This past year has forced many of us to stay at home and avoid social gatherings with friends and family as much as possible. With nowhere to go, you might have let your skincare routine slide just a bit.

On top of that, wearing a mask every day causes skin issues for many people. Masks contribute to acne, redness, skin irritation, and more. Needless to say, the pandemic has been detrimental to skincare for countless reasons. 

Fortunately, COVID cases are in decline in many countries, and the promise of a vaccination is giving us all hope for the near future. We may get to start socializing again soon. 

It is for that very reason that you may be hoping to revitalize your skin. 

Are you hoping to give your face a glow-up before it’s time to start going to parties, bars, and get-togethers again? Is your skin lacking that radiant, natural glow that you’ve always dreamed about? 

If so, we have great news for you: achieving the ultimate face glow is possible with just five simple steps. Continue reading to learn all about how you can cultivate that perfect glow.

Step One: Cleanse 

Curating an effective skincare routine is one of the most crucial ways you can achieve a glow. The first step in that routine should be to cleanse.

Washing your face seems simple enough, but there are actually plenty of small ways that it can go wrong. If you’re aiming to get a radiant glow, you want your cleansing ritual to be as perfect as possible.

First of all, choose a good cleanser. Experts recommend a gentle, mild cleanser, especially for delicate skin. Most cleansers made specifically for the face are gentle, though you should avoid foaming ones, as they tend to remove natural oils that are actually good for the skin.

Before you cleanse, remove all makeup from the day. Leaving makeup on overnight clogs the pores, which makes it difficult for your face to naturally dispel toxins. 

When it comes time to actually wash your face, don’t use hot water—go for lukewarm water instead. Extremely hot water damages the skin and causes irritation. 

Cleanse your face every morning and night. When you do, simply apply a small bit of cleanser to your fingers and massage it into your face with circular motions. Be sure to cover your entire face, as well as your jawline and neck.

When you’re all done, just gently pat your face dry with a towel. 

We know that washing your face often seems like a hassle, especially if you’re in a rush in the morning, but getting into the habit of doing it twice daily is essential for clear, glowing skin.

Step Two: Exfoliate 

Along with cleansing, exfoliating is a major key to achieving glowing skin.

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from your face. These dead cells build up over time, eventually clogging pores and causing acne and other problems. By exfoliating, you are helping your face avoid that pesky issue.

However, unlike cleansing, you should not exfoliate every day. Exfoliating too often can be just as damaging as never exfoliating.

By now, you’re probably wondering: how much should I exfoliate? Well, that depends on two things: your skin type and the type of exfoliant you use. 

In general, people with oily skin should use mechanical exfoliation, which involves a brush, scrubber, or sponge. On the other hand, people with sensitive or dry skin and people prone to acne should opt for chemical exfoliation. This process involves a tool like a chemical face peel to dissolve dead skin cells with no scrubbing involved.

Experts recommend using a mechanical exfoliant two to three times a week or a chemical exfoliant once a week.

Determining the best exfoliation practices for your skin will transform the way your face looks and feels. Exfoliating reduces dullness and brings out your natural radiance. If you don’t already exfoliate, be sure to add this step to your skincare routine as soon as possible.

Step Three: Moisturize

To achieve that radiant glow, your skin needs to be as healthy as possible. One essential way to promote skin health and balance is to moisturize. 

What does moisturizing accomplish?

Well, first of all, moisturizing your skin with the right product locks in moisture by holding water in the skin’s outer layer. Using humectant ingredients like glycerin, lactic acid, or urea, moisturizers draw water into the skin to keep it hydrated. Some moisturizers also smooth the skin using emollients like sunflower oil and lanolin.

Moisturization promotes healing, prevents and treats dry skin, and improves skin texture. Ultimately, it boosts your skin’s health and encourages your natural glow to come shining through.

Moisturize after you wash your face. If you use any toners, serums, or eye creams, apply those before moisturizing (but after cleansing). 

When it comes time to moisturize, try to apply it while your skin is damp after cleansing. This will allow the product to do its job as well as possible—it allows the product to trap the water that’s already on your skin. If you find that your skin feels extra dry throughout your day, feel free to reapply as needed.

No matter what skin type you have, you should still moisturize regularly. Even if it feels like your skin doesn’t need it, stick to your moisturizing routine.

If you adhere to this vital step, you’ll be well on your way to glowing skin.

Step Four: Mask Up

Cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing are essential to healthy, radiant skin. But what if these tips just aren’t enough? 

Perhaps you already follow a regimented skincare routine, but you are still not satisfied with the appearance of your skin. Don’t fret—we have plenty more tips to come.

If your routine needs some added flair to bring it to the next level, consider investing in a face mask. No, not the kind we have to wear in the grocery store now—the skincare kind.

Face masks are wonderful for so many reasons. First of all, they allow us to indulge in self-care. Applying a mask at home instantly transforms your bedroom into a spa. With the pandemic raging on outside, we all need a little TLC.

Perhaps more importantly, though, the right face mask can instantly change your skin for the better. They’re easy to apply and only take a few minutes to take effect.

Undeniably, certain face masks are better for achieving a healthy glow than others. As you search for the perfect mask, try to find one that glow-inducing ingredients.

Clay masks are perfect for brightening the skin. For centuries, people have been using all-natural clay for a wide variety of treatments, including skin treatments. This is because clay is a detoxifier—it purifies the pores by removing any unwanted dirt and grime.

As we mentioned before, one common cause of dullness in the skin is clogged pores. A detoxifying product like our Vitamin C Clay Mask will clean out your pores, leaving your face looking and feeling refreshed, balanced, and radiant.

So, to recap: if you find your typical skincare routine dissatisfying, try a mask. With any luck, your face will be glowing in no time.

Step Five: Change Your Lifestyle 

We know this sounds like a lot. However, the fact is skincare is about more than just the right routine and the best products. The way you live your life can actually affect the appearance of your skin.

For example, you may be too stressed. Whether it’s work, school, or a relationship that’s getting you all worked up, your stressors may be depleting your natural glow. 

Too much stress isn’t an easy fix. However, perhaps you should consider a new, calming hobby like meditation or yoga. Or, you could incorporate a facial massage into your daily routine as you apply your moisturizer. 

Other lifestyle factors can affect the skin, as well. Smoking, sun exposure, and dehydration are three major causes of skin issues, including dullness. If you notice that a certain habit, like sitting out all day in the sun, makes your skin feel worse, consider avoiding that habit for a while. 

When a habit is totally ingrained in your lifestyle, it’s very difficult to change or quit immediately. Just be patient with yourself.

A Few Final Thoughts on Glowing Skin 

Hopefully, this short guide has given you the tools you need to achieve the radiant skin you want. Remember, skincare is different for everyone, and sometimes you have to experiment with your routine to finally get it perfectly right.

Don’t give up. Stick to these five steps, and you should see glowing results!

Sources

Face washing: How To | Healthline

Moisturizers - Options for Softer Skin