Glowing, dewy, and creamy are only a few of the words used to describe healthy skin. You probably know glowing skin when you see it, but achieving that glow for yourself might feel allusive. Rest assured that a combination of good skin care, nutrition, and healthy habits can bring out your skin’s natural radiance.
Characteristics of healthy skin
Healthy, glowing skin typically has a few common characteristics, such as:
- Smooth texture
- Little or no acne
- Even pigmentation
- Balanced hydration (not too dry or too oily)
Don’t fret if you struggle with breakouts, oily skin, or dry patches. No one’s skin is perfect. A better understanding of your skin type and personal habits that support skin health can give you the dewy glow you want.
6 Tips for glowing skin
Gentle cleansing
Your skin produces sebum, a natural oil that hydrates the skin. Your skin can also collect dirt, perspiration, and oils from your hands or environment throughout the day. All of these substances can potentially clog your pores, causing breakouts.
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser every morning and night to clear the skin of daily debris and excess oil. Total Facial Cleansing Gel, a gentle cleanser designed for all skin types, or Tea Tree Deep Clearing Facial Cleanser, a gentle cleanser with natural ingredients that treat acne, are two options that cleanse without overdrying the skin.
Exfoliate
Healthy skin reflects a certain amount of light to give the skin’s surface a natural luminescence that we perceive as “glow.” A build-up of the dead skin cells your skin sheds every day dulls and hides your skin’s natural reflective properties.
Exfoliants, like Crystal Clarity Exfoliation Scrub or Alpha Hydroxy Skin Renewal Serum, help remove the dead cells. Scrubs work by polishing or buffing the skin with physical exfoliants, such as tiny particles of volcanic ash. Serums use chemicals to break the bonds between the live and dead cells to make them easier to shed. Either option reveals the luminous skin that’s lying underneath.
Moisturize and treat
Healthy skin is moisturized skin. A good moisturizer works with the body’s natural moisturizing system to balance the skin’s hydration. Apply a general moisturizer, like Oil Free Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer, after cleansing your face in the morning and evening. If you have dry skin, apply a heavier moisturizer, such as Ultra Rich Biolipid Cream, to give an extra moisture boost.
You can also use special skincare treatments to boost your skin’s appearance. Take a look at your skincare product ingredients. Ingredients like Baobab seed oil can do wonders for your skin’s moisture, tone, and luminescence. Baobab Skin Correction Cream, for example, evens tone, moisturizes, and brightens the skin.
Sun protection
Most daily skin damage comes from the sun’s UV rays, making sun protection an integral part of keeping your skin healthy. Using a daily physical, broad-spectrum sunscreen, like Essential Solar Protector or Hyaluronic Facial Solar Protector, that prevents UVA and UVB rays from penetrating the skin is one of the best ways to protect your skin. Both of these sunscreens also moisturize the skin to keep it balanced even if you’re in dry conditions.
Additional sun protective measures to incorporate each day include:
- Wearing a hat, long sleeves, and long pants
- Staying out of the sun between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm
- Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses
- Seeking shade when possible
Good nutrition
Food fuels all of your body’s systems and organs, including the skin. A healthy diet full of fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and a healthy amount of fats helps your body build healthy skin from the inside out.
Try to make your plate colorful. Colorful foods tend to have more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Finally, stay hydrated. Sip on water throughout the day to prevent dehydration, which can leave your skin looking brittle and dull.
Take a look at the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for more in-depth nutrition information.
Regular exercise
Regular exercise keeps your circulatory system healthy. Your circulatory system acts as the body’s highway system. It brings nutrients, removes waste, and brings healing proteins and antibodies from the immune system.
Try to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Do a mix of cardiovascular exercise like walking, cycling, or running and resistance training, such as weight lifting, resistance bands, or cable machines.
The takeaway
Consistency is your greatest ally to better skin health. Over time, as you cultivate healthy habits, your skin can develop the radiance and youthful brilliance you’ve been working toward.
