As we enter another new year, it’s likely that your skin (and body) are feeling a little lacklustre off the back of a very busy (but also super fun) silly season. Especially if, like us, you felt like silly season began in about mid-October last year, your skin could be feeling very overdue for some tender loving care. 

But before we jump into how to nail a skin reset, we have a few caveats. Firstly, and it pains us to say this, but these tips will do nothing if you’re not giving the gin and tonics a rest. Alcohol is one of the biggest causes of inflammation in the body and skin so cutting back will help you considerably. The same can be said for your diet. Make sure that you’re getting back into eating enough fruits and vegetables to ensure all those micronutrients are doing their bit. Plus, as delicious as greasy fish and chip shop food is, all that oil could be what’s causing your skin to freak out.

But, with all that out in the open, allow us to dive into our guide to doing a post-silly season skin reset (the right way).

We know, we know. Our natural instinct when our skin is playing up post-3489 glasses of champagne and enough hot chips to sustain us well into April, is to cover the plethora of sins with an extreme amount of concealer. But before you take that doe foot to your face, it’s important to consider that smothering sad skin in makeup may be doing more harm than good. So, where possible, the first step to a skin reset is letting your complexion breathe. Of course, if work or social commitments demand a little coverage, by all means go for it. But, day-to-day, your skin will thank you for upping the skincare ante and doing away with heavy makeup formulas. It won’t be for long but this initial commitment will pay serious skin dividends.

Hands up if you were lazy with your double cleansing while all the days rolled into one? Don’t worry, we were too. So, when looking to reset your skin for a successful 2024, it’s time to get back on that double cleanse train. Depending on your skin type, the first cleanse should be an oil-based cleanser that works on dry skin to melt away makeup, sunscreen and grime. Your second cleanse can be a gel/cream/foaming formula (whatever works best for your skin’s needs) and is designed to really get into those pores and clear out any excess oil, sebum or dirt. When used in conjunction, these two formula types leave you with the cleanest skin ever and prep it perfectly for your hard working skincare routine.

Gritty Pretty loves: Alpha-H Melting Moment Cleansing Balm, Dermalogica PreCleanse, Dior La Mousse Off/On Foaming Cleanser, Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

One of the leading causes of problematic skin is clogged pores. And particularly as silly season also falls during summer time for us Australians, this time of year is often marked by an increase in breakouts and blackheads (thank you, sunscreen). So, another key component of a skin reset is knuckling down on your exfoliating routine. Whether you opt for a physical scrub or a chemical exfoliant, finding a formula that is gentle enough not to cause irritation but effective enough to leave you with skin that is smoothed, even-toned and bright is crucial. Our only advice? Don’t go too ham on sloughing away those skin cells. Once or twice a week is plenty to see results while keeping your skin barrier intact.

Gritty Pretty loves: Kate Sommerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, Go-To Clarifying Exfoliator, Tatcha The Rice Polish, Emma Lewisham Illuminating Exfoliant

A skin reset wouldn’t be complete without some serious R&R. Enter: your favourite replenishing mask. A perfect weekly treatment to get your skin back to its best self, finding a mask that works for your skin type is vital. If you err on the oilier side of the scale, opting for a clarifying clay mask will help draw out impurities and balance the skin. If you fall into the dry skin category, a mask filled with juicy hydrating and nourishing ingredients like peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid will be your best friend. All we know is that there is something about taking the time to invest in your skin (and perhaps indulge in your favourite reality TV show simultaneously) that is key to happy, healthy skin.

Gritty Pretty loves: Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask, Lesse Bioactive Mask, CHANEL Hydra Beauty Camellia Repair Mask, Eve Lom Rescue Mask

Great skin starts from within, so the final step in achieving an award-winning skin reset (they should really be giving out Golden Globes for this kind of commitment), is checking in with what you’re putting inside your body. Drinking three litres of water a day, committing to a gut-healthy probiotic and prioritising whole foods, fruits and vegetables in your diet will all contribute to skin that is happy again. Cutting down on your alcohol intake will also help here, just saying.

Gritty Pretty loves: The Beauty Chef GLOW, Vesuvio Estro Clear Detox Blend, Seed Daily Synbiotic