It’s natural to want a fresh start in January. Some years I say I’ll exercise more, others I vow to spend less time on the phone. But my ongoing New Year’s resolution is to show my skin a little extra care.
While we may stumble over some New Year’s resolutions or abandon them altogether, your skincare routine in 2025 shouldn’t feel like an insurmountable hurdle. Small changes can often make a big difference and there is no need to spend a small fortune. either.
Ahead, we asked three dermatologists what simple skincare resolutions they’re aiming for in 2025. Trust us, these are goals you actually want to stick to.
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Try retinal instead of retinol
If your current retinol serum isn’t doing this for you, then it may be time to add retinal into the mix, says Dr. Marisa Garshick, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. Retinal, or retinaldehyde—a skin-care ingredient derived from vitamin A—is considered more effective than retinol and less irritating than a prescription retinoid (e.g., tretinoin), explains Dr. Garshick. And this is how it works: In order for vitamin A derivatives to have their effect on the skin, they must be converted into retinoic acid. “Retinaldehyde is considered more effective than retinol because conversion to retinoic acid requires fewer steps,” says Dr. Garshick. In other words: it works much faster.
“[Retinal] is a great option for someone who can tolerate retinol but is not seeing the results they want,” continues Dr. Garshick gone. If you have dry or sensitive skin that can’t handle strong prescription retinoids, Retinal may also be your solution – and you can get it over the counter. Medik8’s Crystal Retinal costs $54 and is available in a variety of strengths for both beginners and experienced retinal users. Also try the Maelove Moonlight Retinal Serum ($39.95), with hydrating squalane and ceramides, and R29’s favorite Glow Recipe BlackBerry Retinol Blemish Serum ($48). If you want to spend less, try The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion for $14.90.
Skin care is much more than just your face
The experts agree: All skin care routines should go beyond the face. The neck, upper chest, and hands are often forgotten in skin care regimens, explains Dr. Mary Sommerlad, but these areas require just as much attention as your face. She adds that the skin in the décolletage can be very vulnerable to the effects of excessive sun and other elements such as cold weather.
However, this does not mean that you have to buy a specific décolleté cream. It is equally beneficial if you apply your usual moisturizer to the neck and chest area. But there are rules. “[The skin here is] It is incredibly sensitive and may not tolerate acids as strong as the face,” says Dr. Summerlad. Simply put, the 7% glycolic acid that works wonders on your blackheads could be irritating the skin further down.
Instead, Dr. Garshick gentle but effective creams with strengthening peptides, moisturizing hyaluronic acid and of course sun protection for the day. Her most popular multitasking facial products that can also be used on the neck and chest include Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Face and Neck Cream ($76) and Peter Thomas Roth Ultimate Solution 5 Multitasking Moisturizer ($65). Also try Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturizer for $20 if you’d rather spend less.
Look for moisturizers with these particular ingredients
From hydrating niacinamide to hydrating ceramides, 2024 has seen a variety of popular skincare ingredients. In the new year, growth factors (also known as GF) and peptides are two ingredients that will really be worth the hype, suggests Dr. Garshick.
Growth factors are types of proteins that increase skin moisture and stimulate skin cell formation. They also excel at boosting and supporting collagen production, the key to supple skin, says Dr. Garshick. Then there are peptides. These are also proteins that strengthen the skin barrier – the outermost layer of skin that keeps out good stuff (like moisture) and bad stuff (like bacteria). They are great for smoothing dry skin.
If you want to try growth factors, Dr. Garshick The Inkey List’s 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum for $16. If peptides are right for you, try the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream for $69.
Understand how LED masks actually work
LED face masks are being hailed as a simple (if expensive) solution to firmer, smoother skin. In 2025, it’s important to understand how LED masks work if you want to reap the benefits. LED masks combine red, infrared and blue light of different wavelengths to rejuvenate the skin. Red light, for example, has been shown to improve acne by reducing inflammation, neutralizing acne-causing bacteria, and combating overactive sebaceous glands. It also activates the skin cells that produce collagen and elastin, promoting skin firmness and elasticity.
Although LED masks are arguably the essential tool right now, they are not a quick fix. Dr. Sommerlad explains: “Only invest in an LED light if you are prepared to use it extremely consistently.” Some manufacturers recommend daily use (or at least several times a week) for several months. It is worth following the instructions of the tool you choose.
A well-made LED mask will have different settings to address different skin concerns. If you’re ready to commit, try the Solawave Light Therapy Face Mask for $349 or the CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask for $469.
Sunscreen all year round
If you’ve skipped sunscreen this winter, you’re probably not the only one. However, wearing SPF all year round offers benefits, not least because 80% of UV rays can penetrate cloud cover, while UVA – responsible for premature aging and skin cancer – can also penetrate through glass windows. Dr. Sonia Sharma, consultant dermatologist with the NHS, suggests that it’s a good idea to wear sunscreen every day, even when it’s cold and cloudy – and regardless of your skin tone.
Dr. Sommerlad recommends choosing a lightweight, hydrating sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50 and UVA protection. Try Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion, SPF70, $9.88, which absorbs quickly and leaves no residue, or Garnier Pure Active BHA+Niacinamide Daily UV SPF50+, $26, which is equally easy to use. If hyperpigmentation is a skin problem for you, Dr. Sommerlad to try a tinted sunscreen that also blocks visible light. Try Avène Mineral Multi-Defense Tinted SPF ($36) or La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen ($38.99).
Consider mole mapping
In addition to carefully using sunscreen, people with a family history of skin cancer or who have ever used a tanning bed should also consider mole mapping or mole scanning. Available in various cities across the UK, these services use imaging technology to examine every single mole on your body, rule out suspicious and potentially cancerous lesions, and track any changes to your moles over time. “This is particularly useful if you have a lot of moles,” says Dr. Sharma adds, “If you are concerned about new or changing moles, it is important to see a doctor to have them checked.” Mole mapping is available at various clinics across the United States.
Don’t overdo it
While TikTok’s 10-step skincare routines are captivating, skinimalism is the ultimate skincare mantra for 2025. Dr. Sharma advises against using multiple skin care products with many different active ingredients, such as glycolic acid and retinoids, at the same time. “Using many different skin care products can actually weaken the skin barrier [the outermost layer of skin] and cause more problems,” she explains, which manifests as dryness, tenderness and inflammation.
Dr. Sommerlad recommends prioritizing a healthy skin barrier. Her advice is to use gentle cleansers and moisturizers that contain humectants – ingredients that draw moisture into the skin. The best-known examples of such ingredients include hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Additionally, ceramides and peptides can also help nourish, restore and maintain a healthy skin barrier, bringing you closer to your skin care goals. “The consistent use of effective yet gentle ingredients leads to longer-term, sustainable results,” says Dr. Summerlad.
Gently exfoliate
Finally, Dr. Garshick that excessive exfoliation will have to be abandoned in 2024. “Although it may be tempting [seeing as it leaves] the skin [feeling] softer and smoother, peeling too often – or too aggressively [using physical scrubs] – can actually cause micro-tears in the skin, which can lead to skin irritation and redness,” she explains.
If alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid or lactic acid are a little too harsh for your skin type, look for products that contain polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) instead. These are made of larger molecules and therefore don’t penetrate the skin as deeply, but still have the power to smooth the skin over time and unclog pores.
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