The start of a new year is the perfect time to step up our skincare habits. I asked Tina Alster, MD, director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery to nominate the five most skin-improving beauty resolutions for 2016.

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Spend More Time in Bed

Sleep is one of the most important gifts we can give our skin. "Resting encourages skin to restore and repair. Anti-aging activity occurs while you sleep-multitasking was never easier!" Alster says.Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can exacerbate chronic skin conditions and even accelerate skin aging. We need sufficient sleep to repair the cutaneous insults we encounter daily.

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But First...Wash Your Face

It's no surprise that sleeping in makeup can cause bacterial infections and clogged pores, making acne worse. But too much of a good thing (washing) can be just as problematic. Alster cautions against over-exfoliating the skin, which can lead to dryness and "microcuts," which allow bacteria to enter and encourage more acne. Keep your phone clean too, Alster advises, as "dirt build up can transfer to your face, and wash after a workout to prevent breakouts.

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Skip Samples

"Oversampling can lead to skin irritation and redness," Alster says. Some products may have fragrances or other ingredients that can bring on irritation or even an allergic reaction. This can be remedied as dermatologists have a test that evaluates your response to the most common allergens. Once the culprit is identified, your dermatologist can help tailor your skin care based on your individual results.

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Quit Social Smoking

Even occasional smoking can discolor the skin, teeth, and nails, and cause premature wrinkles and cancer. Research has substantiated these negative effects, which also include poor wound healing. Yo-yo dieting is also something to avoid because repeated weight loss and gain can cause stretching of the skin producing stretch marks and even sagging skin.

Wear Sunscreen

One of the most important daily skincare habits to adopt is wearing sunscreen, regardless of the weather. Regular sunscreen use has been proven to prevent melanoma and other skin cancers. A recent study conducted in Australia confirmed the benefits of sunscreen use by showing participants using sunscreen had 50 percent fewer melanomas. Not only does sunscreen prevent skin cancer, but it also helps prevent premature wrinkles and textural abnormalities as well as unwanted brown and red spots.

Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae, MD is a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center and an associate at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center New York

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