A radiant glow is an indicator of healthy skin. However, factors like age, stress, and sleep patterns, as well as diet, can affect your skin and make your complexion less appealing. Fortunately, you can remove dullness and blemishes to reveal a fabulous complexion with or without makeup. There are several home remedies you can try, as well as tips from skin experts that could help you look your best, whether you’re looking to achieve glowing skin in the next few weeks, days, or even overnight.
Here are some tips for glowing skin you can start adding to your skincare routine today.
Cleanse Your Skin Often
This removes excess oil, dirt, and impurities. Wash your face every morning and evening with a cleanser designed for your skin type. Place the cleanser in your hand and clean your face using circular motions starting from the inside of your face, according to Sabina Wizeman, GH Beauty Lab senior editor.
Don’t Forget to Exfoliate
Wizeman says that exfoliating the skin regularly will give you a bright complexion and make your skin glow. It’s important not to skip this step because it helps make your skin smoother and reflect light naturally. You can use a physical exfoliant up to three times a week, or a chemical exfoliator once a week, to ensure radiant, glowing skin even when not using makeup.
Protection Via Moisturizing
If you want to make your complexion more radiant, try products like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel which is recommended by GH Beauty Lab. When your skin is moisturized, it will easily reflect light and you’ll look more healthy and youthful. Your moisturizer should have an SPF of at least 30 to shield your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Your facial moisturizer should also contain glycolic acid, which gently exfoliates the skin throughout the day.
It’s important that you moisturize your skin regularly and not just when your face or body feels dry. Dr. Jeanie Downie, a dermatologist at Montclair, New Jersey’s Image Dermatology, says that your skin is more likely to develop defined wrinkles and your complexion will be noticeably dull when you’re not getting enough hydration. It’s best to moisturize your skin at least twice a day, immediately after you wash your face.
Research shows that face creams and lotions are usually more effective in hydrating the skin than serums and oils, according to GH Beauty Lab Director Birnur Aral. Aral shares that emulsions are combinations of oils and water that have ingredients that intensely hydrate the top layers of the skin and allow your skin to retain moisture longer. Products like Olay Regnerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, recommended by the Good Housekeeping beauty team, are ideal for hydrating your skin by 50% in a 24-hour period to keep your complexion supple and luminous.
Skin-Brightening Products
Make sure the ingredients in your moisturizers and other skincare products are designed to make your skin look brighter. Ingredients that add intense moisture to the skin, such as coconut or avocado oil, will keep your skin from becoming too dry and protect your complexion from premature aging. You should also make sure that your skincare items contain vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, to make your skin more supple and get rid of hyperpigmentation and age spots. Many of these products will deliver results in about three months.
Use a Face Mask for a Quick Fix
If you want your skin to look more plump and youthful in a matter of minutes, try a face mask. This is an ideal beauty hack for a special event where you want to look your best. Some of the best face masks on the market are the Skin Laundry Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask, a GH Beauty Lab test winner. It boosts your moisture levels by up to 25% in minutes.
Make a Face Mask at Home
You can also make a skincare mask from items in your kitchen, according to celebrity facials expert Joanna Vargas. This natural combination tightens you pores and soothes your skin. Apply a combination of mashed strawberries, yogurt and honey on your face and neck. Leave it on for about five minutes and rinse thoroughly to give your complexion a boost.
Give Yourself a Facial Massage
Massaging your face relaxes the muscles and makes you look more youthful and alert. Dr. Mona Gohara, a Yale School of Medicine dermatologist, suggests doing some upward and downward strokes on the cheeks to see the benefits of a regular facial massage.
Use a Shimmer Lotion
Get an appealing glow in just a few seconds by applying a shimmer lotion to your body. “Glotions” are the new skincare products that mix a highlighter and moisturizer, to make every part of your body more radiant. One of the most recommended Good Housekeeping-recommended shimmer lotions is L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. This product and other formulas like it contain humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to attack moisture to the skin and make your face, arms and legs appear smoother and more supple. These products often contain mica and other milled minerals to reflect light off your skin and give you a natural but noticeable glow.
