How To Maintain Skincare Tips For Glowing Skin That Actually Works

Any beauty expert will tell you that the secrets to radiant skin aren’t found in the pan of a highlighter palette. That’s not to say you can’t have a dewy, lit-from-within appearance with products that melt into your skin. (If you’ve tried Pat McGrath’s Skin Fetish collection, you’ll agree that her highlighter duo is the next best thing to being born a Hadid.) Rather, achieving a complexion that looks as if you’ve just returned from vacation—that is, healthy, bright, and clear—requires a combination of product, practice, and patience. The good news is that there are still plenty of quick-fix options if you’re short on the latter. skincare tips for glowing skin

How To Maintain Skincare Tips For Glowing Skin That Actually Works

We polled a group of makeup artists, aestheticians, dermatologists, and our beauty editors for their top suggestions for glowing skin that works—both long-term and short-term, for your face and body—regardless of your degree of dedication or talent. Continue reading for their tried-and-true tips on how to achieve radiant skin.

A short facial massage can make a big difference.

A two-minute facial massage might help you look more awake in the short term, as well as firm and contour your face over time, if you’re feeling down. “Massage a serum or oil into your face with your hands before applying makeup,” recommends Molly R. Stern, a celebrity makeup artist who works with Cara Delevingne. “The stimulation can help to get your circulation flowing and awaken your entire complexion.” If you have some extra time on your hands, try this face “exercise” to help strengthen your facial muscles and improve circulation.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil ($62) Image may contain: Bottle, Cosmetics, Perfume, and Aftershave
Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex by Estée Lauder
Dermstore 2: $105 $89 Consider getting a microcurrent therapy.
If your hands aren’t up to the task, consider using a microcurrent gadget. “I use the ZIIP device, which distributes electric currents into your skin, when my complexion appears dull after a long travel or late night,” explains April Long, a beauty editor and contributor. “After twelve minutes, my face is luminous and firmer.” For similar results, several Glamour editors swear by the NuFace and Foreo Bear.

Facial Toning Device Foreo Bear

A healthy glow doesn’t have to be expensive, and celebrity aesthetician Renee Rouleau’s favorite tip is completely free. “My long-term strategy for attaining that lit-from-within glow is hanging my head upside down for three minutes every day,” she explains. Isn’t that strange? It helps with circulation, believe it or not, because it improves blood flow and oxygen to your face. Just don’t go any longer than the three minutes she recommends.

Make a hydrating mask at home.

When it comes to exfoliation and blemish removal, avoid the DIY way and opt for professional-grade treatments. If you’re looking for hydration, though, you can make a moisturizing mask in your own kitchen. Joanna Vargas, a famous aesthetician, adds, “I have a terrific DIY at-home mask solution for dry winter skin.” “It contains yogurt, which has a lactic acid component and is anti-inflammatory, as well as avocado, which I recommend for any skin type because it is high in B vitamins and fatty acids.” I also add a little honey to keep things hydrated.”

Combine half a cup of plain yogurt, half an avocado, and a quarter cup of honey, then apply on your face for 20 minutes. “It’ll completely change your skin,” she says.

Strengthen your base.

If your skin care isn’t quite up to par, you may simply simulate a glow by using a heavier foundation. Gita Bass, Elizabeth Olsen’s makeup artist, suggests adding a few drops of luminizer to your moisturizer or foundation, such as L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glow Boosting Drops. She explains, “It will create an even, translucent film of gloss that looks more natural than a highlighter.”

L’Oréal True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops $15 at L’Oréal Paris Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlight L’Oréal True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops $15 at L’Oréal Paris Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlight
courtesy of the manufacturer

Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlight is $40 and can be found at Iconic London 6. Face shimmer can be used on the collarbones.
Because glowing skin doesn’t stop at the face, legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath recommends using a highlighter for your décolletage as well. She claims that her Skin Fetish highlighter stick “works brilliantly as a body shimmer.”

Her finest piece of advise for wearing it in a way that looks natural rather than contrived? She explains, “The idea is to lean your shoulders forward so your collarbones peek out; that’s where you want it.” McGrath then suggests dusting a powder over top for even more radiance: “It takes wonderful pictures.”

