Ask a million people how to get glowing skin, and you’ll get a million different answers. There isn’t a single skincare potion, lotion, mask or formula that isn’t conspiring to provide you with the glowiest skin of your life—a quick stroll down the beauty aisle will prove that the entire industry is unified in the quest to ensure that your skin shines with the luminosity of a thousand stars.
1) Listen to your grandma
Fuller’s earth has long served as a beauty staple in Indian households, and celebrity dermatologist Dr Jamuna Pai recommends it as a one-stop solution for exfoliation, hydration and depigmentation. Make yours at home by mixing one tablespoon of multani mitti with a teaspoon of honey and yoghurt each. Add a quarter teaspoon of lemon juice to achieve fluid consistency and apply it once a week for best results.
2) Supplement your efforts
While a wholesome diet is the key to glowing skin, beauty supplements can give your skin a gentle, nutrient-loaded nudge in the right direction. Dr Pai advises adding glutathione, sodium hyaluronate and Vitamin C to your radar. She adds, “Zinc can help in boosting the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid reserves, collagen and elastin fibres. This makes the skin supple and leaves it glowing.”
3) Make friends with chemical peels
If you’re looking to give your skin a do-over, chemical peels can get to the core of your skincare concerns with much greater nimbleness than an abrasive physical scrub. The Mumbai-based dermatologist recommends the holy grail of AHA and BHA peels for hydration and exfoliation—the two good guys that can ensure your skin maintains its healthy glow.
4) Consider medical facials
In Dr Pai’s book, facials are the best way to rejuvenate dull, tired-looking skin as lack of hydration makes it look dull and accentuates wrinkles. She says, “It helps increase blood circulation, improves the lymphatic drainage which effectively hydrates and detoxifies the skin. Medical-based facials with potent actives like Vitamin C, niacinamide and collagen-based masks are proven to enhance the natural glow of the skin.”
5) Look to skin-hydrating injections
If you’re looking to hydrate your skin beyond just feeding it eight glasses of water, she advises skin hydrating injections for an extra boost of moisture. She says, “Hyaluronic acid or gel injections helps bind water in the dermis, thus hydrating the skin from within. Apart from hydrating and enhancing the glow of the skin, they also help get rid of fine lines and wrinkles. This collectively gives the skin a natural lustre and reverses the signs of ageing.”
6) The double cleansing deal
Denise Rabor, founder of WOW Beauty, confirms that glowing skin is all about the base. Her first piece of advice to new clients? Double cleansing, because the first cleanse lifts dirt and grime and the second one washes them away. Pollutants, make-up and grime can accumulate on the skin leading to dullness and breakouts which can erode your skin’s glow, she believes.
7) Put your faith in chemical exfoliants
When choosing skincare products, she recommends paying attention to ingredients that will enhance your skin’s ability to radiate luminosity. She affirms, “Vitamin C serums make for effective glow-givers as it’s a powerful antioxidant which works to improve pigmentation and prevent dark spots. Chemical exfoliants will also help in removing dead skin cells and effectively cleansing the skin for a healthy glow.”
8) Look at what’s on your plate
What you’re applying on your skin is just as important as what you’re putting within. Rabor recommends a balanced diet with antioxidant-rich foods and essential fatty acids which are crucial for healthy, glowing skin. “Turmeric is loaded with antioxidants is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. The powder is even used as a face mask to help boost glow,” she adds.
9) Get frosty
There’s a reason why the first rule of glowing skin is clocking in restful sleep at night. The skin restores and rejuvenates itself when you sleep, and an irregular sleeping pattern can take its toll on your skin. On those days when you’re looking to mask the effects of a late night, Rabor has a few tricks up her sleeve. “Just wrap some ice cubes in a muslin cloth or a cotton handkerchief and massage it into the skin to reduce any signs of puffiness and boost circulation for a rosy glow,” she says.
10) Make room for overnight masks
If you’d like to hit reset on your skin, a sleeping mask can further aid your efforts. Consider these water-based formulas as a super-powered moisturiser, working hard to keep your skin from losing any moisture during your time in between the sheets. Prepare to wake up to hydrated, glowing skin that looks and feels renewed.
11) Don’t forget topical hydration
If you’re in the quest for lit-from-within skin, a good moisturiser is a non-negotiable ally. Rabor advises elevating your moisturising routine with hyaluronic acid for increasing the moisture content of your skin and achieving that dewy glow. She says, “Don’t forget to apply it immediately after a hot bath to truly reap its benefits.”