Eat an Antioxidant-Rich Diet
Your diet has a direct impact on the radiance of your skin. Add more berries and grapes to your diet for an antioxidant boost to protect your skin from signs of premature aging. Also consume walnuts and peanuts, which are filled with polyphenols, to nourish and protect your skin. These foods have antioxidants that protect your skin from UV damage, including hyperpigmentation, according to former GH Nutrition Director Jaclyn London. Have these foods during breakfast or as snacks throughout the day.
Hydrate From the Inside Out
Though several skincare products give your skin a youthful glow, don’t forget to drink enough water. Adequate hydration is directly related to regeneration of skin cells. Consume between eight and 10 glasses of water each day. This includes unsweetened beverages like fruit-infused water, coffee and tea.
Drench Your Skin with Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil can prevent inflammation, and prevent and treat blemishes. Coconut oil usually works well on oily skin, but if you have sensitive or dry skin, test the oil on your forearm for irritation before applying it to your face.
Coconut oil is also a natural makeup remover. You can lather your whole body with it before applying sunblock and spending the day at the beach or near the pool. For the coconut oil to work best as a moisturizer, put a generous amount on your face to get rid of cosmetics and impurities. Let the oil sit on your face for a few minutes then rinse the oil off with the facial cleanser of your choice.
The Power of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera can heal the skin and stimulate the growth of new skin cells. This natural treatment also soothes your skin and provides extra moisture without clogging your pores. Use aloe vera after cleansing your face daily to give your skin an appealing glow. Apply it on your whole body after a bath to heal the skin and prevent sunburn. If you’ve never used aloe vera before, rub a tiny amount of the gel on your forearm and monitor the spot for 24 hours to determine whether or not you’re allergic to it.
Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. It’s important to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s UV radiation. Solar damage can lead to photoaging and increase the chances of skin cancer. So use sunscreen even during the colder months of the year.
Find an Effective Skincare Routine
Don’t strip your skin of moisture by washing it too much. However, cleanse your skin regularly so you won’t give oil and other impurities a chance to settle in your pores. Cleanse your face on waking in the morning and after sweating from a workout. Wash your face before bed to get rid of pollutants and to remove your makeup.
Stay Away from Smoke
When your skin is exposed to cigarette smoke, your face and the skin on your body will receive a toxic coating of chemicals and toxins. This causes you skin to undergo oxidative stress, which can lead to prematurely aged skin. Smoking also dries out the skin. If you’re a smoker, talk to your doctor to come up with ways to quit. It’s also a good idea to stay away from second hand smoke to prevent skin damage.
Take Your Probiotics
Probiotic supplement improve the function of the digestive system and can reduce inflammation and bloating. However, these natural supplements can also contribute to healthy hair and glowing skin according to a 2014 study.
Take Shorter Showers
While you may look forward to a steamy shower first thing in the morning or at the close of the day, using hot water on your skin for long periods of time can dry out your skin and even cause irritation. Cut your showers short to maintain moist and supple skin and use slightly cooler water to maintain healthy moisture levels. Shorter, cooler showers can even boost your immune system.
Make a Dermatologist Appointment
If you have stubborn hyperpigmentation or you’re especially sensitive to the sun or certain skincare products, the dermatologist can provide guidance and prescriptions to improve your skin. Your dermatologist may also recommend laser treatments, microdermabrasion or facial peels to improve the complexion, according to Dr. Pearl E. Grimes, clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA.
Conclusion
Paying attention to your skin is an important aspect of self-care. When you know which products work best for your skin type, and are diligent about tending to your complexion by cleansing regularly and following a healthy diet, you’ll start to see a noticeable difference in the health of your complexion.
If you want to learn more about essential oils on SEEMA.com, check out The Benefits of Essential Oils