Skin Fetish Highlighter & Balm Duo by Pat McGrath Labs courtesy of the brand

Guerlain Terracotta Highlighter Stick Courtesy of brand Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Highlighter & Balm Duo $48 at Pat McGrath Labs

Terracotta Highlighter Stick by Guerlain is $48 at Guerlain 7. Toner should be applied before serum or moisturizer.
It goes without saying that using a good moisturizer is essential for beautiful, healthy skin, but what you use before it is just as important: toner. Toners have a bad reputation for doing nothing or stripping your skin completely, but the new generation is crucial for moisturizing and preparing your skin. “Think of it like a glass of water for your skin,” explains Mist Beauty owner Nachi Click. “If your skin is moisturized, serums and lotions can penetrate deeper.” Check out some of our faves below, and go here to view some of our top toners.

Bottle, Shampoo, and Shaker are examples of items that may be seen in this image.
courtesy of the manufacturer

Soko Glam’s Good (Skin) Days Prime Time Cleansing Toner is $18.
Deep Hydration Toner with Fresh Roses
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Toner, $45 at Fresh Image, may contain the following ingredients: Shampoo, Shaker, and Bottle
Laneige Skin Toner & Moisturizer Cream
Laneige is $33
The following items may be present in the image: Shampoo, Shaker, and Bottle
PCA Skin Hydrating Toner is a toner that hydrates the skin.
PCA Skin 8 charges $40. Boost the integrity of your skin’s barrier.
Exfoliating two to three times a week is beneficial to your skin, but any more than that puts your skin’s barrier function at danger (i.e., its ability to keep moisture in and damaging elements like free radicals out). Flakes, dryness, and discomfort can all be caused by a weakened barrier. The good news is that treatments have been developed specifically to improve and repair your skin barrier (look for keywords like soothing, replenishing, and barrier repair on the label). The Thank You Farmer Back to Relax Soothing Gel Mask is a favorite of Charlotte Cho, cofounder of Soko Glam, and we enjoy Dr. Loretta’s Intense Replenishing Serum.

Farmer, I appreciate it. Thank You Farmer’s Back to Relax Soothing Gel Mask is $38.
On a white background, a pale pink bottle of Dr. Loretta Replenishing Serum.
courtesy of the manufacturer

Add vitamin C to your daily routine for $70 at Dr. Loretta

Any skin specialist will tell you that a vitamin C serum is essential for glowing skin. “Each morning, apply five drops of vitamin C serum underneath your SPF to target free radical damage, help brighten dark spots, and even out your skin tone,” explains Natalie Smyth, a skin-care influencer. Check out some of our favorites below, or click here to see more vitamin C serums.

 Use a chemical exfoliant instead.

Replace your traditional face scrub with a chemical exfoliant, such as a peel or serum that contains AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs, which are gentler on your skin. “Physical exfoliants sand the surface of your skin,” says New York dermatologist Dennis Gross, M.D., “whereas acids break up the bonds that hold dead skin in place to gently remove it.” When used consistently, chemical exfoliators have an added benefit: “By accelerating cell turnover, you’ll accelerate the synthesis of new collagen,” explains Gross. “Over time, you’ll see a firming effect.”

 Go on a binge-watching binge

While most of us keep sheet masks for special occasions or spa nights, if your skin is acting up, consider using them on a daily basis. “I’ll do sheet masks like St. Ives Glowing Apricot Sheet Mask for seven days straight when my face feels drab,” says Violet Grey beauty director Maureen Choi. “It has a moisturizing and smoothing compounding effect that gives you a crazy glow by the end of the week.”

Drink, Juice, Beverage, Orange Juice, and Plant St. Ives Glowing Apricot Face Mask Sheet $3 at Target Garnier Skin Active Moisture Bomb Anti-Fatigue Sheet Mask St. Ives Glowing Apricot Face Mask Sheet $3 at Target
courtesy of the manufacturer

Anti-Fatigue Sheet Mask by Garnier Skin Active Moisture Bomb $4 at Garnier 12. Pay special care to your pores.
For a particular event or occasion when you want to seem extra radiant, Miami dermatologist Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D. suggests removing “background noise,” or “small things that aren’t very obvious but when removed make skin look faultless.” She likes to use Bioré Pore Strips to get rid of blackheads on her nose and chin, for example.

