New year, new you. The first step: your skin. If year-long New Year's resolutions aren't your thing, we've put together a step-by-step skincare plan that shows results after a short month-long stint. Our staffers tried four regimens, all of which made for brighter, smoother skin—and they can't stop gushing about them! Are you ready to start gushing too?
THE GOAL: Clear Complexion
A.M. ROUTINE: Proactiv+ Pore Targeting Treatment, $20; proactivplus.com. CeraVe Sunscreen SPF 50 for Face, $15; cvs.com. Clearasil Daily Clear Refreshing Superfruit Wash, $6; drugstore.com.
THE GOAL: Clear Complexion
P.M. ROUTINE: Jan Marini Skin Research Age Intervention Duality Treatment Cream, $90; janmarini.com. Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer, $17; aveeno.com.
THE GOAL: Glowing Skin
A.M. ROUTINE: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, $9; $30; neutrogena.com. L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Glow Renewal Day/Night Cream, $20; lorealparisusa.com.
THE GOAL: Glowing Skin
P.M. ROUTINE: Origins Plantscription Youth-Renewing Face Oil, $50; $50; origins.com. Olay Pro-X Microdermabrasion Plus Advanced Cleansing System (with brush, cleanser, and exfoliator), $40; olay.com. Caudalíe Premier Cru La Crème Riche, $155; caudalie.com.
THE GOAL: Bright Eyes
A.M. ROUTINE: AM: Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels, $30/16; skyniceland.com. Lancôme Visionnaire Eye Advanced Eye Contour Perfecting Corrector, $60; lancome.com.
THE GOAL: Bright Eyes
P.M. ROUTINE: StriVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Eye Treatment, $30; strivectin.com.
THE GOAL: Wrinkle-Free Skin
THE RX: Consider glycolic acid the MVP of this regimen. In a cleanser or moisturizer it will help "remove dead skin and speed cell turnover, so skin looks less wrinkled over time," says Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas. During the day, she suggests a vitamin C serum to increase the production of skin-firming collagen, and then a moisturizing sunscreen to protect from cell-damaging free radicals caused by the sun. At night: a retinol lotion—spiked with hydrating hyaluronic acid and firming peptides—to (gently!) stimulate collagen.
THE GOAL: Wrinkle-Free Skin
P.M. ROUTINE: Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel, $35; $35; peterthomasroth.com. Nia 24 Intensive Retinol Repair, $130; nia24.com.
