In 2025, we’re making the resolution to look and feel our best, but we want to avoid running head-first into a complex new habit only to give up before January is out. To achieve skin, hair, nail, and overall beauty health, sometimes all it takes is one small change to reap big results, so we tapped some of the most knowledgeable beauty and health experts out there to share their easy-to-implement, big payoff beauty tips that could make all the difference.
Apply and Reapply Cuticle Oil to Prolong Your Manicure
Whether you paint your own nails or have a standing appointment at your favorite salon, it would be a shame not to squeeze every last day you can get out of your beautiful mani. “A common mistake is not preserving the life of your manicure with daily application of cuticle oil,” says celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein, who has worked with Lindsay Lohan, Blake Lively, and Shay Mitchell. “Oil every day maintains the strength of the nail while delivering hydration, which promotes flexibility. By maintaining the flexibility, it helps adhesion of the polish or enhancement. Gerstein keeps her favorite cuticle oil on hand at all times, and reapplies it throughout the day. She then layers it with hand cream to lock in the moisture.
Keep Your Lips Bouncy and Youthful With SPF
By now, most of us know that wearing SPF daily is a must. But while we might diligently protect our faces from UV rays, it’s so easy to forget areas such as the ears, the scalp—and the lips. “The lips are a part of the face that get chronic, daily sun exposure and for that reason they are a common site for skin cancer,” warns Serena Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Solano Dermatology and Associates.
Skin protection should be a top priority, but there are also fringe benefits from using an SPF product on your lips daily. A hydrating sunscreen formulated specifically for the lips can help slow down the signs of aging such as wrinkling, deflation, and chronic dryness, plus protect your lips from environmental damage, according to Dr. Mraz. “I prefer a mineral sunscreen product that is non-toxic and simultaneously keeps the lips moisturized with moisturizing ingredients appropriate for the special tissue of the lip such as shea butter and jojoba oil,” the expert says. Reapply throughout the day for soft, bouncy, healthy lips!
Move Quickly Through Your Skincare Routine
When it comes to your skincare routine, it’s not just what you apply that matters, it’s also how you apply it. “Although there are some skincare products that you want to allow to fully absorb into the skin, I always advise my clients to move quickly through their skincare routine to lock in moisture,” says Emme Diane Burg, a licensed esthetician and founder of Emme Diane skincare. “Applying products while the skin is still damp helps seal in hydration and ensures that your skin absorbs your products more effectively.” After cleansing, skip towel drying and let your skin air dry instead, the expert says. Once your skin is just lightly damp, apply the next product in your routine, such as a hydrating serum or cream.
Don’t Neglect Your Neck
In her work, Burg often finds herself reminding clients to give their neck and décolleté as much love as they do their face, because those areas are sensitive and prone to environmental damage. “That means when doing your skincare routine, you should be applying an equal amount of your products to these areas as well—especially when it comes to sunscreen!” Berg reminds us. “Something else to keep in mind here is that you’ll want to proceed with caution when applying strong treatments, like retinols or alpha hydroxy acids, to these areas since the skin tends to be more sensitive.” By taking good care of the skin on your neck and décolleté, you can help prevent the signs of aging, boost hydration, and protect against skin cancer.
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Use Ice Cubes to Reduce Puffiness
Ice rollers are all the rage right now for helping to reduce puffiness, but Berg says you don’t need to invest in specialized tools to reap all the benefits of icing your face daily. “My clients often ask me about different skincare tools, and while some are better than others, one of the best is sitting right in your freezer—ice!” the expert shares. “Icing the skin helps reduce puffiness, minimize redness, and boost circulation to give you an instant glow. But it’s especially great for those who are acne-prone because it helps calm inflammation and expedites the clearing of breakouts.” The best way to incorporate ice into your routine is directly after cleansing, for 30 to 60 seconds, before following up with the rest of your products.
Oil Pull for Fresher Breath
One less glamorous but sure sign of a glow-up in the new year is fresh-smelling breath, and oil pulling is an easy and effective way to get there. “Oil pulling is a holistic practice and a natural way to protect your mouth from plaque and stains without being abrasive or causing damage,” explains Inna Chern, DDS, a general and cosmetic dentist based in Manhattan. All you need for this holistic practice is an oil such as coconut, avocado or sesame. Take a teaspoonful of the oil, “swish the oil in your mouth for a few minutes and then spit it out,” Dr. Chern says.
Oil pulling is also known to help deal with bad breath. For those who struggle with this issue, the expert also reminds us to always stay hydrated, as this can help prevent halitosis (not to mention all the other health benefits of proper hydration).
Get Baby-Smooth Skin With a Pre-Bath Oil Ritual
Many of us are serious about our skin care but keep our body care as an afterthought. Still, wouldn’t it be nice to have baby-soft skin all year long? “Before bathing or showering, lather your body in grape seed oil,” advises dermatological nurse and celebrity aesthetician Natalie Aguilar. “This practice helps prevent transepidermal water loss (especially when bathing with hot water) and protects against the drying effects of water and soaps, leaving your skin supple.” After your bath or shower, apply body lotion followed by some more grape seed oil, and you’ll notice more hydrated skin in the space of days, says Aguilar.
