From the glazed finish and glass skin to flushed cheeks, several buzzworthy trends have dominated our feeds for the past few years, all with one simple idea at their core: glow. We have chased an even-toned, radiant complexion for centuries, devising anti-blemish formulations to ultra-shimmery highlighters, all to achieve that elusive, blinding glow. But how does one master all-natural radiance that makes your skin look healthy and lustrous, even sans makeup? There’s no one answer to the mammoth question of how to get glowing skin, and there are so many different paths to achieving the glow of your dreams in 2023. Here’s a comprehensive guide on getting your glow on!
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Tips to get glowy skin
1. Here comes the sun
Before diving right into the specifics of getting healthy and radiant skin, let’s start with the basics. You may have heard it a million times from many people, but we will repeat it for good measure: please don’t skip on your sunscreen, even indoors.
A good sunscreen can help reduce signs of ageing. Opt for an SPF 50+ sunscreen that shields against UVA and UVB rays. It’s best to find a cream or gel that suits your skin type and apply it religiously every morning.
2. Be cool
Incorporating cold showers, baths, cold compresses and ice in your daily skincare routine is a huge plus. Cold water helps with boosting blood circulation and reduces puffiness and dullness. Splash cold water onto your face a few times post your regular shower, or gently massage your face with an ice cube up to three or four times a week to get a healthy flush of colour in your face. It’s a holy grail hack to get your skin glow back on track.
3. Double or nothing
While we ardently follow makeup application routines, we must also take equal care in removing makeup (and even sunscreen) thoroughly at the end of the day. The best way to ensure that every last speck of dirt, grime and makeup has been cleansed from your face is to double cleanse. Start with an oil-based cleanser to melt makeup and sunscreen particles on your skin; rinse or wipe with a damp towel. Next, wash your face with a gentle, hydrating face wash to rinse away any remaining greasiness.
5. Pause, tone and continue
A refreshing toner might feel unnecessary: it’s just liquid which seems inconsequential, right? But a good, hydrating toner can help you go the extra mile regarding glowing skin. The best way for your skin to absorb all the nutrients from your skincare products is by having a damp surface. Think of it as a nourishment top-up for your skin. When choosing a toner, look for soothing and skin-calming ingredients like cica, aloe vera, rose and cucumber.
Don’t forget to follow up the toner with a moisturiser to keep your skin barrier healthy and your radiance intact. Pick a lightweight gel for oily skin and a richer formulation for dry skin.
6. Sheet mask & chill
A sheet mask once every couple of days can boost your skin’s hydration levels in just a few minutes, making it look plumper and smoother. A sheet mask consists of serums and essences that penetrate deep into your skin and target specific concerns while adding an intense shot of moisture. Pick vitamin C to rid your face of dullness, or go the natural route with a turmeric-infused variant that will deliver a golden glow.
7. Supplement the effort
While eating a balanced diet is imperative to maintain a healthy glow, your skin could still miss out on some essential nutrients. This is where supplements can help, serving as food for glowing skin. When taken consistently over months, supplements can help combat skin concerns at the root and deliver a healthier complexion over time. Vitamin C, glutathione and zinc are all great options if you’re looking for glowing skin.
8. Drain the day away
Exercises and massages are not just beneficial to your body, they work wonderfully on your facial muscles and skin as well. A gua sha massage can help drain your lymphatic nodes, which in turn reduces puffiness and improve blood circulation, which affects your skin’s health, vitality, elasticity, and radiance in a great way. Draining your lymph nodes at the end of the day can also help you relieve stress and improve your sleep.
9. Scrub-a-dub-dub
Nothing reignites your skin’s radiance like an exfoliating scrub or mask. Remember to pick a gentle chemical exfoliator since physical scrubs can be too harsh for the skin on your face and do more harm than good. A chemical scrub or peel is usually formulated with AHAs that resurface your skin by sloughing away the top layer of dead skin cells and BHAs that penetrate deep into your pores to clear the gunk. Use a chemical peel once a week, apply for 7-10 minutes (follow the instructions on the pack) and rinse away for an instant skin polish. Follow up with moisturiser (skip any strong actives on exfoliation days) and be generous with your SPF the next few mornings.
10. Get active!
We all know that actives can help treat various skin concerns, but some are especially beneficial to enhance your glow. Vitamin C remains the undisputed winner in countering dullness and achieving healthy skin. It combats dark spots and hyperpigmentation and protects your skin against environmental aggressors, lending you a fresher appearance. Other actives that can help with combatting dark spots are kojic acid, alpha arbutin and tranexamic acid, all of which can deliver a more even-toned complexion over time.
Article Image : Instagram/@athiyashetty
