relaxation, and these small anti-stress routines will help you stay vital for longer.

7/ Xylitol gum will protect your teeth

Dental health directly affects the overall appearance of the face. Healthy, beautiful teeth help maintain a youthful look. One interesting type of sugar can be especially helpful here. Chewing gum with xylitol reduces the amount of bacteria that cause cavities. After meals, this can be a simple but effective way to preserve white, healthy teeth without much effort.

8/ Limit your intake of refined sugar

You have probably read this sentence a hundred times by now, but sugar really does accelerate the aging of the skin, and the entire body, because it damages the structure of collagen and elastin, proteins essential for a youthful appearance. Focus on whole foods, healthy fats, and natural sources of sugar that are also good for digestive health, such as apples, or those rich in antioxidants that support vitality, such as blueberries, to provide your skin and body with optimal conditions for regeneration.

9/ Focus on vegetables more than fruit

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Speaking of sugar, this is also worth noting. Fruit is healthy, but it often contains a lot of fructose. When you want to increase your intake of vitamins and minerals for vitality, vegetables are a better choice. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that protect skin cells and maintain energy, while containing less sugar. It is also worth keeping in mind that many fruits today have been modified to be unnaturally sweet, even sweeter than the original fruit. For preserving a youthful appearance, leafy greens, broccoli, and bell peppers are especially important, as they also support immunity, an important anti-inflammatory factor for vitality.

10/ Prioritize sleep

Lack of sleep is always visible on the face, in dark circles and dull skin, but also on the body. Low energy and weight gain, since fat is metabolized during sleep, are common consequences of insufficient rest. If you ask longevity experts for advice on how to look younger, quality sleep is always on the list. During deep sleep, the body produces collagen and regenerates skin cells. Set a routine of going to bed at the same time, avoid screens an hour before sleep, and create a calm space for rest.

Photo: Ketut Subiyanto

11/ Check your biological and wellness age once a year

Finally, it is worth making use of all the power of technology available to us today. Biological age often differs from chronological age and shows how much your body is truly aging. Regular checks through medical and wellness tests help you identify areas that need attention, from nutrition and physical activity to skincare and haircare habits. This allows you to make more precise decisions to preserve a youthful appearance. That is why it is a good idea to check and measure your wellness and biological age once a year, so you can objectively know where you stand.