Install a Shower Filter
Depending on water hardness in your area as well as other factors, the water in your shower could be having detrimental effects on your hair and skin health. “Installing a shower filter is a two-in-one beauty hack that I always recommend to my clients because it not only improves the skin but also benefits hair as well—and with minimal effort,” says Burg. “The chemicals commonly found in tap water—like chlorine and heavy metals—can dry out the skin, disrupt your moisture barrier, and even contribute to breakouts or irritation. By installing a shower head that filters these out, you’re alleviating the effects they can have, leaving your skin glowing and your hair soft and silky!” And if a shower filter isn’t for you, Burg says to stick to shorter showers and to use hydrating products including a toner to restore your skin to balance.
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Invest in Silk Everything for Healthy Hair
Tiffanie Richards, master colorist at Louise O’Connor Salon in NYC, lives by the following mantra for anything that comes close to your hair: “If they make it in silk, buy it.” Richards explains, “The benefits are endless. Less breakage, less frizz, more moisture maintained in hair.”
Richards cites silk scrunchies in particular, which she says are less likely to cause breakage, while Burg recommends switching to a silk pillowcase for the sake of both your hair and your skin. “It’s much gentler on the skin, reducing friction that can lead to premature aging and frizzy hair,” she says. “Silk is also less absorbent than cotton, which helps your skin retain moisture overnight. And since it doesn’t absorb as much oil and bacteria as cotton, it also reduces the risk of breakouts.” Just make sure to wash your pillowcases often to further reduce the risk of breakouts.
Oil Your Ends to Avoid Drying Them Out
The practice of scalp oiling is becoming more widespread and comes with a host of benefits for hair health, but Richards wants more people to know about oiling the ends of your hair before shampooing. “This puts a layer between the cleansing agents and your sensitive ends,” which “protects them by being able to be cleansed while maintaining moisture,” she says, explaining that this method is ideal for those with dry ends or highlighted hair. However, she cautions against oiling your ends for “those who have their hair colored red or are wearing glosses for specific tones.”
Repurpose Apple Cider Vinegar for Healthy Hair and Skin
You gotta love a pantry essential-based beauty hack, and ACV is the ultimate Swiss army knife of health heroes. Richards explains that the vinegar is amazing for both your hair and your skin, helping to moisturize and restore the pH balance of both. “If your hair is extra frizzy this will be perfect for you,” she says. “You can dilute it with water and natural oils if the smell bothers you. Apply to wet or dry hair, leave for about 5 minutes and rinse out. This will result in healthy, shiny hair.” For the face, Richard says, you should dilute the vinegar and apply it like a toner to help minimize enlarged pores, or dab it on a pimple to “dry it out from the inside out while maintaining the natural moisture in your skin.”
Take Sea Moss Gel for Stronger Hair and Glowy Skin
“A beauty tip I love is taking a spoonful of sea moss gel every morning,” says Raven Hurtado, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “Not only does it provide minerals and glowy skin, it also improves a healthy scalp and provides shiny stronger hair.” Sea moss, also known as Irish seaweed or red seaweed, is thought to bring many health benefits thanks to its nutritional profile. In particular, it’s high in beta-carotene (which can help protect the skin against sun damage), and vitamins A, C, and E (all of which are known to promote skin health). With that said, more research is needed to establish the role of ingesting sea moss in maintaining healthy hair and skin.
Achieve Hydrated Skin From the Inside With Electrolytes
We all know how important it is to stay hydrated, but this actually isn’t all about how much water you’re drinking. “Focus on a well-rounded hydration strategy by incorporating water, electrolytes, and omega fatty acids,” says Aguilar. “When it comes to hydration, plain water is essential, but adding electrolytes can enhance your hydration strategy. Electrolytes—such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium—play a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance in the body.” She recommends adding electrolyte powder to your water, and taking an omega 3 supplement daily to help maintain your skin barrier and achieve glowy, healthy skin.
Stay on Top of Your Supplement Regimen
Between podcast commercials, Instagram targeted ads and influencer content, it’s easy to believe you need to take the latest, hippest supplement on the market to be your healthiest. But nutrition and health are deeply individual, and this may not be the best approach. “Instead of starting a new trending multivitamin, consult your physician for a yearly physical and blood tests,” says Aguilar. “Understanding your vitamin and hormone levels allows for tailored supplementation that meets your specific health needs. A healthy body is the base for good hair, skin and nails.”
Eat More Prunes
Yes, you read that correctly. What you eat (and drink) directly affects your skin health. A healthy gut equals healthy skin, so load up on those nutrient-dense foods. Fiber-rich prunes don’t tend to get as much air time as a superfood as do kale, avocados, and chia seeds, but that doesn’t mean you should discount the humble dried plum. “Prunes help boost gut health by encouraging the growth of bacteria that fights inflammation,” says Frances Largeman-Roth, RD, a nutrition expert and author of Everyday Snack Tray. “Plus, prunes contain vitamin K, which is part of the bone building complex. Eating 5 to 6 prunes daily helps preserve bone strength and prevent bone loss.” A tasty win-win.
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