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Wishing for radiant skin? Here are 14 genius tips to get glowing skin.
When it comes to perfecting our skincare routine, we seem to have one common goal: achieve glowing, radiant skin. But things like stress, poor sleep, and aging can keep us from developing the flawless complexion we wish we had. The thing is though, with the right habits and products, almost anyone can transform their skin from dull to luminous. So, in pursuit of attaining a clear complexion, we gathered expert advice and the best skincare tips to help you achieve healthy skin and a natural glow. Here are 14 genius tips to get glowing skin.
1.) Stay hydrated
Super underrated to many, but super important. Drinking plenty of water is a major player in skin health and contributes to softer, smoother and clearer skin. The amount of water you should drink per day depends on several factors including your height, weight and daily routine, but as a general idea you should at least be drinking 6 glasses every day. Keeping a reusable water bottle with you is a great way to remind yourself to hydrate throughout the day.
RELATED: 10 Healthy Drinks That Are Great for Your Skin
2.) Wear sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen – whether it’s sunny or cloudy outside – is so important. SPF helps maintain an even skin tone and prevents discoloration, dark spots, and signs of aging that come from sun damage. We love formulas that not only protect our skin but also offer other skin-care benefits like promoting a healthy glow.
ELTA MD
UV Clear Facial Sunscreen
This zinc oxide facial sunscreen with broad-spectrum coverage provides optimal protection from both UVA and UVB rays. We also love that it is 100% suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin, oil-free, and will never clog pores.
3.) Re-evaluate your skincare routine
Having the right skincare routine is pretty crucial in having glowing skin. If your current routine is leaving you unsatisfied, look at what you’re using. Maybe you still have acne, blackheads, or redness. From there, you can decide whether or not you need a cleanser with salicylic acid, or if you might need an acne-fighting face mask for clear skin.
4.) Eat more healthy fats
Healthy fats (salmon, avocados, nuts, seeds) improve your complexion and plump up the appearance of your skin. This is because fats help hydrate your skin, and they are also the building blocks of healthy cell membranes. By consuming a well-balanced diet composed of proteins, carbohydrates, and good-for-you fats it will be much easier to attain glowing, healthy skin.
5.) Take care of your gut
There is a real connection between gut health and glowing skin. This is because the gut microbiome (the bacteria living in your digestive system) influences your overall health, which in turn, affects skin health. For a healthy gut, make sure you are eating whole foods, keeping stress to a minimum, and eating probiotic-rich , lacto-fermented foods (think yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles).
6.) Never pick at your skin
There are so many reasons you should never pop your pimples. When you pick at your skin, you actually increase your chances of inflammation, meaning more redness and swelling. In other words, you are basically making your pimple so much worse, especially because pushing on it often forces the oil and bacteria further down into the skin creating, you guessed it, an even BIGGER pimple. You can also create scars or tear your skin, opening your skin to possible infection.
PROACTIV
Acne Spot Treatment
This benzoyl peroxide acne medication targets bacteria inside pores to clear up blemishes and absorb excess oil. As one reviewer put it, “If you have a zit and need it gone ASAP, this is a product you need to purchase.”
7.) Indulge in face masks
Although having a solid daily skincare routine is super important, using face masks for acne will help draw out any excess oil and impurities that lead to breakouts. Plus, a good face mask will also prevent pimples, blackheads, and blemishes from forming in the future.
8.) Stay active
Did you know that exercising regularly promotes a healthy glow? This is because movement increases blood flow, relieves stress, and unclogs pores. Just make sure that if you are exercising (and sweating), all your makeup is removed and you shower afterwards.
RELATED: 19 Best YouTube Workout Channels That Will Help You Get Fit at Home
9.) Eat more antioxidants
Studies show that incorporating antioxidants in your diet helps manage free radical damage, fade fine lines and dark spots, and even promotes collagen production in the skin. Plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices) are excellent sources of natural antioxidants, plus, they are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
10.) Avoid breakout-inducing foods
Some foods, no matter how much we might enjoy them, can cause more harm to us than good. Highly refined carbs, sweets, and fast food are well known for not only being bad for our overall health, but they also cause the nasty bumps and blackheads we hate. For glowing skin, we encourage eating a clean, balanced diet.
11.) Minimize stress
When you’re stressed out, your skin shows it. Cortisol, a hormone your body releases when you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, is often a culprit for clogged pores and breakouts. To reduce stress, try going for a walk, listen to some music, or take a warm bath. We love setting aside a little us time and watching a few episodes of our favorite Netflix shows.
12.) Sleep well, and long enough
Beauty sleep is a real thing. Because our skin produces new collagen (which makes skin soft and supple) when we sleep, getting proper rest is so important in achieving a healthy glow. Bottom line: Better sleep = Less wrinkles.
13.) Keep your makeup tools clean
The more you clean your makeup brushes, the less likely it will be for them to collect harmful bacteria that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. If you don’t have a brush cleaning solution, we recommend using a mild soap with warm water to wash your tools.
14.) Steer clear of hot water
As fantastic as it feels, showering with hot water is not the best for your skin’s health. We recommend washing your face (and body) with warm water because it removes dirt and bacteria without drying out your skin, while also preserving your skin’s natural oils.
