7 Skin Goals To Set In 2021

Glow setting, if you will.

Anyone else feel like it’s December 49 2020 and not January 19 2021? We feel you. But if there’s one thing to get us out of our new-year-that-feels-old funk, it’s a wholesome Sunday sesh. That’s right, we’re talking a good old fashioned afternoon on the couch, pen in hand and goals for the next 365 days front of mind.

And whilst career, health and even love goals are all pretty standard across the board, it is usually only the beauty diehards that take the time to think skin. Well, we’re taking a stand and declaring that every single one of you (yes, every single one of you) jot down at least three skin goals you want to achieve before the next midnight kiss.

Don’t know where to start? Lucky we have Fenty Skin’s Global Ambassador, Sean Garrette on hand to divulge the top seven goals he thinks you should be committing to for a glowier 2021.

You may be familiar with the term “Mask-ne” — a phrase coined to describe any and every skin flare up resultant of wearing a mask. “It’s definitely a global skin struggle at the moment,” says Garrette. “When trying to combat it, it’s important that you keep your skin hydrated and protected and that you’re thoroughly cleansing your skin at the end of the day.”

Getting this one ticked off early in the year will put you in good stead for achieving the heftier skin commitments of yonder months so get started quick smart.

“To me ‘new year, new me’ means taking the time to learn from the mistakes I made in the previous year and making strides to be a better me in the future,” says Garrette. Taking a leaf out of his (very wise) book, we think learning from your 2020 skincare mistakes is a vital to an improved 2021 complexion.

You may remember the overuse of actives, application of too many masks and failed at-home peel attempts that defined the thick of lockdown? Well, we know better now. So please, keep repeat offending to a minimum.

Without knowing exactly what it is that your skin needs, finding a routine that will work for you for years (and perhaps even decades) to come is borderline impossible. So, 2021 is the year of understanding your skin type once and for all.

Whether you chat to a dermatologist or skin specialist or even one of the amazing staff at your local beauty counter, determining your skin type is paramount in deciding which products you need and which you should absolutely avoid.

Now that your skin type is down pat, you can finally get rid of the 35 products that have never seen the light of day. Not only will streamlining your routine help keep your skin calm, hydrated and nourished but it’s also a lot kinder to the hip pocket than your 15 step routine was. 

“Because there are so many products, ingredients and treatments available on the market, people tend to be confused and overwhelmed with their skincare routines,” says Garrette. “As an esthetician, I always preach to my clients about keeping their routine simple and focussing on products and ingredients that target their most burning issues and concerns.”

You heard it here first ladies: you can’t be everything to everyone and you certainly can’t use every beauty product.

We know, we know. We badger you about SPF like it’s going out of style but believe us when we say, we aren’t doing it for the sake of it. So, if you’re yet to commit to the once daily sunscreen application (no matter the weather!) take this as your sign to do so.

“You have to wear sunscreen every single day. No arguments. Sunscreen is absolutely a non-negotiable and is essential in every skincare routine,” says Garrette. “Sunscreen helps to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays that can cause sun damage, accelerate premature ageing and exacerbate hyperpigmentation.”

If Rihanna has time to put on sunscreen every day, so do you sister.

One of the most googled skincare ingredients of 2020 (and conveniently found in both the Fenty Skin Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum and Hydra Vizor Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen Moisturiser), niacinamide is a game changer when it comes to creating smooth, even and glowing skin. So, take the brand spanking new 365 days you’ve got under your belt to get properly acquainted.

“A great thing to focus on when coming out of the summer months in particular is protecting the skin barrier against aggressors,” says Garrette. “Niacinamide is great for this and is also a great ingredient for promoting even skin tone and reducing the look of dark spots.”

Like in any relationship, creating boundaries with your exfoliating routine is vital to keep you from getting hurt. Particularly because it seemed 2020 was the year of the skin acid, exfoliation was cemented at the forefront of every beauty junkie’s mind. But it might do you good to take a break — only for a little while, we swear.

“I think a lot of people think that the more you exfoliate, the glowier and clearer your skin will be,” says Garrette. “But over exfoliation can lead to more inflammation and irritation! The key is limiting exfoliation to about twice a week and focussing more so on hydration.”