Get the Glow

by Katie Faulkner

Never let dull, tired skin get in the way of making an amazing impression or feeling your most confident! By following just a few simple steps in your regular skin care routine, you can harness the beauty of a naturally glowing complexion.   

Know Your Needs

An important first step to a radiant complexion is to identify your skin type and any conditions it has. Purchase natural products that address your needs, such as products formulated specifically for oily or dry skin. No matter the type, you should always treat skin, especially facial skin, gently.

Cleanse

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and water to keep pores unclogged from daily pollutants, makeup, and dead skin cells. Use your hands or a soft wash cloth, splash to rinse, and pat dry to avoid pulling and stretching your skin. Try to cleanse at the same times each day, preferably before bed and during your morning routine. This should help your skin adjust to a routine and prevent an over- or under-production of natural oils.

Moisturize

Another vitally important part of your daily routine is to moisturize, keeping skin plump, protected, and vibrant. It also adds back controlled amounts of moisture that have been stripped away through cleansing; as a result, your skin doesn’t try to overproduce natural oils, which could cause shine and breakouts.

There are countless options for moisturizers – from serums, creams, and lotions to mists and ointments. Just make sure you apply at the same times each day, using heavier moisturizers at night and lighter, less oily ones for morning application.

Exfoliate

A crucial step to achieving a radiant glow is exfoliation. Choose a mildly abrasive paste, mask, soap, or scrub, ideally with natural abrasives that you can use up to twice weekly. (Be careful not to over-exfoliate!) This process helps to slough off dead skin cells, speed new skin cell regeneration, and prepare skin to better absorb other products and moisturizers that you use.

Care

Part of daily maintenance should include treating any issues that arise and caring for your skin’s protection. Treat acne breakouts, dry patches, or any other conditions per your dermatologist’s recommendations. Additionally, always protect your skin with a light, moisturizing sunscreen. Most dermatologists recommend  a minimum of SPF 15.

Eat Clean & Drink Water

Your diet has an enormous impact on your complexion. Avoid processed, greasy, or fried foods and sugar-laden or high-sodium items to help your skin’s health and appearance. Drinking plenty of water is another important practice to keep skin glowing. It hydrates the deepest layers of your skin, and is also just a great practice for your overall health!

Rest & Relax

Getting enough sleep and managing your stress level are good habits to adopt for the sake of your skin. At least seven solid hours of sleep each night, along with decompressing regularly, helps your skin avoid breakouts, discoloration, and tired drooping.

Listen to your body and observe the way your skin reacts to each of the steps above. This will help you determine how often to cleanse, what type of moisturizers to use, when and how to exfoliate, and much more. The trick is to maintain regularity in these practices, so you can maintain a gorgeous glow year-round!