Believe it or not, your skin says a lot about your health. Plus, it can help – or hurt – your confidence about your looks. Are you sick of looking in the mirror and seeing dull skin that seemingly lost the glow it had before? Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to enhance your natural glow and enjoy radiant skin no matter your age.
We’ve researched how to get glowing skin, so you don’t have to! With this newfound knowledge and a little patience, you’ll be on your way to beautiful skin in no time. Consider implementing the following steps into your skincare routine.
Maintain a Diet that is Healthy for Your Skin
Eating a healthy diet is essential for healthy skin and should be part of everyone’s skincare routine. Antioxidants are natural substances that neutralize free radicals (from your environment or your own body), safeguarding your skin from potential damage.
Antioxidant-rich foods are filled with vitamins like A, C, E, and beta-carotene, which, if consumed regularly, can help you achieve that dazzling glow you’ve been looking for. Many fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants. Consider adding the following to your diet:
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Beans and lentils
- Spinach, kale, collards, broccoli, and other dark and leafy green vegetables
- Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and other types of nuts
- Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and other types of berries
- Salmon, herring, mackerel, and other fatty fish
Steer clear from processed foods, dairy products, and foods with high sugar and unhealthy fat content, as these can stimulate the skin aging process (and honestly, just aren’t good for you overall).
Stay Hydrated
As you probably already know, water is a key nutrient for bodily wellness. But did you know that it also plays a critical role in giving your skin that gorgeous, natural glow? H20 is an all-natural moisturizer that nourishes your body’s cells, improves skin elasticity, and flushes out various toxins lurking in the skin and other places in the body.
We often forget that our skin is an organ that needs water to function properly and look good. If you don’t drink enough water, your skin will tell you by appearing dry, dull, and flakey. Not only that, but a lack of hydration can result in more wrinkles later on (and no one wants that).
Focus on adequate hydration by trying to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. You may not see a difference overnight, but with a little patience, you’ll most likely start to see results in a couple of weeks.
Cleanse Your Skin Regularly
One of the best things you can do for your skin is to clean it daily. You need to remove dirt, grime, excess oil, makeup, and other contaminants from your skin to reveal the true beauty underneath. And this isn’t just a quick face wipe before heading off to bed; it’s a thorough, in-depth cleansing process.
Cleansing should be the first step in your routine, as it prepares your face and creates a blank slate for additional skincare products. Regular facial cleansing can prevent clogged pores, which, if left clogged, can lead to painful, irritating, and unattractive acne. And not only that, but it feels fantastic too!
Do you have dry skin or oily skin? Or maybe you have sensitive skin. Whatever your situation, try to find a cleanser that works well with your particular skin type. We recommend cleansing once in the morning and once at night to keep your skin squeaky clean and shining bright.
Avoid cleansing more than twice per day, as this can strip your face of its natural (and necessary) oils. Also, examine your cleanser’s label to ensure that you’re not putting any harsh chemicals, parabens, fragrances, sulfates, or phthalates on your face. These are harmful to your skin and the rest of your body.
Use Toner
Our skin has its own naturally acidic PH level (usually around 4.7), which can change based on environmental factors or even after a deep cleansing or scrubbing session. Facial toner is a substance designed to balance your skin’s PH levels, reduce redness, and produce softer and smoother skin.
During cleansing, you may miss a few spots of makeup or dirt. Using a toner can also help you wipe up any remaining particles (which can prevent your pores from clogging and causing a future breakout). It can also enhance your skin’s ability to absorb your moisturizer or any other products you plan to use as part of your skincare routine.
Apply your toner immediately after you’re done cleansing. Simply grab a cotton pad or cloth, squeeze some toner onto it, and gently rub your face. Some toners are formulated to treat dark spots. However, you can also use a natural brightening agent like vitamin C or vitamin B3 to significantly reduce (if not eliminate) the appearance of these pesky spots. You can also find these pigment-enhancing ingredients in many different cleansers and moisturizers.
Again, make sure to buy a toner that fits your skin type, whether you have oily, sensitive, or dry skin. We suggest avoiding alcohol-based toners at all costs, as they tend to dry out the skin and lead to irritation and discomfort.
Use Moisturizing Lotion
If you want soft, smooth, and supple skin, you’re going to have to moisturize regularly. That’s why it’s essential to purchase a quality moisturizer and be disciplined in applying it at least twice per day. Your moisturizing lotion should be the third step in your routine.
Daily moisturizing can do wonders for the skin, preventing acne and reducing redness while also removing dry, dead skin cells from the surface. It also replaces your skin’s essential oils, adds a protective skin barrier to the top of your skin (which can prevent penetration and damage from environmental toxins), and slows down the aging process. It can even calm and control certain itchy and dry skin conditions like eczema.
Overall, moisturizing offers countless benefits, but most of all, it’ll make your skin feel amazing! Moisturizers with natural ingredients such as raw shea butter, almond oil, green tea, vitamin E, and coconut oil are popular options that can give your skin a youthful glow.
Quit Bad Habits
If you desire a healthy glow, you’ll need to leave some bad habits behind. Smoking and alcohol use are two of the most skin-damaging substances, leading to accelerated aging and sometimes even cancer.
The toxins and free radicals in tobacco harm collagen and elastin, which gives the skin its elasticity and softness. It can also cause sagging skin, skin stains, and a variety of skin diseases. As a result, people who choose to smoke can look forward to increased wrinkles and an older, dull-looking appearance.
