7 Ways To Boost Your Skin’s Natural Glow, Naturally

Despite what the television ads and magazines and high-priced salons would have you believe, you don’t need to spend a month’s worth of pay on skincare product to get a glowing complexion. In fact, by making slight lifestyle changes, and putting to use products you already own, you can enhance your skin’s natural glow and enjoy a radiant complexion at every stage of life.

Honor Your Daily Skincare Routine

This may sound obvious, but you can’t achieve glowing, healthy skin if you don’t take care of it on a daily basis. Your skin, like any other part of your body, requires daily attention to be at its best. The most basic skincare routine should consist of cleansing and moisturizing, though it won’t hurt to throw in a Vitamin-C serum, an exfoliant, sun protection, masks and other fun products.

Exfoliate

If you’re not exfoliating, you’re doing your complexion a disservice. We shed millions of skin cells on a daily basis, and if you’re not actively removing the ones that don’t fall off naturally, your skin is going to take on a grayish complexion regardless of your natural skin tone. Reveal the new cells and all the beauty they bring by gently exfoliating once or twice a week. Sugar scrubs are good for individuals with sensitive skin, while grainy scrubs made of nuts are great for everyone else.

Wear SPF

We know you know, but seriously, do it: Wear sunscreen. Sun is the primary cause of weakened collagen and the dull, lackluster complexion that comes with it. On a more serious note, exposure to UV rays is also the primary cause of skin cancer in young women. Protect your complexion and your health by applying SPF daily.

Drink Your Eight Cups

When your skin is dry and patchy, the problem goes deeper than the skin’s surface. If you’re dehydrated on the inside, it will reflect in your complexion, as lack of hydration causes the skin to become thinner. Literally. Make sure you’re drinking your eight cups of water a day, or more. Also, avoid dehydrating beverages, such as coffee and alcohol.

Rest Up

If you’re breaking out or getting rashes along your jawline, the cause may be too much stress. When you’re stressed out, your fight or flight response kicks in, meaning your body sends blood to your vital organs. Though you may love your face, it is not a “vital organ,” and the lack of blood flow to it may leave your complexion looking sallow.

Though it’s easier said than done, try to stress less and rest more. Get a good night’s sleep each night, practice meditation, exercise and treat yourself to a massage. Try to stress as little as possible to ensure a continued, healthy flow of blood to your face.

Turn Down the Heat

Though you might be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t love a long, hot shower, hot water is not your skin’s friend. Hot water strips the natural oils from your skin, leaving it dry, tight and dull looking. Though it might take some getting used to, keep your showers cold and short to boost your complexion’s natural glow.

Take Your Daily Multivitamin

Nothing can replace whole, natural foods, but even if you maintain a healthy diet of fruits, veggies, fish, healthy meats and whole grains, it’s impossible for you to get the daily recommended amounts of minerals from food alone. Trace metals, which include zinc, iron, selenium and copper, are vital to your body’s ability to produce antioxidants, which protect the skin. So, to ensure you’re receiving all the minerals you need, take a daily multivitamin that is right for your age and gender.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on skincare products to obtain a glowing complexion. Simply take care of your skin as you do your heart, stomach, hair and other aspects of your body, and you’ll soon be glowing from the inside out.