Look Radiant: How to Make Your Skin Glow
The skincare market in the U.S. is a $17 billion industry, and millions of people are spending their hard-earned money to improve the way their skin looks and feels.
Are you part of this group? Are you eager to have glowing, youthful skin? Luckily for you, there are lots of steps you can take to achieve this goal, even if you don’t have a lot of time or money to spend. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to make your skin glow:
Drink enough water
One of the easiest and most effective steps you can take to improve the appearance of your skin is to drink enough water. Staying hydrated will help to improve your body’s overall health. It will keep your organs functioning properly and ensure that your body’s natural detoxifying systems are working. Remember, when your body is working well on the inside, this will then be reflected outward in the appearance of your skin.
To figure out how much water to drink each day, divide your body weight in half. Then, drink that number in ounces (e.g., if you weigh 160 pounds, drink 80 ounces of water per day). You can also further boost your hydration by eating foods with high water content, such as cucumbers and melons.
Eat a healthy diet
In addition to drinking plenty of water, it is also important to look at your diet.
It is hard to have fresh, glowing skin when you are eating lots of highly processed food that is high in sugar, inflammatory oils and other questionable ingredients. Consuming lots of alcohol also isn’t great for your skin. Work on minimizing your intake of these foods and beverages. Instead, try to consume more whole, unprocessed foods. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, which contain antioxidants that improve the look of your skin. Consume adequate amounts of protein, too, and add healthy fats from sources like salmon, avocados and extra virgin olive oil.
Use topical retinoids and ceramides
When shopping for skincare products, look for ones that contain retinoids and ceramides.
Retinoids help to increase cell turnover and stimulate the production of collagen, a protein that plays an essential role in the health and structure of your skin. They are found in many serums and skin treatments and do a great job of minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. They will also help to brighten your skin.
Ceramides, on the other hand, help to promote moisture. They are naturally occurring lipids found in the skin cell membranes. Using products that contain ceramides will keep your skin smooth and hydrated while also protecting it from free radical damage.
Exfoliate your skin
Don’t forget to exfoliate your skin on a regular basis. Exfoliating helps to slough off dead skin cells and reveals new, fresh skin underneath. If you don’t exfoliate often enough, you may find that your skin has a dull look and feel to it. You might notice fine lines and wrinkles appear to be more prominent, too.
Use a gentle scrub to exfoliate your skin about once a week. You may also want to look into chemical peels or treatments like dermaplaning to show your skin some additional love. An aesthetician can evaluate your skin and let you know which types of procedures will be best for you and help you address your specific needs.
Take supplements
A healthy diet can get you a long way on your journey to smooth, glowing skin. Sometimes, though, you need a little extra help. Nutritional supplements can help to fill in the gaps in your diet and give your skin the extra nourishment it needs.
Some supplements that are especially good for the skin include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, fish oil (a good source of omega-3 fatty acids), zinc and collagen peptides. Be sure to talk to your doctor before you start supplementing with any of these, though. Remember, it is possible to overconsume vitamins and minerals, and you don’t want to take in more than is necessary.
Get enough sleep
When you are sleeping, your body is able to go to work repairing the damage it experienced during the day. That includes any damage to your skin. Without sufficient sleep, it is much harder for these repairs to take place. Sleep deprivation can also cause your skin to look puffy, dull and dehydrated.
Try to sleep at least seven hours per night. If you have a hard time getting to sleep or staying asleep, pay attention to how much caffeine you are drinking during the day (you may need to cut it off early so it doesn’t interfere with your sleep). Limit your blue light exposure at night, too, so you don’t go to bed feeling alert and wired.
Use the right makeup
The type of makeup you are using on your skin can make a big difference in the way it looks, too. Look for makeup products that brighten your skin and help you instantly create a glowing appearance.
Contouring with the best bronzer can be a big help, especially when you pair it with a highlighter on the tops of your cheekbones and some blush to bring color to your face. Consider applying a hydrating setting spray, too. This will help your makeup look fresh and dewy, rather than matte and dull.
When you are shopping for makeup, look for products that are free from potentially harmful ingredients like parabens and heavy metals. These ingredients are not good for your health and won’t do your skin any favors.
You know how to make your skin glow: What is next?
As you can see, there are plenty of effective skincare strategies and makeup tips you can implement to get gorgeous, glowing skin. If you follow the guidelines outlined above on how to make your skin glow, you will be amazed at the results you see (some of them will even be instant successes).
Do you want to learn more about beauty and skincare? If so, visit the Beauty section of our site today for some additional tips and tricks.
Article written by Jane Davies
This article was written by the guest author listed at the end of the article.