The Secret to a Glowing Skin

1. Exfoliate every day

While you take a shower, use a loofah or exfoliating scrub to help minimize scaly skin and ingrown hairs. When exfoliating, gently scrub in a circular motion to remove dead skin cells and smooth out any bumps or areas of scaly skin. Don’t have an exfoliating scrub? No problem, used coffee grounds (unflavored) are a great eco-friendly option.

2. Keep your hands off your face

With the coronavirus still looming, keeping our hands away from our faces has never been more important. Not only does it help minimize the spread of germs to our noses, eyes, and mouths, but it also helps to keep our skin healthy. Just think of all the surfaces you touch and how these may get passed on to your skin. An average cell phone has more than 17,000 bacterial gene copies on it. Gross! That’s the last thing you want to expose your healthy skin too.

3. Implement a seasonal moisturizer routine

When our skin is exposed to different temperatures and weather conditions (wind, rain, snow), it will require different levels of support to keep it glowing and healthy. In the summer, your skin will be exposed to more moisture naturally, allowing a lighter moisturizer will work. In the winter, however, dry skin is common, and a heavier moisturizer will keep your skin healthy and supple, even in the cold winter months.

4. Don’t let excess oil become a problem

For some, oily skin is something they have to deal with often. If you’re someone with a bit of extra oil every now and then, use blotting papers periodically to remove some of the oil from your skin. If you don’t have blotting papers, loose powder can work too. However, you should never use pressed powder because it typically uses oils in its ingredients and it can actually intensify the problem.

5. Avoid hot showers

Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a nice hot shower at the end of a long day. While it may feel good at the time, it’s definitely not the best choice for healthy and glowing skin. Extended exposure to hot water can end up washing away some of our body’s protective oils and stripping the skin of its much-needed moisture. Shorter, cooler showers are a much better option.

6. Apply aloe vera regularly

If you have areas with extra dry skin (i.e. behind the knees, at the back of the elbows), a little aloe vera can go a long way. If you have a pre-packaged product, apply some to the problem areas at least once or twice a day. Even better, get an aloe plant! Aloe plants have been shown to purify the air, they make a great addition to any room, and you can cut off a bit to use on your dry skin.

7. Use a brightening serum

If you really want a glowing boost for your skin, a brightening serum rich in Vitamin C can help! Not only is Vitamin C great for a healthy immune system, but it can also provide some of the same health benefits to the skin. This works especially well with sunspots and can help to brighten any darker areas of the skin on your face.

8. Stay hydrated

This is something that we should all be doing anyway, but staying hydrated is one of the most important ways to maintain a healthy body with healthy and glowing skin. If your skin is lacking water, it may appear dry or dull-looking. Your fine lines may become more noticeable and your overall tone and complexion might start to look uneven. Drinking as much H20 as your body needs (and avoiding excess alcohol) will help to put some elasticity back in your skin, allowing it to look as vibrant and healthy as it should.

9. Get adequate sleep

Just like with water, our bodies don’t function very well without adequate sleep—and this goes for our skin, too. While we sleep, our unhealthy cells turnover, leaving a fresh and healthy face in the morning. Without at least eight to nine hours of sleep, we’re left with a puffy face, tired skin, and dark circles under our eyes. Fortunately, all of this can be prevented with enough good-quality sleep. Avoid electronics before bed, turn your phone on airplane mode, and get some solid shut-eye.

10. Consume skin-healthy foods

A healthy diet can go a long way in protecting all of our organs, including our skin. There are several whole and natural foods that can help to support healthy and glowing skin. Some of the best foods include fatty fish for the anti-inflammatory powers of their omega-3 fatty acids, avocados for their healthy fats, and walnuts for their essential fatty acids. Some nuts and seeds (especially sunflower seeds) are also great for the skin. Colorful fruits and vegetables, like sweet potatoes, red or yellow bell peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes also work wonders for skin with their antioxidant properties.

Consume all of this with a cup of green tea and some dark chocolate for dessert and you’ll have healthy and glowing skin in no time!

Final Thoughts on Glowing Skin

Not only are all of these tips relatively easy to incorporate into our daily routines, but they’re also essential for an overall healthy body. If you start taking better care of your skin, you’ll also likely benefit from greater overall health. So, not only is this the secret to glowing skin, but it’s also the secret to a healthier life.