A how-to on getting the glowing skin at home
Glowing skin, great skin has a contagious energy that transcends age, something that doesn’t conform to a specific look or era. It’s not about concealing, but rather revealing; it’s about having really luminous, beautiful skin. That and the concept of anti-ageing becomes less relevant. Glowing skin is not achieved with a swipe of highlighter. It’s about intention, through our daily rituals, the foods we eat and the products we choose — discipline and dedication. And so this is a how-to on getting the glowing skin at home.
How to get glowing skin naturally
I am personally not that invested in makeup but I do believe that if you start with the skin; the better your skin is, the better your makeup is going to layer and look. This is about the process of getting that dewy, wet-looking radiance.
Massage your face for glowing skin Using your fingertips, massage a facial serum or oil into your skin — the stimulation increases blood flow, oxygenates muscle tissues and assists in the flow of the lymphatic system to wake up your whole complexion. Work your product into your face and neck for 2 to 4 minutes, using small and gentle circular motions sweeping upward from the neck to the forehead. Granting yourself this extra time for facial love can really help to work your products deeper into the skin.
Invest in a sea sponge or konjac sponge A konjac sponge is a skin buffing, refining K-beauty alternative to the washcloth, a natural sea sponge is another option. Both konjac and sea sponges contain natural minerals such as copper, zinc and iron which help remove toxins and excess dirt from the skin, refining skin texture. Natural sponges are an eco-friendly upgrade to plastic shower puffs and loafers — they also contain antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Don’t forget to sleep Make sleep a priority. If you’re sleeping, that’s going to show in your skin, so we see it all as connected back to general wellbeing. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night is so important, more if you need it. Prioritise sleep so you can be your best self all day long! And before you do, wash your face — every night. While we sleep, our skin detoxes, moving toward perfect balance, so everything we can do to support our skin before bed is going to have an impact.
Drink a lot of water Hydration is key, and every aspect of your health will benefit — including your skin. Water should be filtered. We have a countertop mineral ioniser and filter and there are great options for filters now. Prior to this, I had the Soma 6-Cup Water Filter Glass Carafe, the filters are made from renewable materials. Typically I will go through three litres of water daily, refilling a 1L Antipodes Sparkling Water bottle, it’s easier for me to track my intake. I would recommend lemon, it makes drinking water that bit easier and alkalises your system. For additional support, The Beauty Chef Collagen Inner Beauty Boost contains billions of digestive-balancing probiotics along with prebiotics, electrolytes and plant nutrients to increase collagen production. Designed to be taken daily expect plump, glowing skin.
Products for glowing skin
With your daily rituals in place, start by assessing your skincare routine. Adjust accordingly and layer on as many nutrients and hydration as you need. Read on and bring forth healthy, hydrated and glowing skin.
Exfoliate
There are two ways to exfoliate, and a lot will depend on your skin condition and preference. For most people, once or twice a week is plenty of exfoliation that can help slough off any dry skin. Manual or physical exfoliation is when you use a scrub, dry brush or washcloth to manually buff off dry skin and dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin. Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask delivers an instant glow, minimising the appearance of pores and improving texture. K-pop smooth texture. I also recently purchased the Josh Rosebrook Mini Mask Trio because I could not decide which one to buy first, and they’re all brilliant. The Active Enzyme Exfoliator contains herbal enzymes and acids to slough away dead skin cells so newer layers can shine.
Chemical exfoliation is when a chemical exfoliant is used to loosen up the glue that holds the cells together, sloughing off the loose cells. Chemical exfoliants can be lactic—best for brightening, glycolic or salicylic acid or fruit enzymes. This is my personal preferred method of exfoliation. Depending on the type of acid or enzyme, almost everyone can use chemical exfoliation. For those seeking something stronger, either the Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydrating Modeling Mask or Dr Dennis Gross Clinical Grade Resurfacing Liquid Peel are clinical-grade resurfacing treatments that correct skin tone, firm, reduce surface lines and with one use. For those starting with acids, I’d highly recommend picking up a bottle of Moon Juice Acid Potion. You leave it on overnight. Wake up with better skin. Easy. It contains Glycolic, Lactic and Salicylic — all resurfacing acids in a 25% AHA + BHA acid complex.
Cleanse, or double cleanse if that’s your thing
Cleansing is the foundation of any skincare regimen. Switch to an oil cleanser or even a balm cleanser — it’s for every skin type, even acne-prone. Deeply nourishing oils thoroughly remove unwanted oils that clog pores while simultaneously moisturising the skin. Two of my favourites are Kahina Giving Beauty Oil Cleanser — it gives me the dewiest, fed skin. You only need to apply a small amount, warm it in your hands, then massage it into your skin. Dr Dennis Gross Botanical Cleansing Bar is another cleanser option. Using an organic facial towel, compressing into your skin to help the cleanser penetrate.
Follow your cleanse with a nourishing, hydrating toner
Use toner before serum or moisturiser. A good toner should deeply hydrate and nourish — it’s like a glass of water for your skin. Your products will penetrate more deeply if your skin is hydrated. That, and restoring the skin’s innate healing can make your skin more receptive to masks and moisturisers. Flood your cells with Josh Rosebrook’s Hydrating Accelerator Moisturising Toner, vitamin-infused aloe water that is both toner and moisturiser. Expect dewy skin. Another, Kahina Giving Beauty’s Moroccan Water is 100% pure steam-distilled Rosa Damascena, an ultra moisturising, calming toner that plumps to minimise the appearance of redness and fine lines. With each of these mist generously over your face and neck, and then with your hands, press into your skin. For those requiring something extra, opt for a toner with glycolic acid such as The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. I think people bathe in it which is why you'll only find it only in 240ml.
Everyone needs Vitamin C
At the very least, this $13 tub of 100% L-Ascorbic Acid from The Ordinary. Vitamin C or Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid is a multi-beneficial ingredient. A must for acne-prone skin. Vitamin C promotes cellular turnover with the ability to increase collagen levels, brighten skin tone, reduce scarring and repair the effects of UV damage that our skin is exposed to on a daily basis.
I rotate between Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten + Firm, Vitamin C Serum that contains a proprietary vitamin C (3-O C technology) to boost collagen production—it delivers on its promise and Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum which is a super dose of antioxidants in one bottle.
Hydrate
And if you choose to use one, follow with a hydrating, glow-inducing facial oil. For me, this is an alternative to a cream moisturiser. Top your serum with a few drops of hydrating face oil such as Herbivore Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil which contains a hydrating blend of omegas and adaptogens. Press oil into your skin for deeper absorption. Next on my list is Sand & Sky Tasmanian Spring Water - Hydration Boost Cream. It contains hyaluronic acid—the cherub face ingredient.
Your final step, SPF
In New Zealand, especially the sun casts a powerful glare, even during the winter months. Sun protection is a must. And also, since you’re using Vitamin C, SPF is a must. A hydrating cream such as Aesop’s Sage & Zinc Facial Hydrating Cream SPF15 is an option. I’m currently using Suntegrity 5 IN 1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30 — it’s also a BB cream. One for the minimalists. Massage into skin and apply as required.
Everything we create is an effort to participate in a culture shift. All products featured are independently selected and curated by the authors, and we only feature items we use or would use ourselves that align with our values. As part of our business model, we do work with affiliates such as Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases if you decide to purchase through our links. The price would be the same to you either way, but if you find value in our work, then these affiliate links are a way to support it. We only recommend brands, makers and products we use — that we support. Transparency is important to us, so if you have any questions, please reach out to us.