On the other hand, alcohol dehydrates your body, which (as previously mentioned above) is not suitable for your skin. Drinking alcohol can also cause inflammation within the body, which usually causes a flushed or puffy face. If you continue to drink heavily, this redness and puffiness can become permanent. Regular alcohol use can also disrupt your hormones and cause breakouts.
Gorgeous skin shouldn’t be the only reason why you quit. Heavy alcohol and tobacco use hurts your overall health. Do your body a favor and kick your bad habits.
Wear Sunscreen
Yes, it’s possible to get a sun-kissed glow, but at what cost? Consistent time in the sun without a natural sunscreen can cause sun damage that can make your skin look old, wrinkly, and unhealthy over time. And if you’re not careful, too much sun exposure can also cause life-threatening skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. That’s why wearing protective sunscreen is an absolute must whenever you know you’re going to be outside under the UV rays.
Aloe vera gel can help lessen the redness and dryness and ease your discomfort after a sunburn. It’s also a great skincare product to your skincare routine, as it’s a natural skin hydrator, an antibacterial substance that kills off acne-causing bacteria, and an anti-aging product. You can even use it as a natural makeup remover if you feel so inclined!
Exfoliate Your Skin
One of the main reasons you have dull skin is that dead skin cells have built up on your face. You must remove this dead skin before you can unearth a fresh, glowing layer of skin. Exfoliation is the process of clearing away dead skin cells from the skin’s outer layer.
Exfoliation can be done in both mechanical and chemical ways and depends on your specific skin type. Remember to pay attention to your skin and how it reacts to certain products and processes. Exfoliation may not be for everyone. Those with certain skin conditions like cystic acne and rosacea may want to check with their dermatologist before trying this out, as it can lead to increased redness and irritation.
One physical way to exfoliate your skin is to apply a special, naturally exfoliating facial scrub by rubbing onto the face in a circular motion and washing off with warm water. You can also use exfoliating brushes, sponges, and gloves, depending on your preference. Some of these items are used explicitly for dry brushing, but if you’re not a fan of that, you can find many others that can be used with a cleanser.
Another option is to get a chemical face peel to remove dead skin and achieve that glowy look. Two of the most popular types of face peels include alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs).
AHAs are often used to reduce the appearance of age spots, scars, and hyperpigmentation, shrink pores, even out fine lines and wrinkles, and correct skin tone. They use chemicals like glycolic and lactic acids. BHAs are typically used for those with acne-prone and sun-damaged skin and include chemicals such as salicylic acid and citric acid.
Work Up a Sweat
Chances are, you’ve probably never considered sweating a good thing. The pit stains and sweaty back marks have taught you that it’s gross and unattractive. However, what if we told you that you needed to do more sweating to gain a youthful glow and flawless complexion?
Participating in regular exercise (types that successfully work up a sweat) may be the one thing standing in the way of you and healthy skin. Physical activity improved blood circulation throughout your body, resulting in nourished skin cells. The act of sweating actually releases toxins from your skin and the rest of you.
Exercising is also an excellent and natural stress reliever, making it the perfect go-to activity when you’re feeling overwhelmed. And when your cortisol levels are down, your skin will benefit. No matter if you like to rock climb, bike, run, play tennis, or dance in a Zumba class, pick a few of your heart-pumping activities and get moving! Your newly dewy skin will thank you.
Get Enough Sleep
We all know that sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. A good night’s rest rejuvenates us and allows our body to rest so it can face the next day with energy and confidence. It’s also the time when our cells are in full cell turnover mode, collagen production is at an all-time high, and human growth hormone (HGH) is repairing your damaged skin cells and manufacturing new ones.
Without the proper amount of sleep (usually 7-8 hours each night), you won’t have as much collagen available. When you don’t sleep, the antioxidants produced in your body will not battle toxins, and your skin will suffer the aftereffects.
The morning after a bad night of sleep, you may start to notice swollen and puffy-looking eyes and dark circles underneath them. Eventually, a lack of quality sleep will lead to more fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. And not to mention a decrease in energy levels.
To ward off eye puffiness and wrinkles, we recommend using an eye cream with hyaluronic acid. This acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin that gives it that plump and hydrated appearance everyone’s after.
Get a Facial Massage
We all love massages. You feel like a brand new person afterward, fully refreshed and rejuvenated with a fabulous complexion. But have you ever thought about getting one for your face? Your face needs some TLC, too, just like your back, neck, and other frequently massaged areas. A facial massage could be a critical next step in your journey to a healthy glow.
You can massage your own face on a regular basis or visit a professional. This technique offers countless benefits, including slowing the aging process, reducing and preventing wrinkle formation, relieving sinus pressure, reducing acne and scars’ appearance, and increasing blood circulation.
Visit a Dermatologist
If you’re having skin troubles and can’t seem to figure out how to get glowing skin on your own, we recommend seeking advice from a professional. After all, their life’s work revolves around skin! They are experts who want to share their knowledge with their patients. But you can’t learn if you don’t ask.
Your local dermatologist can fill you in on the tips and tricks you need to find your healthy-looking glow. Don’t hesitate to schedule a regular appointment with them, especially if you’re suffering from cystic acne, psoriasis, or another skin condition. Their job is to recommend the highest quality and most effective skincare products and lead you to a glowing complexion.
Routine appointments can help you acknowledge your skin’s progress and ensure that you’re caring for it properly. And before you know it, you’ll be glowing.
