How to Get Glowing Skin: 8 Strategies to Look Lit from Within in 2023

Wondering how to get glowing skin? You're in the right place! Achieving radiant skin is a journey, not an overnight miracle. That ‘lit from within’ look comes when you follow some basic lifestyle choices and combine it with high quality skincare and regular facials. Let's kick start that journey with our first strategy - embracing a balanced diet.

Eat Your Glow: Adopt a Balanced Diet for Skin Health

Who knew that the secret recipe to glowing skin could be hiding in your kitchen pantry? That's right - your diet plays a pivotal role in skin health. To garner the glow, it's time to give that grocery list a healthy makeover.

Fruits and vegetables: Mom was right after all. Fruits and vegetables are crammed with antioxidants that combat skin-damaging free radicals. Think vibrant berries, leafy greens, or even the humble carrot. Remember, the more colorful your plate, the better. Fresh fruits and vegetables will also help with a sluggish digestive system and give your body energy.
Healthy fats: Not all fats are bad. Avocados, nuts and seeds, flax and olive oil offer healthy fats, Omegas, and vitamin E — essential for skin health. Your skin needs healthy fats for moisture and suppleness. If your skin is flaky and dry, you may need more healthy fats in your diet.
Protein: The building blocks of your skin, consuming protein helps in the regeneration of skin cells, aiding in collagen production. Lean meats, fish, and dairy products are great protein sources. Vegan sources of protein are soy, nuts, lentils, chickpeas, and quinoa - to name a few.
Water: It may not be a food, but staying hydrated is just as important—more on this later.
Cut down on sugar and processed food: These culprits can cause inflammation leading to skin issues like acne. Cutting most sugar out of your diet is optimal or swapping sugar and corn syrup for natural sweeteners and boxed, processed foods for whole foods can be a game changer.

So, as you plan your meals, remember — you're not just feeding your body; you're nourishing your skin.

Hydrate: The Role of Water in Skin Glow

Now, let's dive into our second strategy for achieving that coveted glow - hydration. Remember when we mentioned the importance of water in your diet? Here's why it's so crucial.

Adequate hydration is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to get your skin glowing. Water helps to flush out toxins, aids in digestion, and enhances skin elasticity — all of which contribute to a healthier, glowing complexion.

Ready to ramp up your hydration game? Here are some tips:

Drink plenty: The golden rule is to aim for 8 glasses of water each day, but this can vary depending on your lifestyle and body needs. Listen to your body and hydrate accordingly.
Infuse your water: Not a big fan of the taste of water? Try adding fresh fruits, herbs, or cucumbers for a refreshing twist. Not only does it taste great, but it also adds a little extra dose of vitamins.
Eat your water: Yes, you read that right! Indulge in fruits and vegetables with high water content like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges. It's hydration with a side of nutrients.
Avoid dehydrating drinks: Beverages like coffee and alcohol can dehydrate your skin. If you're consuming these, make sure to balance it out with plenty of water.

Water is not replacement for a moisturizer! As we said, drinking adequate water will help your organs to function properly and detox your skin, but it will not take the place of a moisturizer, as most of the water you drink goes down the toilet! Drinking water does not mean that your skin will be hydrated topically. More on that later!

Sleep well: The Connection Between Rest and Radiance

Another non-negotiable in your journey to radiant skin - sleep. It's not called beauty sleep for nothing, right?

Getting a good night's sleep is like hitting the refresh button for your skin. During sleep, your body gets busy repairing and rejuvenating itself. This includes your skin, which uses this downtime to repair any damage from the day and regenerate new skin cells. Consistent insufficient sleep can affect your skin and result in breakouts, redness, and worsen complicated skin issues.

Here are a few sleep strategies to help you wake up with glowing skin:

Regular sleep schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This helps regulate your body's internal clock and can aid in better sleep quality.
Quality over quantity: Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. It's not just about the hours you clock in, but also the quality of sleep you get.
Pre-bedtime skincare routine: Establishing a nighttime skincare routine can signal your body that it's time to wind down. Plus, your skin absorbs products better at night, helping you wake up with a soft, glowing complexion.
Comfortable sleeping environment: Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool. These factors can significantly influence how well you sleep.

