New Year, More Me: Hello, 2021
There's a lot to be said about 2020, and let's be real, everyone and their mother are saying it on repeat so I don't need to reiterate. Plus, we've all lived through the same together, so I don't need to bring you up to speed. But I guess it wasn't all bad? I guess I am joining everyone else online and looking at the bright side of 2020.
For me, quarantine was the catalyst of building my website, starting this blog, committing to a weekly newsletter, and sharing my skincare knowledge on Instagram. It also helped me reconnect with a lot of friends and loved ones, pushed me to get support in areas of my life where I needed it most, and forced me to learn how to be gentler with myself. So I can say that despite the challenges, I’m extremely fortunate and full of gratitude for where I am today.
And I’m not the only one growing. Looking back at 2020, skincare had a major boom across the board. Because of stay at home orders, we wore less makeup, plus the increased number of hours spent staring at ourselves on zoom all day, we were reminded to take care of our skin more. And with more people taking their skincare more seriously, several trends emerged.
Skincare trends that I hope are here to stay from 2020:
Back to basics. There has been a realization that more is not necessarily better when it comes to skincare. And with this, a reduction in harsh approaches to skincare (no, you don't need to exfoliate every day!) Simply having the right products in a simple routine can be very powerful!
I've noticed more interest in sunscreen than ever before. There has been an increased awareness on the importance of wearing SPF and protecting the skin from the sun. This truly makes me so happy as you know I'm always telling everyone they need to use SPF (the only hard rule in skincare, IMO)
Leaving harsh scrubs (and physical exfoliants) behind. I mean, Clarisonic went out of business, should I say more? Obviously, this wasn't just about 2020, but it's still another indicator that more people are turning to chemical exfoliants instead (YAY!)
Skincare trends predictions for 2021:
Spate is a very cool company founded by ex-Googlers that analyzes consumer search data. Based on this, they've predicted the trends to expect in the new year. Here are some of them:
Exfoliating toners: this goes back to the above of switching harsh exfoliants for chemical ones. An exfoliating toner is basically just a liquid form of an exfoliator (instead of a mask or serum or cleanser).
Toners can be a bit confusing because it's a broad category with different types of products (there can be hydrating toners, astringents, exfoliating, etc). But in this case, one of the benefits is that it's a leave-on product that you don't have to remove and can go under the rest of your routine (but avoid additional actives). Just don’t think you should be using it every day (the fact that it’s called a toner can be misleading)
Hydrocolloid patches: aka pimple patches. I've talked about these before and it's no surprise people are searching for these (hello, mask acne). I certainly think they have benefits and a place in your routine, check out more about them here
Ice roller: this was an interesting one since I thought ice rollers had their moment a long time ago. But I guess they're back? Nothing wrong with them, they can be quite soothing and calming for the skin. I especially like icing inflamed breakouts or the face overall every once in a while (you don't necessarily need an ice roller for this, but no harm in them)
Gua Sha facial: Gua Sha, in general, got a lot of popularity during quarantine since it's something you can do on yourself and it's fairly easy and accessible. And as people are starting to go out more, maybe they're looking to experience this from a professional? If you're still just looking to practice on yourself and are not quite ready to adventure out into the world, here's a 10 min ritual you can do on yourself. And if you need a stone, purchase one of my favorites here
Additionally, from what I'm seeing online, it seems as though consumers are expecting more transparency. Science-based skincare has been on the rise, and I'm here for that. However, the clean beauty industry has also seen increased demand, and although there are certain aspects of clean beauty that I enjoy, I hope the fear-mongering tactics stay back in 2020. More on this subject in a future post (I've got thoughts!).
Rise of self-care: skincare’s not the only trend
With increased stress due to uncertainty and fear around COVID, work, school, and life in general, 2020 really showed us the importance of health. And within that, mental health was put to the test as a collective.
The importance of caring for ourselves was very salient. It was apparent that self-care was needed and very much appreciated this year. Many of us struggle to care for ourselves and there's a fear of being selfish. But with depression and anxiety rates through the roof, it's more important than ever to pay attention to our emotional health.
"Put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others"
Cliches become such for a reason. Enter, self-care. And I don't mean face masks and pedicures (although great and both have their place in self-care).
I personally tried to show you how self-care can be anything and that you don't have to spend a lot of time, money, or effort when caring for yourself. The important thing is to make your self-care work for YOU and for it to have a purpose in your life. If you need more support with this, I made you a FREE guide to help you find the best self-care for you.
Now more than ever, the importance of self-care is extremely prevalent. And it was certainly emphasized by many throughout this year.
This is actually another trend that I hope stays and continues to grow during 2021.
“New Year, new me?” I’m ditching that!
Going into a New Year, I encourage you to take inventory of what this past year has meant for you and think about what you'd like 2021 to look like. I invite you to drop that "new year, new me" BS. Especially those meaningless resolutions that end up fading by January 15.
It seems as though New Year resolutions are often set up for failure. Many of us start the new year with big plans to drastically change our lives and ourselves. And clearly, these are unsustainable plans, thus the high attrition rates. You're pretty good the way you are. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about growing, evolving, and self-development. But this can be a never-ending loophole that we never complete.
So instead, this New Year, my approach is "New Year, MORE OF ME."
I'm not talking about giving up on change and incorporating new and positive habits, but about really choosing the habits that work for me and move me closer to my goals. Instead of thinking about how to change me, it’s about being myself and loving more of who I am. Accepting myself more (all of my perfections and imperfections) and being gentler with my own struggles, progress, and own timing.
I guess that’s a different approach to resolutions. A few years ago I attended a workshop lead by Katie Daleabout for New Years. There, she encouraged us to come up with a couple of words or feelings that would represent the coming year. That feels more real: caring for myself and embracing myself. Whereas other years I would have thought about exercise as a resolution, because my goal is to care for myself, exercise is part of this, but not the whole purpose.
Additionally, I recently heard Kelly McGonigal talking about habit formation, goals, and New Year Resolutions from a past 10% Happier podcast episode on the importance of having a strong reason for forming a habit. And then to have something in your environment to remind you of this (ex. wanting to exercise to be healthy to be able to attend your young child's future wedding and keeping a picture of them next to your workout clothes or gear).
As you come up with a word(s) for the coming year, your actions are all centered around achieving this goal. And this supports you entirely by allowing you to be yourself fully.
You can make use of self-care to really add to how you want to feel or the word you choose for 2021
Give up on resolutions?
I personally really like resolutions, although I don't think starting new habits should be something you try only during January. And I also don't think they need to be dramatic goals that promise to change who you are entirely. In general, I like to set goals each month (or at least try) and like to review my success and how I'm doing. So when the new year comes, it's just another month. However, there is a big energy around it and there's certainly a bigger picture feeling.
But instead of falsely promising to exercise more just for the sake of it (and because society tells you that should be your resolution), find a reason behind your desired goal that you truly believe in. For example, talking to a client about SPF, she came to the conclusion that by using SPF every day, she's showing herself self-love and respecting her health. By understanding this and by committing to her health, she's in a stronger path to success with this positive habit.
I don't think resolutions should be focused on changing you, either. Again, you're pretty great just as you are (in case you needed the reminder).
Having a word or feeling to focus on for the new year - sort of like a overarching goal that you want to work towards and your actions lead you closer to that.
