Is Your Resolution Age-Defying Skin Health?

The new year is knocking at your door! If one of your goals is to greet it with radiant skin, then The Only Facial is happy to help. This can be your year for head-turning skin that you feel 100% confident in. But the key to that confidence can be more than what meets the eye.

Understanding Skin Cell Turnover Rate

All year long, your skin has been working relentlessly to restore its barrier. Cellular turnover rate is the natural process in which the body sheds old, dead skin cells and replaces them with healthy, new cells.

A quicker turnover rate can more effortlessly keep the skin smooth and youthful looking. However, the older we get, the slower the process becomes. As babies, skin cell turnover rate is a fast 14 days. However, as we approach our teens and into our 20’s the time increases to 28 to 30 days. Naturally, by the time we reach middle age, the process slows even more, taking anywhere from 40 to 60 days.

What Cause Cell Turnover Rate To Slow as We Age?

To understand skin cell turnover rate, first you have to understand collage. This is your body’s most prevalent protein which provides the skin and bones with strength and elasticity. With every new year we celebrate, comes a decrease in collagen production, which also means a downtick in cell turnover. As a result, there’s an abundance of dead cells making the skin more dull and less resilient. This is also why the older we get, the more we notice wrinkles, stubborn dark spots that won’t fade away, also known as hyperpigmentation, and other “signs of aging.”

There are various other factors that affect cell turnover rate, including diet, stress, and even UV exposure. They key is to take proactive measures to boost collagen production which in turn speeds up cell turnover. To enhance your skin’s ability to naturally regenerate, start by taking the following steps:

Exfoliate Regularly

Sometimes you have to step in and take matters into your own hands—safely and gently, of course. When dirt, germs, and oil accumulate on your dermis, the top layer of your skin, the epidermis, the second layer, won’t function properly. Essentially the skin is malnourished and smothered in irritants. Using a mild exfoliator once or twice a week effectively removes those impurities and dead cells and unclogs your pores. By doing so, you help new cells to rise through your epidermis and thrive more quickly and easily. Consult your aesthetician on whether a physical exfoliant or chemical exfoliant with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) is right for you.

Get Plenty of Rest

It’s almost 2026—we are no longer normalizing operating off of four hours of sleep and a cup of coffee. The body needs its rest to heal and regenerate overnight. Humans undergo a unique recovery process that can only reach its full potential while we’re asleep. For the sake of your skin and overall health and wellbeing, try to aim for at least 8 hours of sleep every night.

Prioritize a Well-Balanced Diet

A nutrient and vitamin-enriched diet can make a beautiful difference in your skin’s appearance. Vitamins A, C, and E naturally increase cell turnover rate. Drinking herbal tea and green tea in particular, provides your skin with plenty of antioxidants as well, which boosts collagen production. Eating lots of vegetables packed with healthy minerals and drinking lots of water every day also supports skin health and cell regeneration.

Minimize Stress

In the new year, try to take on as little stress as possible, as it negatively impacts your skin. Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, has been proven to significantly slow collagen production, hindering the skin’s ability to repair itself. Minimize worry wrinkles and frown lines by saying ‘no’ to any unnecessary stress.

Trust Our Professionals To Take Great Care of You in the New Year

One thing that would certainly make the New Year even better is to start it with skin you can be proud of. The aestheticians at The Only Facial look forward to helping you feel camera-ready for your NYE plans and parties. Not only that, but we’re here to help you maintain your gorgeous skin year-round, not just for long enough to bid 2025 farewell. Book your final facial for 2025 and your first one for 2026.