words by Aesthetic Doctor, Dr Christine Or

The New Year is the perfect time to refresh your skincare routine for a more radiant complexion in 2026. Choosing smarter ingredients, building sustainable routines, and supporting skin health from the inside out, are all new skin habits Dr Christine Or recommends for the year ahead, to give you the radiant and glowing complexion that you deserve.

1. Switch to medical grade skincare

Switching to medical grade skincare can reverse early signs of ageing and sun damage such as fine lines and pigmentation. Committing to a consistent skincare routine to repair, protect and regenerate your skin is the first step towards your new 2026 skincare routine.

Repair the skin barrier

Winter weather at the beginning of 2026 and central heating can compromise the skin barrier, leading to dry dehydrated skin, so start your skincare routine with a gentle, soothing cleanser that removes impurities without stripping essential moisture. Follow this with a hydrating serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to draw moisture back and then use a richer, barrier-supporting moisturiser containing ceramides, squalane, or niacinamide to strengthen and soothe the skin whilst protecting it from harsh conditions.

Protect the skin

80% of ageing of the skin is caused by UV light, so using an SPF30 to 50 every day (even when it is cloudy and rainy) is essential to protect the skin from UV rays which are present year-round and play a major role in premature ageing. Your skin is also constantly being damaged by free radical oxygen molecules in the air, so a protective antioxidant such as a vitamin C serum is also non-negotiable.

Regenerate the skin

Retinols and prescription tretinoin increase cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, promote healing of the skin and reduce pigmentation leading to a more youthful and even skin tone with fewer fine lines and less pigmentation. They are the most important anti-ageing cream in your skincare routine and should be used at night only, introduced slowly twice a week to begin with and then gradually used more frequently.

2. Nourish your skin from within with a healthy and nutritional diet

Supporting your skin internally is important for a glowing complexion in 2026. Feeding your skin from within has a profound impact on your skin’s radiance and resilience.

Prioritise anti-inflammatory foods

Chronic inflammation in our body can accelerate skin ageing, so aim to include foods like fatty fish, extra virgin olive oil, berries, leafy greens, and nuts and seeds in your daily diet, to support skin collagen and elasticity from within.

Focus on skin-supportive nutrients

Look for ingredients that have Vitamin C for collagen building and antioxidant protection, Vitamin E which protects cell membranes, Zinc which can help with acne and wound healing, and Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation and reinforce the skin barrier.

Reduce sugar intake and processed foods

Highly processed foods, excessive sugar, alcohol intake, and dairy (for acne-prone individuals) can all lead to inflammation, breakouts and dull skin, so try to reduce these in the new year to help achieve more healthy-looking skin.

Hydration is key

A dehydrated body cannot produce glowing skin, so aim to drink around 2 litres of water daily, electrolytes if you exercise, and green tea for antioxidants and hydration.

Supplements

Supplements can meaningfully enhance skin health, and Dr Christine recommends Skinade, which is a liquid food supplement that helps to support your skin health from within. It contains a unique blend of hydrolysed marine collagen, calcium ascorbate, MSM, vitamin B complex, and vitamin C, all of which are essential for your skin’s hydration, elasticity, and to increase the production of collagen in your skin.

3. Simple lifestyle changes for healthier, younger-looking skin

Lifestyle choices for the new year can either accelerate ageing or protect against it. Dr Christine recommends simple lifestyle hacks for a healthy and glowing complexion in 2026.

Prioritise Quality Sleep

When you have a good night’s sleep, it helps your body and skin to repair and regenerate. When you have poor sleep, this can increase cortisol, leading to breakouts, dull skin and fine lines. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night by sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, avoid blue light at least an hour before bedtime, and ensure your bedroom is cool, dark and comfortable.

Stress Management

Chronic stress breaks down collagen and triggers inflammation, so try to create small daily rituals that can help reduce cortisol and improve skin health. These could be time outdoors in nature, gentle exercise and regular movement such as yoga, swimming and walking, as well as meditation and journalling.

Reduce Environmental Stressors

In today’s modern world our skin faces more pollution and oxidative stress than ever, so simple changes in the new year such as having air purifiers in your home, regularly washing your pillowcases and avoiding smoking or second-hand smoke can all help to counteract the environmental stressors in our daily lives.

4. In-clinic skin booster treatments for a beautiful glow

For an added skin boost in 2026, in-clinic skin booster treatments can help to bring back your glow for 2026. These minimally invasive treatments deeply hydrate and rejuvenate from within, improving elasticity, smoothness, and overall radiance.

Profhilo

Profhilo is an award-winning hyaluronic acid injectable treatment which deeply hydrates, improves skin texture, and stimulates collagen and elastin production. It is particularly effective for improving skin quality on the face, neck, decolletage, backs of hands and upper arms. It works by delivering high concentrations of HA into the skin via 5 injections on each side of the face. This pure hyaluronic acid flows under the skin so it distributes to all areas, giving your complexion a smoother and plumper appearance.

Sunekos

Sunekos is an injectable treatment which combines hyaluronic acid with amino acids (the essential building blocks of elastin and collagen) to regenerate the Extra Cellular Matrix of the skin. Sunekos works from the inside out, boosting natural Elastin and Collagen production deep in the skin, helping to restore its support structure and improving hydration, elasticity, and smoothing of superficial wrinkles. 

Polynucleotides

Polynucleotides utilise injectable chains of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA and RNA, to stimulate cell regeneration and repair. These powerhouses also improve skin hydration, reduce inflammation, and target various skin concerns such as wrinkles, dark circles and uneven skin tone. They are injected into the targeted areas using a fine needle or sometimes a cannula to activate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin, which are crucial for skin elasticity and firmness.

When it comes to skin, 2026 should be the year of simplicity and intentionality. By choosing smart skincare, having a balanced diet, and implementing sustainable lifestyle routines and wellness practices, you can achieve skin that looks radiant, resilient and youthful.