Many things can cause a dull complexion, including lack of sleep, poor diet, and skipping your skin care routine. The good news is there are easy ways to combat dullness and get you the glow you crave.
Glowing, radiant skin is enviable. It can mean different things to different people, but bright-looking skin is often associated with good health. When skin is healthy, it's smooth, firm, and vibrant in a natural way that can't be replicated with makeup.
Still, radiant skin takes a bit of pampering. Here are five tips and tricks on how to get radiant skin.
1. Exfoliate
Dull skin typically occurs when dead skin cells sit on the top layer of your epidermis. You can remove dead skin cells by exfoliating to reveal even-toned, radiant skin.
There are some downsides to exfoliation though, like dryness, redness, and irritation. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you'll want to be careful when using this method. According to board-certified Dermatologist Dr. Rina Allawh, those with sensitive or dry skin should stick to exfoliating just once to twice a week. Dr. Allawh says those with oily skin benefit most from exfoliating and can do it three to five times a week if their skin can take it.
2. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is recovery time for your body and overall health—and that includes your skin, too. As you're sleeping, your skin rebuilds collagen and repairs any damage done by the sun and other environmental aggressors. Not getting enough sleep can wreak havoc all around. Research shows that sleep deprivation can result in a fatigued facial appearance, including darker undereye circles, lackluster skin, and increased fine lines.
The Sleep Foundation recommends getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep every night to let your body fully restore itself. You'll not only feel good inside when you do, but you'll look better on the outside, too.
3. Eat Well
While you can definitely indulge here and there to treat yourself, maintaining a healthy diet will keep your skin consistently glowing. The Mayo Clinic recommends you stay hydrated and keep a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These efforts can go a long way in supporting both internal health and outward appearance.
4. Wear Sunscreen
Sunscreen does more than just significantly decrease your chances of getting skin cancer; it's an important skin care step in getting a luminous complexion.
The sun can cause a number of skin concerns, including acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Using sunscreen can help shield your skin from these potential side effects of sun exposure and keep your skin looking healthy and radiant. Just remember to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, like the EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 and follow good sunscreen practices, such as reapplying every two hours wherever your skin is exposed.
5. Stay Consistent with Your Nighttime Routine
A nighttime skin care routine can boost the benefits that sleep provides. So, it's important to build a regular routine that suits your skin type and keeps your skin supple and healthy-looking. You'll first want to identify your skin type (dry, oily, sensitive, mature, or combination), so you can look for the right products with the ingredients that work for you and target your most pressing concerns.
Ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin, and antioxidants can be beneficial to all skin types as they help strengthen your skin's barrier. You can even opt for something like the EltaMD Skin Recovery System, which contains amino acids that keep skin hydrated, strengthen your skin's immune system, and reduce signs of aging.
Now that you know how to get radiant skin, you can focus on perfecting your skin care routine and preserving that gorgeous glow. In the end, your skin—and your body—will thank you.