10 Tips for Brighter & Glowing Skin

How to Get Glowing Skin

Dreaming of a healthy, natural glow? Turn your dream into a reality by learning how to get glowing skin. We’ve put together our best tips to help you reach your ultimate glow goals so you can look like a walking ray of sunshine everywhere you go.

1. Keep It Clean

Daily cleansing is a non-negotiable when it comes to getting glowing skin because let’s face it: skin can’t glow if it isn’t clean. Wash your face both morning and night to rid your skin of any dirt, bacteria, excess oil, and environmental pollutants. If your face feels tight after cleansing, that’s a sign your cleanser is too harsh for your skin. Use a gentle, vegan face wash made with plant extracts to soothe, calm and clean. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the way you wash your face can affect your skin’s appearance so be sure to wash your face properly, which includes avoiding hot water so your skin isn’t stripped of its natural oils.

2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

You can probably imagine it’s hard for your skin to glow without being properly hydrated so we’re here to remind you to never skimp on moisturizer. Your skin’s moisture barrier can be disrupted by environmental pollutants, frequent washing, and sun exposure, making moisturizer a vital part of your everyday skincare routine regardless of your skin type. However, it’s best to choose the right moisturizer for your skin in order to maximize its effectiveness.

But because your skin can potentially change over time, pay attention to how your skin responds as the seasons change. You’ll likely need to use a different moisturizer during different times of the year. During the warmer months, you can opt for a lightweight moisturizer while your skin will surely need a more hydration-intensive moisturizer during the winter. Our Drink It Up super-hydrating serum makes another great addition to your daily routine. It's formulated to soak your skin in moisture, promote cell turnover, protect against environmental stressors, fight signs of aging, and keep your skin soft and dewy.

Endless Hydration

Quench your skin’s thirst with this super-hydrating serum that also helps fight signs of aging and keeps your skin soft and plump.

Stay Hydrated

3. Exfoliate Regularly for Glowing Skin

Freshen up your face by exfoliating on a regular basis to help rid your skin of any dead skin cells that have built up and may be clogging your pores. By sloughing off dead skin cells, you improve your skin’s texture and the result is smooth, vibrant skin. Exfoliation also allows for better absorption of skincare products and better makeup application. There are two types of exfoliants: chemical exfoliation and physical exfoliation.

Physical Exfoliation

Physical exfoliation refers to the use of tools such as facial brushes, loofas, or scrubs to physically buff away dead cells from the skin’s surface. These methods tend to be harsher on the skin. A general rule of thumb is to stay away from large exfoliants like nut shells, which can cause micro-tears in the skin. Instead, look for exfoliants that contain tiny granules to lessen irritation.

Chemical Exfoliation

Chemical exfoliants are gentler on the skin than their physical counterparts because they use chemical ingredients to remove impurities and dead skin cells rather than rough materials. The two main groups of chemicals typically used for exfoliation are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). AHAs are water-soluble and help shed the top layer of skin to reveal brighter, smoother skin. BHAs are oil-soluble and penetrate deep within the pores to remove excess oil and dead skin cells.

Two of the most common chemical exfoliants are glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Glycolic acid is an AHA made from sugarcane and is often found in chemical peels. Salicylic acid is a BHA and well-known acne-fighting ingredient in our vegan acne treatment gel that helps reduce redness and inflammation.

Which Type of Exfoliant Is Best?

It’s up to you! As long as you exfoliate regularly and follow the recommended tips to prevent skin damage while exfoliating, use whichever one works best for your skin. For those with oily or acne-prone skin, exfoliating up to fives times a week is recommended whereas just once or twice a week is enough for normal or dry skin types. Anyone with sensitive skin needs to be careful with exfoliation to avoid irritation -- make sure to be extra gentle!

4. Put on a Face Mask

Treating yourself to fancy facials can be hard on your wallet, so pamper your skin with a weekly at-home face mask instead. The good news is there’s plenty of face masks out there with different benefits so you can easily find one for your own skin needs. For bright, glowing skin, you’ll want to look for a hydrating plant-based mask made with a refreshing blend of botanicals that work together to restore and rejuvenate the skin.

We know blemishes can get in the way of a healthy glow so if you find yourself dealing with frequent breakouts, clay face masks are sure to be your new favorite. Clay masks help detoxify the skin by drawing out impurities and absorbing excess oil, making them especially useful for those with oily or acne-prone skin. When using masks, be sure to avoid the common masking mistakes and remember to use them up to twice a week to avoid dryness.

