Many of us start each new year with good intentions, but these can quickly fall by the wayside and leave us feeling guilty. This year, my resolution is not to feel any pressure, and to aim to make simple, achievable changes instead. Here are some small things you can do that make a big difference.

Make-up brushes
Aim to wash all your make-up brushes and tools that you regularly use once a week. This includes hair brushes and combs, as they also accumulate dirt and bacteria. I do this on a Sunday ready for a new week. I soak brushes in warm water with a drop or two of tea tree oil; not only does it give an excellent cleanse, but it also helps to eliminate any built-up bacteria.

If you have mascara, foundation and other cosmetics that are old and perhaps well past the sell-by date, discard them. When you start new products, try to put a note on them with the date you opened them, as they don’t last forever and the quality does lessen over time. Pay extra attention to mascara; if bacteria accumulates on an eye product, it could lead to an eye infection. Don’t wait for the mascara to dry out before investing in a new one.

Nails
Keep toe nails and finger nails neatly trimmed and buffed, which helps maintain good nail health. Vaseline is an inexpensive item that can be used to rub into the base of your nails on your hands and feet to avoid those irritating rough cuticles. It has also become popular on TikTok, with many people using it as a face moisturiser at night. Just be sure to use a pea-size amount so it doesn’t block your pores.

SPF
Sun protection is perhaps one of the most important items you can add to your skincare regime. Any dermatologist will agree that if you only use one product on your body, you should make it a good SPF, not just in the summer months but 365 days a year.

It is hard to think about applying sun protection when we rarely see sunshine during a British winter, but don’t be fooled – those harsh UV rays can penetrate through clouds and even windows. It is a proven fact that long haul lorry drivers have far more skin damage on the side of their face near the window.

Hands also show ageing through sun exposure and, unlike the face, it is a difficult area to improve as the skin is always exposed.

Exfoliation
Aim to exfoliate your body and scalp weekly if you can, especially in these colder months when skin is more dry and flaky. It helps if you can allocate one day a week to do all these small, beneficial tasks. Most trichologists will tell you that if you want healthy, shiny hair you must have a clean scalp. Hair masks also help to keep your hair in good condition.

Lots of products we have in our home can be used if you do not want to spend money on new products. Olive oil is good for so many reasons, from nourishing the hair to hydrating dry, flaky skin. If you use olive oil on your hair, apply shampoo first, then wash with water to make it easier to remove.

If you can turn these small changes into habits, it can make a big difference. Why not make a short list of easy ‘can-do’ resolutions? Happy New Year.