How to Get Glowing Skin in 12 Steps

A dewy, fresh complexion is the skincare holy grail. That’s because healthy skin has an undeniable glow, that we correlate with beauty and wellness.

12 Steps to Glowing Skin

Radiant, clear skin is the result of effective products, practice, and patience. These twelve tips will help you transform your skin from dull and tired to luminous and glowing. Read ahead for all the glowy skincare goodness!

1. Cleanse regularly 

Comfortable cleansing removes surface residue without requiring an oil-free finish. Choose a facial cleanser suited to your skin.

Use light fingertip contact and adapt the schedule to your needs. The face-washing guide explains technique, while the frequency guide covers mornings and evenings.

9 tips to properly wash your face

1. At the bare minimum, wash your face every night.
2. Adapt morning cleansing to residue and tolerance; see washing frequency.
3. Use lukewarm water.
4. Make sure you’re using a cleanser that’s right for your skin type.
5. Only wash and exfoliate your face as often as you have to.
6. Use your moisturizer quickly after cleansing.
7. Try not to scrub or lather too aggressively.
8. You may need a makeup remover in addition to your cleanser.
9. A wipe is one removal option; assess the product directions, remaining residue and skin comfort before adding another step.

2. Never sleep in your makeup

Make evening removal manageable with a product that suits your makeup. Repeated harsh wiping is not the goal. See makeup-removal options.

3. Sleep well

There’s actual science to back the old saying “get your beauty sleep”. Your skin cells regenerate while you snooze. And poor sleep can lead to stress hormones that trigger skin conditions such as acne or psoriasis.

Keep a consistent sleep routine. An optional moisturizing mask may leave the surface feeling softer, but it is not a substitute for sleep or proof of accelerated skin repair. Use the glow-mask buying guide for the cosmetic finish decision.

4. Consider optional exfoliation

Exfoliation can improve some surface roughness, but it is optional and may irritate. Do not add a daily acid or scrub simply to pursue glow. See exfoliation benefits and limits.

How to Exfoliate 

There are different methods used to exfoliate the skin. Facial scrubs and brushes are forms or physical exfoliation. Acids and enzymes are forms of chemical exfoliation.

Physical Exfoliation

• Exfoliating scrub

An exfoliating scrub can be applied directly to your skin using gentle, circular motions. Rinse with warm water after applying the scrub.

• Exfoliating brush

A cleansing brush adds friction and is not needed for routine face washing. Avoid it on irritated skin; gentle fingertips are usually a better starting point.

Chemical Exfoliation

• Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)

Examples of AHAs include glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids. AHAs work by breaking apart bonds holding dull and dead skin cells on your skin’s surface. This causes your skin to naturally shed the dead cells.

• Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs)

Examples of BHAs include beta-hydroxy and salicylic acid. These are best for oily or acne-prone skin.

5. Drink lots of water

Adequate hydration is crucial to your health, and that includes your skin. When your skin is well-hydrated, it looks healthier and more vibrant and is less prone to wrinkles. We recommend drinking six to eight glasses of water a day. You may need more or less depending on your activity level. Not a fan of plain water? Try this berry-infused water for added health benefits.

Berry-infused Water

Ingredients

• Handful of blueberries
• Handful of strawberries
• Handful of raspberries
• Handful of blackberries
• Sprig of mint
• Chilled water

Instructions

1. Slice the strawberries, but keep the raspberries, blackberries and blueberries whole.
2. Separate the leaves of mint.
3. Place all the berries and mint in a glass bottle.
4. Muddle the fruit lightly with a spoon to release the flavors.
5. Add water and cover,
6. Refrigerate and let sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight

6. Consider eye-area moisture

A separate eye cream is optional. Use a suitable moisturizer or eye formula according to its directions, without automatically covering the upper eyelid. The eye-cream application guide explains amount, placement and layering.

Use gentle pressure and the directed amount. Apply to the mobile eyelid only if the specific formula permits it.

