7 Best Tips for Glowing Skin

Plus bonus tips from a spa pro!

Are you ready to unlock the secrets to radiant and glowing skin? Look no further! This article will unveil the 7 best tips for achieving that coveted glow. From skincare routines to lifestyle habits, we'll cover simple ways to transform your skin into a luminous masterpiece. Get ready to embrace a healthier, more radiant complexion as we dive into the skincare world and reveal the ultimate secrets for achieving glowing skin.

1. Cleanse and moisturize 

Start by cleansing your face daily to remove dirt, excess oil, and impurities. Use a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type. Follow up with a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and supple. This helps maintain a healthy skin barrier and promotes a radiant complexion.

Pro tip: 

Use a hot or cold, damp, clean washcloth twice daily. It feels as pampering as it is cleansing. Steam from a clean cloth can help open the sinuses, while gentle pressure upwards onto your sinuses with the heels of your hands may relieve stress and tension. Then blow your nose. All of this helps you rid your airways of environmental pollution and allergens. The better you feel inside, the more your skin will glow.

2. Protect from the sun

Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is essential for maintaining a glowing complexion. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher whenever you go outside, even on cloudy days. Include your neck, chest, ears, arms, hands, and other skin exposed to sunlight. Additionally, wear protective clothing and seek shade during peak sun hours to minimize sun damage and premature aging.

Pro fact:

As a massage therapist, I saw first-hand that people who cover their skin have more youthful-looking skin. I've given massages to seniors with wrinkly faces and legs that looked twenty-something. Their legs had never seen direct sunlight. Their wrinkles didn't devalue them, nor am I saying we need to cover up every inch of us. Wearing sunscreen is a wise daily practice for parts that clothing doesn't cover.

3. Exercise regularly

Regular physical activity promotes healthy blood circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to your skin. This increased blood flow helps nourish your skin cells and gives your complexion a natural glow. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

Pro tip: 

Studies show that exercising to your favorite music helps you work out longer and with less fatigue. Press play on your favorite playlist to get started.

4. Eat a balanced diet 

A nutritious diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can contribute to radiant skin. Include foods high in antioxidants, such as berries, leafy greens, and nuts, which help fight free radicals and promote skin health. Avoid excessive intake of processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, as they can contribute to inflammation and dull skin.

Pro tip: 

If time and energy prevent you from cooking healthy meals, a deli chicken with fresh greens, berries, and dressing will help you meet your nutritional needs. "Bake" a potato for 5 minutes in a microwave if you want energy from carbs. Drizzle the potato and greens with olive oil or your favorite healthy fat. If you're too busy or tired to shop, Instacart and several major grocery chains have reasonable delivery fees, especially when you join one with an annual plan.

5. Get enough sleep

A good night's sleep is essential for skin rejuvenation. During sleep, your body repairs and regenerates skin cells, creating a refreshed and radiant complexion. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to promote optimal skin health.

Pro tip: 

This one has drawn negative responses from the "early to bed, early to rise" crowd, but it's what works for me, so I am presenting it as a choice among all the other choices for trying to get healthy sleep. Please hear me out before you dismiss the idea. If insomnia makes you miserable and becomes a vicious cycle between what you feel you should do and what your brain actually does, you could try accepting yourself as you are and sleeping when your brain lets you sleep. 

"But Luca, I heard that the early bird gets the worm."

My response is that the birds in my yard eat worms all day until dusk. The earth is plentiful with earthworms, enough to feed all the birds, all day, every day. If you doubt, spend time in a forest and see for yourself. We've been conditioned to think many things that aren't true, and one of those things is that we must sleep between a narrow window of time while it is dark. The world will not stop turning if a few of us sleep in. What will happen is that more of us glow from getting our beauty rest.

6. Reduce stress

Chronic stress can take a toll on your skin, leading to dullness and breakouts. Everyone experiences stress. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as deep breathing, meditation, or engaging in enjoyable activities. Taking time for self-care can help promote a more radiant and glowing complexion.

Pro tip: 

Manage stress by doing what you enjoy. Though we all have basically the same parts, everyone is unique. For some, effective self-care looks like time in a bath. Others prefer going to a spa, hitting the gym, walking through the park, or hiking on weekends. There are people who golf and people who do sheet mask facials at home. Some enjoy working in the garden, while others get lost in books or meditation. Others are hobbyists, or they moonlight as semi-pro performance artists. The primary key to reducing the effects of stress is to do more of what makes you feel good about yourself.

7. Stay hydrated with water

Hydration is key to maintaining healthy, glowing skin. Drink adequate water throughout the day to keep your body and skin hydrated. Water helps flush out toxins, supports skin cell function, and improves skin complexion. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily, and consider carrying a reusable water bottle with you as a reminder to stay hydrated.

Pro tip: 

Increase water intake incrementally to avoid shocking your organs of elimination with too much at once, and consult a physician if concerns arise. A torrential downpour onto arid earth creates a flash flood. If your cells are chronically dry, they will treat a sudden abundant downpour in much the same way, causing a bathroom emergency. Add a few ounces to your current intake each week until you habitually reach 64 to 100 ounces.

You may pee more than usual at first. You may also enjoy increased muscle flexibility and less stress. If you stick with it, your body will learn how to accommodate the excess water so you don't have to go so often. You can drink electrolytes to help retain water so you'll pee less. Assess how you feel the day after drinking your goal volume, and thank your cells for taking good care of you. Gratitude, like water, makes life better.

Since frequent hydration is a daily requirement of life, the best results come from sustained effort.

Conclusion

Achieving and maintaining glowing skin takes time and consistency. Patience and adapting your skincare routine to your skin's needs is essential. If you have persistent skin concerns, it's advisable to consult an esthetician or a dermatologist for personalized advice and guidance.

Read more about the beauty and function of the integumentary system in Skin, Our Guardian Shield.