How to Get Glowing Skin in 8 Easy Steps

As skin-care enthusiasts, one of our personal life goals is to achieve healthy, dewy and radiant-looking skin. But between seasonal transitions, daily stress and environmental aggressors, our skin can often appear dull and lackluster. To help reverse some of these unwanted side effects, try following some of these key skin-care tips.

TIP 1: Protect Against UV Rays

UV rays can cause everything from sunburns to fine lines and dark spots, so wearing SPF year-round is necessary to avoid sun damage and maintain your skin’s glow. Be sure to apply broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher every single day and reapply as suggested. We love moisturizers and day creams that are infused with SPF like the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30. 

TIP 2: Take Lukewarm Showers

Don’t get us wrong, we love hot showers — especially as the weather gets colder. But did you know that frequent exposure to hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause a dull-looking and dry complexion? The American Skin Association suggests turning down the heat and using lukewarm water in order to avoid the drying effects. As soon as you get out of the shower, gently pat yourself dry and apply a moisturizer while skin is still damp to help keep it hydrated. 

TIP 3: Maintain a Healthy Diet

Believe it or not, it’s as important to focus on what you’re putting in your body as what you’re layering on it. A well-rounded diet, rich in antioxidants, omega-3s and other healthy fats — like those found in avocados and nuts — will not only help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, but can also have a positive effect on the appearance of your skin. Also, make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and plump from the inside out. 

TIP 4: Exfoliate Your Skin

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, removing the top layer of dead skin cells can make your skin look brighter and more radiant. Depending on your preference and skin type, you can choose between exfoliating scrubs to manually remove dead skin, like the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser, or chemically dissolve the build up with products that use skin-care acids, like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum.

Tip 5: Use a Serum

Serums not only help with giving your skin a radiant sheen, but they can also target specific skin issues. Consider adding a vitamin C serum into your routine for its ability to even out the skin tone and brighten your complexion. The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and dullness. 

Tip 6: Fix Your Sleep Schedule

A bad sleep schedule has been proven to not only dull the look of your skin but also to increase signs of aging and diminish the skin’s barrier function. Avoid tired-looking skin and signs of premature aging by ensuring you’re getting six to eight hours of sleep every night. 

Tip 7: Care for Your Skin’s Microbiome

Did you know that your skin is covered in trillions of microscopic bacteria? Your skin’s microbiome is home to “good” bacteria that are friendly and actually support skin health. According to board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant Dr. Whitney Bowe, it’s imperative that you take care of this bacteria and your skin’s microbiome in order to achieve skin that glows from the inside out and the outside in.

Dr. Bowe’s first piece of advice is to eat a balanced diet. “You want to cut out things that have excess refined carbs and sugars in them,” she says. “Processed, packaged foods are usually not very skin friendly.” Her second piece of advice is to not scrub too hard while cleansing or use excessively harsh products. “If your skin feels really tight, dry and squeaky clean after cleansing, it probably means that you’re killing off some of that good bacteria,” she warns. And lastly, Dr. Bowe recommends using products formulated with prebiotics, which can actually feed the bacteria on the skin and create a healthy microbiome.

Try the La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+, which is a body moisturizer for dry skin and features the brand’s prebiotic thermal water, moisturizing shea butter and glycerin, and brightening niacinamide.

Tip 8: Use Highlighter

Use a highlighter to give your skin an immediate glow in a few swipes. Just be sure not to use a formula that’s too glittery. Opt for one that offers more of a healthy, natural-looking sheen like the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand. It’s a creamy formula that melts into the skin and gives a true lit-from-within glow.

 

Photo: Jonet Williamson

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