Bioré 13 is $8. Consider getting a laser treatment.

Consider including a yearly laser treatment in your skin-care routine if it’s within your budget to freshen, brighten, and revitalize your skin in a manner that topical creams can’t. “I favor quarterly resurfacing with the Clear & Brilliant laser [$300 to $1,000 each session],” says dermatologist Robert Anolik of New York City. “If you’re over 30, choose a more powerful annual Fraxel Dual [$600 to $1,800].” Both help to erase sun spots that make skin appear lackluster.”

Replace your old loofah with a new one.

Again, glowing skin isn’t just for your face. Try kneading a salt scrub all over your body in the shower, then rinsing it off with a Korean washcloth, which is considerably coarser than a typical one. “The combination sloughs off dead cells for the smoothest skin ever,” explains Mylah Morales, a famous makeup artist.

Amazon has an Asian Exfoliating Bath Washcloth for $10. Relax and unwind.
Literally. Using cold water, a freeze tool, or other products to de-puff your face and enhance blood flow is a quick and easy approach to do so. While you may spend a lot of money on rollers or a dedicated skin-care freezer, Thuyen Nguyen, Cindy Crawford’s facialist, swears by something a little less expensive: ice cubes. “I rub ice cubes over my face till they melt before and after a flight,” she explains. “This skin shocker is a hit with my pores.” skincare tips for glowing skin

Use texture layers.

Double up on highlighters to take your glow from Glossier to YouTuber. “Use a powder highlighter on top of a cream to provide an extra layer of radiance,” suggests makeup artist Erin Parsons, who frequently works with Gigi Hadid. Take a look at how she uses a highlighter to catch the light in the photo below.

The one she’s currently devoted to? She explains, “I love the Maybelline FaceStudio Master Chrome Highlighter because it’s not glittery or chunky—it just offers the ultimate gleam.” Also, don’t miss out on our guide to the best highlighters.

Maybelline FaceStudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter is a highlighter by Maybelline.
courtesy of the manufacturer

Maybelline FaceStudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter is $10 and is available at Maybelline stores.
Cosmetics and Face Makeup may be seen in this image.
Fenty Beauty is a line of cosmetics created by Rih Fenty Beauty’s Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter is $36. Microneedling is a technique that can be used to treat a variety of ailments
Although it may appear frightening, an in-office microneedling therapy can help with acne and dullness. If you want super-glowy skin, dermatologist Annie Chiu, M.D. advises the Aquagold Fine Touch, a procedure that combines microneedling and a hyaluronic acid filler injection “to give you a dewy, moisturized appearance while promoting new collagen formation.” If an in-office treatment is out of your budget (sessions can cost anywhere from $300 to $600), try at-home microneedling.

Take a long soak in the tub.

Lindsay Schallon, senior beauty editor at Glamour, recommends soaking in a luxurious bath before exfoliating. “My skin is softer, more cleansed, and baby smooth after only one soak with Herbivore Detox,” she adds. After that, use one of these incredible body scrubs.

Apply foundation in a stippling (rather than a swiping) motion.

The manner you apply your foundation is just as crucial as the foundation you use for a truly even glow (check out our favorite lightweight foundations, here). The secret, according to famous makeup artist Daniel Martin, who did Meghan Markle’s wedding makeup, is to buff rather than swipe. “To create a perfect, diffused finish, lightly buff and swirl your makeup brush coated in foundation over your skin,” he explains. “Imagine polishing your automobile without the pressure.” When you apply makeup in light, circular motions to establish coverage, it looks smooth and streak-free.” skincare tips for glowing skin

Glamour’s senior beauty editor is Lindsay Schallon. Lindsay Challons can be found on Instagram as @lindsayschallon.

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