Vive la resolutions

FROM DITCHING YOUR LED MASK TO DECLUTTERING, EXPERTS REVEAL THE SIX BEAUTY TRENDS TO CONSIDER IN THE NEW YEAR. BY LARA OWEN

- BY LARA OWEN

IF 2025 was the year of 12-step routines, ‘morning sheds’ and LED masks, 2026 is shaping up to be simpler and more sophisticated.

Here, leading experts reveal the habits worth adopting for 2026...

Use retinoids properly

You've likely heard of retinoids - the umbrella term for vitamin As which includes milder, over-the-counter retinol and retinals.

Retinoids are integral in improving tone, laxity and skin texture, but experts disagree on how to use them.

"A well-formulated, medical-grade retinoid makes a remarkable difference," says Nottingham-based aesthetics doctor, Dr Jessica Halliley. "Many people run into problems because they use poor-quality formulas, apply them sporadically or start with a strength that overwhelms the skin."

Her advice is to incorporate retinols in small doses, slowly and always in the evening to avoid sun sensitivity.

However, advanced clinical facialist Kate Kerr says: "My approach is to go in fast and hard. If you use it too slowly, you won't get the results and it will take longer to acclimatise to it."

It’s important, however, to understand your individual skin type, and if you're unsure, ask your dermatologist.