Sunscreen: Protect your skin from harmful rays

You're eating right, hydrating properly, and catching those ZZ’s, but, there's another piece of the healthy skin puzzle we need to talk about — sunscreen. The sun’s rays can cause dark pigmented spots and melasma, wrinkles, redness, dry leathery skin, destroy your skin barrier if you get burned, and cause cancer. Is this reason enough for you?

Yes, sunscreen. It's not just for beach days or summer vacations. It's an everyday essential, no matter the season or weather. Sunscreen is your skin's best friend, protecting it from the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Here's how you can make sunscreen a part of your daily regimen:

Choose broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen: Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Both can damage your skin, leading to premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. We recommend 50 SPF or higher and a mineral-based sunscreen that will be more friendly towards aquatic life and your skin.
Apply generously: Don't skimp on your sunscreen application. Experts recommend using about a shot glass full for your entire body and a nickel-sized dollop or line down your longest finger for your face.
Reapply often: Sunscreen doesn't last all day. Make sure to reapply every two hours and immediately after swimming or profuse sweating.
Don't skip cloudy days: UV rays can penetrate through clouds, so don't ditch the sunscreen on overcast days.

Wear protective clothing: Cover up with a wide brimmed hat, and a lightweight long sleeve shirt, a flowy fabulous beach cover-up over your sunscreen, or even a parasol to protect you from the strongest afternoon rays. Trust me, your future self will thank you for it!

Regular Exercise: Boost your skin's natural glow

Are you ready to lace up those sneakers or bust out the yoga mat? No, you don't have to become a gym rat or run a marathon (unless you want to, of course!). Regular, moderate exercise can do wonders for your skin. Here's how:

Increases blood flow: When you exercise, your heart rate increases, pumping more blood through your body. This means more oxygen and nutrients delivered to your skin cells.
Promotes sweat: Breaking a sweat isn't just a sign of a good workout. It's also your body's natural way of detoxifying. Sweating can help clear out pores, leaving your skin looking fresher.
Reduces stress: Exercise is a proven stressbuster. Lower stress levels can lead to fewer breakouts and a more radiant complexion.

So, whether it's yoga, a cardio class, biking, dancing, or even brisk walking, find a physical activity that you love and make it a habit. Remember, this isn't just about getting your heart rate up; it's about carving out time to care for yourself. Remember that a little bit of movement can go a long way. So, get out there and let your skin glow with health!

Exfoliate: Shed Dead Skin Cells for a Brighter Complexion

Did you know that healthy, hydrated skin naturally sheds dead cells daily? For this reason and many others, keeping your skin hydrated is essential for it to function as it was designed to. The drier your skin is the harder it is for it to naturally renew. Your skin will need a little help to get that polished glow. That's where exfoliation comes into play.

Exfoliation is like a mini facial—it quite literally lifts and polishes away the old to reveal the new, the bright, the glowing! It's a simple step with significant benefits:

Removes dead skin cells: Over time, dead skin cells can build up on your skin's surface, leading to dullness and clogging pores. A good exfoliant can gently scrub away these cells, revealing a brighter complexion underneath.
Evens out skin tone: Regular exfoliation can help diminish the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Boosts absorption: By removing the layer of dead skin cells, your skin can better absorb the products you apply afterwards. This means your favorite serums and moisturizers can work even better!

Aim to exfoliate about once or twice a week—any more could irritate your skin. Go grab that exfoliant and make it part of your routine. Just make sure it is gentle and doesn’t leave your skin stripped and tight.

Moisturize: Keep Your Skin Soft, Supple, and Glazed

Well, you've now exfoliated to a gleaming perfection, and it's time to lock in that glow. Welcome to the moisturization station! Moisturizing is the act of, well, adding moisture. It's a vital step in our guide on how to get glowing skin in 2023. Let's dive into the benefits:

Hydration: Hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Tremella Mushroom, Glycerin, Beta Glucan, and Sodium PCA are moisture magnets, drawing moisture to your skin and holding it there on the surface. They replenish the water content in your skin. This makes your skin feel soft, smooth, and hydrated.

