Healthy, radiant skin that literally glows from the inside out is number one on most beauty wishlists. And while good genes do play a role- your lifestyle, product choices and daily habits all have a major impact on your skin. Cell renewal, increased circulation, a good night’s sleep, good nutrition and a thorough skincare routine all contribute to glowing skin. Here are ten tips guaranteed to give you gorgeous glowing skin - no filter required. Follow these steps to get glowing skin!
Never skip washing your face before bed. NEVER! No matter how tired you are. Clogged pores can make the texture of skin look rough and bumpy, triggering imperfections and pimples. WebMD says if you’re not washing before bed you’re losing out on a chance to target problem areas. Use a gentle non-drying cleansing creamto remove make-up, dirt and any other residue stuck to your face after a long day.
It turns out there’s an actual science behind getting your beauty sleep. Not only do your skin cells rejuvenate while you snooze, but poor sleep can lead to increased stress hormones in the body that trigger the severity of inflammatory skin conditions such as acne or psoriasis. Pro tip: adding an overnight mask before bed will boost your skin’s natural toxin elimination process while you sleep, for regenerated skin upon awakening.
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin. The The American Academy of Dermatology says exfoliation can improve your skin’s appearance and make topical treatments more effective. Old dead skin cells can make even the dewiest skin look dull. Exfoliating can help brighten your complexion by sloughing dead cells away and works wonders in keeping your skin clean, better able to receive ingredients applied afterwards.an enzymatic powder is great for detoxing the skin from pollutants and heavy metals while exfoliating dead cells. Use in place of your cleanser once a week for a brighter, smoother complexion, or combine it with a cleansing cream for a milder exfoliation and deep cleansing.
Adequate hydration is crucial for all aspects of your health, skin included. Dermatologist Dr. Doris Day says “when skin is well-hydrated, it is more plump and resilient. This is due, at least in part, to an ingredient in the skin called hyaluronic acid. The job of hyaluronic acid in the skin is to hold water. When there is adequate water from inside, the skin looks healthier and more vibrant and is less prone to wrinkles. It is important to drink lots of fluids throughout the day for best results”. Dr. Day suggests drinking six to eight glasses of water a day. You may need more or less depending on your activity level.
The skin around your eyes is the thinnest, and most prone to dryness and signs of fatigue. Eye cream improves the natural eye support structure and glow, and is ideal to correct the appearance of crow’s feet, puffiness, dark circles and sagging eyelids. A recent study on the efficacy of anti-aging products showed that using an eye cream improved the smoothness of periorbital skin and to reduce the apparent depth of larger wrinkles. A lightweight formula can be applied to the upper eyelid, as well as beneath your eyes.
It may seem obvious, but when it comes to dewy, glowing skin, moisturizing is key. Harvard Medical School calls moisturizing the foundation of an effective skin care regimen. When your skin is dry and dull-looking, a hydrating tripeptide cream can help bring back the lost glow. This will protect your skin from pollution, leaving it firm and well-hydrated all day.
According to Healthline, dark leafy greens like kale and spinach are full of minerals, chlorophyll, and antioxidants. They’re essentially powerful multivitamins for your skin. They help oxygenate the skin and stimulate lymphatic drainage so they’re de-puffing too. Regularly eating your greens daily can transform your skin in a matter of days. Try replacing your morning coffee with a green juice. The nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream and reach skin cells quicker thanks to the lack of fiber in the juice.
Exercise promotes better circulation and brings more oxygen to the skin. Ever hear of a post-workout glow? In fact, the moment your heart starts beating faster, muscles pump out more of a protein that powers skin cells’ mitochondria to act younger—over time, that can make skin some 25 years younger at the microscopic level, according to a study at McMaster Universityin Ontario. Try to get your heart rate up a few times a week, even if it’s just for ten minutes.
Another instant glow tip is to refine the skin’s texture with retinol. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that encourages your skin to speed up its natural turnover, and according to a study in the British Journal of Dermatology retinol significantly improves wrinkling around the eyes and crease lines around the mouth and cheeks.Faster cell turnover leads to more collagen, keeping your skin plump with fewer fine lines and a smoother texture. Retinol also helps treat sun damage, fine lines and acne. A retinol booster delivers a gentle renewing action to help diminish the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections, improving your skin’s firmness.
When it comes to brightening up dark spots and pigmentation issues, Vitamin C is your best friend. Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, disrupts the development of pigmentation, so with regular application over time, it can help to reduce brown spots, promote collagen and firm skin. A vitamin c boosting concentrate can improves the appearance of dark spots, uneven tone and enlarged pores. Dermatologist Dr. David Jack Vitamin C is required to produce collagen which firms and tones the skin - deficiency can make skin appear dull and lifeless. Collagen also rejuvenates the skin from the roots and reduces wrinkles and appearance of ageing. Vitamin C also increases elastin, which makes for thicker skin that can retain more moisture, thus making skin appear plumper.
Add these ten tips into your beauty routine and you’ll be rocking naturally gorgeous glowing skin in no time!
by Jaclyn LaBadia - feature contributor
