8 Ways to get Glowing Skin

Skin is the body’s largest organ and, let’s be real, it goes through a lot. Dirt, oil, and pollution clings to it throughout the day. The result: dull, dry skin. We gathered long and short-term solutions so you can get that “just left the spa” glow every day.

Cleanse

Remember what we said about all that dirt, oil, and pollution our skin collects throughout the day? There’s an easy way to get rid of it. Wash up! Invest in a gentle, daily cleanser gently exfoliate. Make sure to use a cleanser twice a day, in the morning and at night, to get healthy-looking skin!

Moisturize

Your skin needs more than a gentle cleanse. After washing your face, make sure to add a hydrating moisturizer while the skin is still wet. This ensures that your skin locks in that extra moisture. This should also be done twice a day to retain moisture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Invest in sun protection

Sunscreen is a daily essential, even when it’s cloudy or raining. Not only does a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above protect you from skin cancer, it also protects you from photoaging, which is the damage your skin gets when exposed to ultraviolet light. Your skin is going to age no matter what, but you can protect yourself from unnecessary signs of aging by applying sunscreen every morning.

Sleep

Sleep doesn’t just give your mind a rest, it also promotes healthy skin. In fact, one study found that people who got less sleep had increased skin aging, reduced barrier function, and more dissatisfaction with appearance. Put seven to nine hours of sleep every night (which can be a challenge but try anyway!) on your glow goal list.

Adopt a healthy (and antioxidant-rich) diet

There’s plenty of reasons to get your daily dose of fruits and veggies, but did you know what you eat can impact your skin? It gives “you are what you eat” an entirely new meaning! Certain types of food contain nutrients that are important to keeping skin healthy.

For example, eat food rich in vitamin C, like citrus fruit, bell pepper, kiwi, broccoli, and strawberries to help form the skin barrier (which helps protect it from the elements) and collagen. A great diet full of the following can give you the nutrients you need:

• fresh fruits and vegetables

• whole grains

• lean proteins

• healthy fats (think olive oil, avocados, and nuts, etc.)

Exercise

Exercise has so many benefits (weight loss, increased strength, mood boost), so why not add one more? Exercise nourishes skin cells by increasing blood flow. That blood carries oxygen and nutrients to cells throughout the body. It also carries away things you don’t want in your skin, like free radicals. It also has another benefit that will help your skin: exercise eases stress. When stress hormones are produced, they also increase the amount of oil in your skin. Reduce stress, reduce oil.

Drink water

You’ve probably seen a drooping flower in need of some water. Think of the difference proper hydration can give you! Cells in your skin need water to function properly. Scientists have proven that water intake directly affects skin health. Aim for 8 glasses a day.

Focus on circulation

We already learned that increasing blood flow helps skin, but there are more ways to do that than just exercise. Do a face massage before putting on makeup to increase circulation. Just do a few upward and downward strokes to see the effect. You could also add Gua Sha into your daily routine. Another technique is rubbing your face or hanging upside down (just don’t do it too long). Find what works for you!

You, and your skin, go through a lot. Don’t let the stress of the day show on your face. Try one or try all these glow up techniques to see the difference for yourself.