If you feel like your highlighter has been letting you down, the truth is that makeup can only do so much to enhance your natural glow. If you’re looking to get a natural glow all over your face and body, it starts with a solid skincare routine and some lifestyle changes, not what foundation you’re wearing. Here’s how to make your face glow:
Skincare For Glowing Skin
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Skincare is a major contributing factor to making your skin glow. If you’re looking to give your skincare routine a boost, here are six things you should be incorporating into your skincare routine:
Cleanse Your Face First
Old makeup, sweat, and dirt will leave your face dull and parched, not glowing. Removing these impurities from your face is the first step to a facial glow. Start with a makeup remover such as a cleansing oil or cleansing balm that removes makeup as well as sunscreen. Then follow it up with a gentle yet effective facial cleanser that leaves your skin clean and fresh.
Experiment with Exfoliators
Chemical exfoliators help to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing you to easily wash away dull, flaky patches. Most people need to exfoliate between 1-3 times a week to maintain glowing skin, depending on the season as well as their skin type. This shouldn’t be confined to your face, either: Using an exfoliating body wash will make you glow from head to toe.
Apply Vitamin C Serums
Vitamin C is known for its brightening effects, which is why it’s one of our favorite skincare ingredients for maining a facial glow. For best results, apply your brightening serum in the morning to get antioxidant protection from free radicals like pollution and UV rays. Vitamin C can be a bit drying for some people, so be sure to follow it up with a moisturizer.
Moisturize Your Skin
Face moisturizers help to prevent water loss and to replenish the natural oils in your skin. Without a moisturizer, your skin will become dull and hydrated, making this an essential part of any skincare routine for glowing skin. Choose a lightweight gel moisturizer if you have oily skin, a midweight lotion if you have normal or combination skin, and a heavy cream if you have very dry skin. For best results, moisturize both your face and body as soon as you get out of the shower to lock in the water and maintain your glowing skin.
Use Sun Protection
Sun exposure may give the appearance of bronzed skin, but it will actually dry out your skin and potentially cause peeling and dry patches — not to mention that it also contributes to wrinkles and premature aging. Wearing a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 everyday will protect your skin from sun damage and maintain your natural glow. If you must look tan, try a sunless tanner at home or in the salon instead of lying out in the sun for hours. You’ll get an instant bronze look without having to fry your skin to a crisp.
Try Out Shaving Products
Shaving actually has an exfoliating effect on your skin because the motion of the razor scraps off the top layer of dead skin cells along with the hairs. Whether you shave your body or your face, don’t do it on the same day as another exfoliating product, which can potentially irritate your skin. Instead, end your shave with a gentle cleanser and a soothing moisturizer that will enhance the effects of your newly glowing skin.
Lifestyle Changes For Glowing Skin
Besides incorporating skincare products into your daily routine, you can also make some lifestyle changes to promote glowing skin. Here are top tips for glowing skin:
Drink Plenty Of Water
If you’re dehydrated from the inside out, then piling on glowing skin products won’t have as much of an impact. Make sure that you’re drinking enough water each day and also avoiding excessive consumption of dehydrating beverages such as caffeine and alcohol. If you aren’t motivated to drink plain water, dry switching to herbal tea or infusing cold water with fruits and vegetables to give it some flavor.
Eat a Healthy Diet
There’s a lot of truth in the phrase “you are what you eat,” especially when it comes to your skin’s appearance. To get glowing skin, prioritize superfoods that are rich in antioxidants, such as fatty fish, avocados, walnuts, carrots, sunflower seeds, and more. As for the rest of your diet, try to avoid processed foods that are high in sugar and sodium and thus contribute to inflammation. Instead, focus on lean proteins, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise increases your blood flow, temporarily giving your complexion a glow and also increasing the oxygen and nutrients that are flowing towards your skin. Exercise will also contribute to better sleep, which is another tip for glowing skin (see the next section). Just be sure to wash off right after exercising; if you let the sweat sit on your skin, it can lead to clogged pores and a duller complexion.
Get Plenty Of Sleep
Even just one night of bad sleep can make your skin look tired and dehydrated, while chronic sleep deprivation will definitely wreak havoc on your glowing complexion. Make sure that you’re getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night, and more if you need it. Practice good habits that promote better sleep, such as waking up and going to sleep at the same time each day, on both weeknights and weekends.
What are your top tips for glowing skin? From skincare product recommendations to lifestyle changes, we want to hear all your best suggestions in the comments below!