7. Use SPF

Applying sunscreen every single day is arguably the most important step in your skincare routine.  A sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 25 or higher both protects your skin from harmful UV rays and shields it from environmental aggressors that can age your skin faster. Plus, up to 90% of the visible signs of aging are caused by sun exposure. 

Tips for Staying Safe in the Sun

1. Wear protective clothing. Hats with wide brims not only cover your face, but they also protect other easy-to-forget spots like your ears and your scalp.
2. Wear sunglasses. Sunglasses shield your eyes from UV rays that can cause eye problems, like cataracts.
3. Limit your time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. That's when the sun's rays are at their strongest. Plan your outdoor activities early in the morning or later in the afternoon. 
4. Use sunscreen and use it right. UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Use sunscreen on every part of your body that will be exposed to the sun at least 15 minutes before going outside, even if it's cloudy out. And reapply every two hours.
5. Just say no to tanning beds. Tanning beds, tanning booths, and sunlamps expose you to intense UV radiation. This increases your risk of skin cancer and skin damage.
6. Get to know your skin. Skin cancer is easier to treat when caught early, so watch for changes in your skin.

8. Keep your skin moisturized

Moisturizing is the key to dewy, glowing skin. A good moisturizer should be the foundation of your skincare routine. A lack of hydration equals a lackluster complexion and even accentuates wrinkles.

Applying moisturizer twice a day will help to maintain your skin’s barrier. Apply a daily moisturizer in the morning after washing your face and reach for an anti-aging night cream before bed.

If you’re experiencing dryness and dullness, a boost of hydration will bring back your glow almost immediately. This protects your skin from pollution, leaving it firm and well-moisturized.

9. Load up on leafy greens and antioxidants

What you eat directly affects your skin's glow. Antioxidant-rich foods like grapes, berries, pecans, and walnuts, have been linked with combatting free radicals. And leafy greens like spinach and kale are packed with powerful multivitamins for your skin. These antioxidants and vitamins protect your skin cells from UV damage and stimulate lymphatic drainage reducing any puffiness on your face. Incorporating these foods into your diet daily can transform your skin in a matter of days. Try replacing your morning coffee with this simple antioxidant-rich green juice.

Antiox Green Juice

Ingredients

• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup ripe pineapple
• 1 ½ orange
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• 2 large handfuls of leafy greens 

Instructions

1. Combine the water, pineapple, orange, chia seeds, and leafy greens in a blender. 
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour in a cup and enjoy.

10. Keep it moving

Ever hear of a post-workout glow? It’s a real thing. Exercise promotes circulation and brings more oxygen to the skin, boosting its glow. And getting your heart rate up boosts the production of a protein that powers skin cells to act younger. Over time, this can make skin look up to 25 years younger. Try to get your heart rate up for at least twenty minutes a few times a week.

11. Use a retinol

Retinol is your instant shortcut to a gorgeous glow. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A. They encourage the skin to speed up its natural turnover process, improving wrinkling and fine lines. Faster cell turnover means more collagen, plumper skin, and smoother texture. Retinol also helps treat sun damage, blemishes, and breakouts.

12. And a vitamin C serum

Ingredients like Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, disrupt the development of pigmentation. Vitamin C brightens the skin by blocking an enzyme that produces pigment production, lightening any dark spots. Daily application of a vitamin C serum can illuminate your complexion over time. Effects can be visible within a few weeks, with optimal glow results in about three months. When it comes to brightening up dark spots and pigmentation issues, glow-inducing vitamin C is your best friend. 

Add these tips into your beauty routine and you’ll be glowing in no time- no filter required!

Cleansing in this routine

Choose the wash for your needs using the facial-cleanser guide. Dermatology guidance recommends gentle fingertip washing and avoiding scrubbing.

Face masks in this routine

Use the face-mask guide to compare formats and the application guide for product-specific timing and removal.