Who wouldn’t want glowy skin? It’s everyone’s dream to have a healthy and radiant complexion, but we often forget the significant components that are key to healthy-looking skin. Causes such as lack of sleep, stress, aging, and what we eat can rob our skin of that radiance. The good news is that you can transform your dull and tired to luminous and glowing skin!
1. Cleanse regularly (and fully!)
Clearing your “canvas” by thoroughly removing debris like dirt, oil, and pollution particles can clog pores and cause dullness. Wash your face each morning and night by massaging in a small dollop of face cleanser lightly with fingers in circular motions, working from the inside of the face out for full coverage. Gently cleanses, exfoliates, and tones your skin while moisturizing.
2. Exfoliate
One of the best ways to brighten skin and boost its glow both immediately and long term is by exfoliating. The process removes the skin’s outer layer of dead cells, so its surface is smoother and clearer and reflects light. Apply either a physical exfoliant, like a scrub two to three times per week or use a chemical exfoliator, such as a face peel. Once pre-week for sensitive skin or dry skin three times maximum for other skin types, she suggests.
3. Look for brightening skincare ingredients
In topical skincare treatments like serums and moisturizers, look for skin “brightening” and “skin tone-evening,” ACTIVE ingredients like:
- Vitamin C, an antioxidant that brightens, protects the skin, and fights hyperpigmentation.
- Sodium Hyaluronate - the so-called “hydration miracle”, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule found in skin, hair, eyes, joints, and nerves that acts as a cushion to promote collagen and elasticity, keeping us looking and feeling young!
Daily application of these star brighteners can illuminate your complexion over time: Effects can be visible within a few weeks, with optimal results in about three months.
4. Hydrate, moisturize and protect
Don't apply moisturizer just once in a while or when your skin feels dry. Lack of hydration makes your complexion dull and even accentuates wrinkles. Apply moisturizer designed for your skin type; daily, morning, and evening. You can not over-moisturize your skin. Yes, you read that right. This is a common misconception, and all skin types need hydration and moisture. Even Oily skin. Try a moisturizer that has non-chemical sun protection build in along with anti-anti aging properties. During summertime or while using retinoids, you will find yourself needing stronger protection. And be sure to shield your skin with hydration and an evening moisturizer before bed. Evening moisturizer doesn’t contain sun protection, but it's richer to deliver more nutrients for your skin while you sleep.
5. Never skip eye cream
It is never too early to start with eye cream. For many years, I’ve been hearing young women talk about the eye cream like it’s not applicable for them yet. Eye Creams help diminish wrinkles, and most importantly, protects the softest skin on our body. The skin around our eyes constantly moves as we blink and squint or even rub our eyes. Now, imagine what does it do to your thin skin. Add eye cream to your routine to help protect and prevent future wrinkles.
6. Love your skin and nourish it with a mask
Masks add an intense boost to our skin to get instant skin-plumping and glow-boosting benefits when skin feels lackluster or before a special event.
7. Give your face a massage
A gentle massage is good for more than relaxing your muscles. Massage your face every day while washing or applying product - the motion increases circulation and gives skin a natural vibrance.
8. Use a subtle skimmer to boost glow
Good news: You can also get a glow in seconds! If you’ve heard a new category of skincare and hybrid makeup products called "glotions," combine makeup or skincare with a highlighter. But you don’t need a whole new product set for it. Add a little highlighter to your foundation, blush, moisturizer, or body lotion, and create your own Glotion. Apply it before makeup or wear it alone for a natural look. Or tap on the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones and underneath the arches of eyebrows, to get a touch of radiance.
9. Eat antioxidant-rich foods
Yes, what you eat can affect your skin's glow. Have you noticed that when you have too many sweets or junk food, your skin gets worse? We are what we eat! Load up on grapes, berries, and nuts like pecans and walnuts, which are rich in polyphenols such as ellagic acid and resveratrol. Preliminary research has linked this type of antioxidant to help protect skin cells from UV damage like hyperpigmentation. Aim to incorporate them into your diet daily in meals, like breakfasts, salads, or desserts, or alone a snack as a snack.
10. Hydrate from the inside out
And don't forget good old H2O. I know this might feel like a no-brainer, but proper hydration is directly related to skin cell regeneration, the key to a glow. Aim for eight to ten cups per day of unsweetened drinks like water (including sparking or fruit-infused), tea, and coffee.
11. Find time for yourself
In the busy world we live in, we often forget to take time and take care of ourselves. Keep in mind, in order to help and take care of others, we need to take care of ourselves first.
Sara was born and raised in the Czech Republic. In 2012, she moved to the US and worked many jobs but never felt fulfilled, which lead her to share her story and her passion for fitness (former fitness professional), nutrition tips (vegan) and makeup. She is also a new mom. Sara and her husband welcomed their baby boy in June 2020.
Sara is a makeup junkie at heart and decided to start her own business to help women look and feel their best. She loves supporting other business moms feel beautiful inside and out as they work to create their own destinies.
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