10 Healthy Habits I'm Taking Into 2026 – Plus My Simple Beef Tallow Skincare Routine

A new year always makes people want to overhaul everything.

I'm not into that.

I'm into small habits you can keep—the kind that support your energy, your peace, and yes… your skin. As a holistic RN (and the woman behind Kheyleve), I've learned this: when you support your body with simple choices, your skin often follows.

Handcrafted with care by a holistic RN who believes that truly healthy skin starts with pure, time-tested ingredients.

And for the record—beef tallow for skin is one of those old-school, common-sense tools I love because it supports the moisture barrier without overcomplicating things.

Let's talk about 10 doable habits I'm carrying into 2026.

1. Drink Water Like It's Your Job (Especially in Winter)

Hydration helps everything function better—from energy to digestion to how "tight" your skin feels this time of year. Start with a glass of water first thing, and keep a bottle nearby so it's not a constant decision.

RN tip: Water works best as a team sport—hydrate + seal it in. After bathing, apply your natural moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp to help keep your skin barrier comfortable.

2. Eat More "Real Food" (Ancestral Style)

You don't need complicated nutrition rules. You need food your body recognizes.

I lean toward ancestral eating—simple, nutrient-dense foods, fewer ingredients, less processed stuff. Whether you're keto-curious, carnivore-ish, or just trying to clean things up, the goal is the same: less noise, more nourishment.

That same mindset is what inspired Kheyleve in the first place—simple, time-tested ingredients that make sense.

3. Move Every Day—Even If It's Just a Walk

Consistency beats intensity. Every time.

A walk counts. Strength training counts. Stretching counts. What matters is that you move your body on purpose.

My favorite practice? Walking + prayer. It's my reset button—mind, body, and spirit all in the same lane.

4. Keep a Simple, Consistent Skincare Routine

If your skin is sensitive, acne-prone, or easily irritated, the best routine is usually the one that's simple and repeatable.

Morning basics

• Rinse face with water
• Toner
• Moisturize
• SPF

Evening basics

• Cleanse gently
• Toner
• Serum or beauty oil (if your skin likes it)
• Moisturize (slightly richer layer, if needed)

This is the same approach I use in my own beef tallow skincare routine—simple, consistent, and supportive.

A Simple Beef Tallow Skincare Routine for Dry, Sensitive Skin (No 12-Step Program Required)

If your skin is dry, sensitive, or feeling tight, here's a routine that works well:

Morning

• Rinse with warm water
• Toner
• Serum
• Moisturize (light layer)
• SPF

Evening

• Cleanse
• Toner
• Serum
• Beauty oil 
• Moisturize (richer layer)

LoLo body care (the easy win)

Right after your shower, apply Just LoLo Tallow Body Butter while your skin is still slightly

damp—this helps seal in hydration and keeps your skin feeling comfortable longer.

RN note: Why so many people love grass-fed tallow for skin

• Supports the skin barrier and helps reduce that tight, dry feeling
• Simple ingredient profile (especially helpful if your skin gets cranky)
• Long-lasting moisture—without needing five different products
• A little goes a long way, especially after bathing

Quick note: Everyone's skin is different. If you're very reactive, always patch test and introduce new products slowly.

5. Practice Gratitude (Especially on the Hard Days)

Gratitude isn't pretending everything is perfect. It's re-centering.

There are days when life feels heavy—those are the days I go down what I call "Blessing Lane." I think about my husband, our home, the people God has placed around us, and the fact that I get to do work that helps families.

It doesn't erase the hard stuff… but it steadies me.

6. Set Boundaries With Screens (Your Nervous System Needs It)

Too much screen time messes with sleep, stress, and focus.

Try one simple boundary:

• no scrolling the first 30 minutes of the day
• or a tech-free hour before bed
• or "phone stays out of the bathroom" (that one changes your life, I said what I said)

7. Protect Your Sleep Like You Protect Your Peace

Sleep is where your body repairs—skin included. If you only change one thing this year, make it a calmer nighttime rhythm:

• dim lights
• fewer late-day stimulants
• a simple wind-down routine

If you love a sensory cue, a bedtime skincare ritual is gold. After a shower, apply your moisturizer and let your brain take the hint: we're done for the day.

8. Make Space for Quiet (Prayer, Reflection, or Stillness)

 

Prayer, mindfulness, or just sitting still—quiet is where your nervous system recovers.

Journaling helps me articulate what I’m feeling and decide how I want to respond—calmly, clearly, and with faith. A lot of times I’m simply writing things out and praying as I go. It’s grounding, and it helps my thoughts move again instead of piling up in my head. Twenty minutes and I'm a different person.

9. Choose Clean Ingredients—Especially If You Have Sensitive Skin

What you put on your body matters. If your skin is reactive, keep it simple:

• avoid harsh cleansers
• avoid unnecessary fillers
• be cautious with synthetic fragrance

That's one reason our products are built around straightforward, purposeful formulas using ingredients like grass-fed tallow.

And if you want one easy swap for 2026: switch to a clean, aluminum-free deodorant that actually works. Khey-Fresh Natural Deodorant is made for real life—no irritation, no junk.

10. Stay Connected (Your People Matter)

Community is medicine.

Call a friend. Join a church group. Meet a neighbor for coffee. Get outside with people who help you feel like yourself again.

Your body—and your mind—do better when you're not carrying everything alone.

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"Hydration works best as a team sport—hydrate + seal it in. After bathing, apply your moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp to help keep your skin barrier comfortable."
— Lisa, Holistic RN & Founder of Kheyleve

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Start Here (If You Want Help Choosing the Right Routine)

Healthy living doesn't have to be dramatic. It can be small, steady choices repeated often.

And if you want a routine that matches that same "simple and supportive" approach, I made something for you:

➡️ Take the Skin Care Quiz and let us point you to the best routine for your skin type

It's quick, practical, and it helps you avoid the "buy everything and hope" method. 

 

Lisa Hood, Holistic RN and founder of Kheyleve Naturals, brings over 30 years of expertise in holistic skin care and wellness living. With a deep passion for natural remedies and ancestral traditions, Lisa has dedicated her career to creating non-toxic, tallow-based skincare products that support healthy, vibrant living. Her extensive research in holistic health care and personal experience as a nurse guide her mission to help others heal naturally—both inside and out.

From immune-boosting tips to skincare solutions, Lisa's insights blend science, nature, and practicality to inspire a healthier, more holistic lifestyle.