Clogged or Congested Pores?

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5. Use Brightening Skincare Ingredients

Pigmentation issues often get in the way of a healthy glow. Hyperpigmentation in particular refers to the darkening of certain areas of the skin, which can be caused by acne. To tackle hyperpigmentation and promote glowing skin, look for skincare products that contain brightening ingredients like vitamin C and licorice root.

Vitamin C

For anyone hoping to take their skin from dull to dazzling, vitamin C is your hero. This ingredient helps brighten the skin to achieve a healthy glow and fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Dark circles dragging you down? Vitamin C is frequently found in eye products such as our plant-based eye gel to help brighten the under-eye area and get rid of pesky dark circles. You can also find vitamin C in our Brighten Up, Sunshine clay masque, designed to brighten, exfoliate, and moisturize skin.

Licorice Root

Licorice root is another common ingredient for glowing skin because it contains powerful antioxidants that help diminish the appearance of discoloration and age spots. You can find licorice root extract in our vegan face serum.

6. Reevaluate Your Diet

What we eat has an effect on the look and health of our skin. With that in mind, getting the glow you’ve always wanted involves being more mindful of what you feed your body. Limit your intake of processed foods, sugar, and alcohol, which can all show up on skin in the form of dullness, breakouts, or oiliness.

The best foods for healthy skin are those rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats. The next time you’re running low on groceries, don’t forget to add these skin-lovin’ foods to your shopping list:

• Avocados: Avocados are full of healthy and natural fats that allow your skin to retain moisture and stay flexible. They’re also a great source of vitamin E, an important antioxidant that boosts your immune system and helps you fight off acne-related infections.
• Blueberries: These little berries are packed with antioxidants, which play a key role in maintaining healthy skin. Antioxidants help fight free radicals known to damage skin cells.
• Chia seeds: Chia seeds are one of the best foods for clear skin since they have anti-inflammatory properties and are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help support collagen production to keep skin plump and strong.

In addition to eating well, keeping your body properly hydrated can also help improve skin health. Drinking plenty of water every day helps prevent dull skin, fine lines, excess sebum production, and help your system flush out toxins.

7. Protect Your Skin

Guard yourself from damaging UV rays by putting on enough sunscreen to cover all your bare skin before you leave the house. However, UV rays aren't the only thing that threatens your skin's health. Environmental stressors, free radicals, and blue light also have skin-damaging effects so find a sunscreen that doesn't just offer UV protection, but total protection. 

More than sun-proof. Life-proof.

Protect your face and body from harmful UV rays, free radicals, blue light, and environmental pollutants with these non-nano 100% mineral zinc oxide sunscreens for everyday use.

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8. Stay Active

Don’t skimp on the exercise and get out! A 30-minute walk or jog, yoga, or any activity you like will help nourish your skin cells and keep your skin radiant and healthy.

9. Be Consistent

Skincare is a lifetime system, and maintaining vital and healthy skin means putting in the effort each day!

10. Get Glowing Skin With Makeup

We love a bare, natural face but sometimes you just need a little extra something to amp up your glow, and we get it. Turn up the brightness of your skin with the help of makeup. Start with a primer like Primed & Ready to help blur pores and imperfections, prep your skin for flawless makeup application, and extend the wear of your makeup to lock in your look all day (or night) long. Primed & Ready even hydrates skin and doubles as an everyday moisturizer.

Get Ready for Your Close-up

This 2-in-1 primer locks in your makeup and keeps your skin hydrated all day. Go ahead and snap a selfie -- no filter needed.

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Next, apply a lightweight, oil-free foundation or tinted moisturizer designed to achieve a dewy radiance without having to apply thick layers. Then, add highlighter to the high points of your face (the tip of the nose, the tops of the cheeks, the brow bones, and cupid’s bow) so you can glimmer and glow effortlessly. As the last step, use a cruelty-free setting spray to keep it all in place so you can glow all day and all night.

 

Do You Dew?

The perfect blend of Floralux, rose hip, and witch hazel to tone, refresh, and set your makeup.

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Abby Vinas

Abby Vinas has long been an active member of the holistic health community, advocating in favor of its benefits to both our physical and emotional well-being. Her commitment to leading a healthy lifestyle has made her an authority on self-care practices. Abby is passionate about fitness, nutrition, and proper skincare, and is also an avid lover of avocado toast and dog-petting.