Reset, Not Reinvent: A Smarter Way to Approach Skincare in January

January is often framed as a time for reinvention.
New routines. New products. New promises.

In skincare, that pressure usually shows up as more steps, stronger actives, and an urge to “fix” everything at once. But skin doesn’t respond well to shock, and it certainly doesn’t need to be reinvented every twelve months.

At MissPalettable, we take a different view.

January isn’t the moment to overhaul your skin.
It’s the moment to RESET.

Why Reinvention Rarely Works for Skin

Most of the concerns people experience in January: sensitivity, dullness, breakouts, tightness, aren’t signs that skin needs more intervention. They’re signs of overstimulation.

December tends to bring heavier routines, more makeup and cleansing, irregular sleep, travel and inconsistent habits.

Layered on top of an already busy skincare routine, the result is often skin that feels unpredictable or “off”.

Reinvention adds more variables.
A reset removes them.

What a Reset Actually Means

A reset is about doing less, deliberately.

In skincare terms, that usually means: simplifying routines, pausing actives, prioritising barrier support and focusing on consistency.

When variables are reduced, skin behaviour becomes easier to read. We are able to assess our routines. This leads to irritation settling and skin becoming calmer. Our routines start becoming manageable and less of a chore. This is how we help our skin gain stability.

Why January Is the Right Time

January offers a natural pause that other months don't offer. There's less social pressures and a quieter rhythm.

That makes it the ideal moment to assess your skin needs, let go of products that don't fit your life anymore and allows you to rebuild routines that work beyond the "perfect" days.

A reset is the most effective when it aligns with real life. 

Skin Responds to Consistency, Not Intensity

One of the biggest misconceptions in skincare is that results come from intensity. In reality skin responds best to routines that are easy to maintain. Products should feel comfortable enough to use regularly and formations should support our skin barrier rather than challenge it.

A routine that works on your busiest day will always outperform one that only works when everything else is going right.

Our Reset Edit

To support this approach, we’ve curated The Reset Edit

The edit is there to remove decision fatigue while you follow along with the reset on our Instagram

Every product included has a purpose within the reset phases, from gentle cleansing to barrier support and calming care.

Use it as a reference point when your routine starts to feel heavy and return to it whenever your skin needs a reset, not a reinvention.