Moisturize: Moisturizing ingredients are emollients that replace the lipids, or oils in your skin and keep your skin barrier from drying out. They hold the hydrating ingredients in and provide a layer of comfort to your skin. These are oils like Hemp Seed, Pomegranate, Rosehip, or Watermelon Seed, and include phospholipids and ceramides. Oils are what gives that glass skin glow and help to shield it from environmental stressors.
Nourishment: Many moisturizers contain active botanicals, vitamins, and antioxidants in their formulas. These ingredients feed your skin and contribute to a healthy-looking complexion.

But how do you find the right moisturizer? There's a whole world of serums, creams, lotions, and oils out there. If you have dry skin, look for a heavier, cream-based moisturizer or oil and slather it on! For oily skin, hydrating serums, and a lighter weight oil or moisturizer. The right non comedogenic oils can be used on oily skin!

Limit Alcohol and Tobacco: Their Impact on Skin Health

While a glass of red wine or a casual smoke might seem like harmless indulgences, they will definitely effect your skin. Both alcohol and tobacco have a knack for dulling your skin's natural radiance. Here’s why!

Alcohol: While it may help you unwind after a long day; alcohol is a diuretic. Simply put, it encourages your body to lose more water than it takes in. This leads to dehydration, and unfortunately, our skin is the first to bear the brunt. Dehydrated skin lacks the plumpness and glow of well-hydrated skin. Moreover, alcohol can cause inflammation and damage to your skin cells, leading to a dull and sallow complexion.
Tobacco: Lighting up a cigarette? You might as well be dimming the light on your skin's glow. The nicotine in cigarettes narrows the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. This impairs blood flow, depriving your skin of oxygen and essential nutrients. And if that wasn't enough, the heat from the burning end of a cigarette and the facial expressions made while smoking can contribute to wrinkles. Severe lip lines and yellow skin – no thank you!

So, vanity aside, it's worth considering some lifestyle changes that will not improve your skin, but your overall health will thank you too.

Stress Management: A Key to Unlocking Your Skin's Radiance

If there's one significant factor that often slips under the radar when considering what can improve your skin health, it’s stress. Yes, believe it or not, stress can put a major damper on your skin's glow. Let's explore how:

Stress and Your Skin: Ever noticed how your skin seems to break out when you're under a lot of stress? That's no coincidence. When you're stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. This hormone can cause your skin to produce more oil, leading to unwanted breakouts. Moreover, stress can worsen skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema.

Manage Stress, Manage Your Skin: The trick to curbing the skin-harming effects of stress doesn’t come in a bottle. It is part of a stress reducing lifestyle with activities like regular exercise, meditation, and even deep breathing can reduce stress levels. A good laugh with friends or a calming hobby can also do wonders.

Committing to Calm: So, as you plan your approach for how to calm skin, don't overlook stress management. Incorporating stress-busting activities into your daily routine will not only benefit your skin but also improve your overall well-being.

Facials and Visits to the Dermatologist

As we reach the end of our journey on how to look lit from within, we must address the subject of regular check-ups in the form of monthly or quarterly facials and a yearly visit to the Dermatologist. Now, you might be thinking—why would I need a skin check-up if I don't have any skin issues? Well, here’s why:

Prevention is Better Than Cure: A Dermatologist is who you see for a yearly skin check-up to help identify potential skin issues before they turn into problems, especially when it comes to identifying skin cancer lesions and skin diseases like Rosacea, Acne, Dermatitis, and Eczema. Early detection is key to maintaining healthy skin.

Regular Facials: A Licensed Esthetician is the person that you see monthly, or quarterly to give your skin a deep clean, extract your pimples, give you a professional exfoliation, and deeply hydrate your skin so that it looks fresh and new. Estheticians can help you fine-tune your skincare routine and recommend specific products or treatments that can enhance your skin's natural glow. This personalized approach can be a game changer for your skin, plus facials are relaxing and will make you feel amazing.

Consistency is key: Regular visits to your Dermatologist and Esthetician mean regular attention to your skin health. They provide a platform for you to express any skin concerns, learn about new skincare trends, and ensure your skin is getting the care it needs.

And there you have it! While it may seem overwhelming to do all the things we have outlined here, it really isn’t that difficult to begin implementing the lifestyle choices to improve your skin health. After all, achieving glowing skin isn't an overnight process. It's a journey. One that is unique to each of us. May you and your skin be healthy, happy, and glowing!