The not so secret way to get glowing skin
Despite Mother Nature’s fickleness, spring is on its way. After a seemingly endless onslaught of winter wind and snow, it’s time to show your skin some love.
Gently exfoliate your face to get rid of the dull look dead skin cells can give you. After months of winter weather, your skin is probably sensitive, so being gentle with it is important.
Rather than use a product with chunky seeds, try Yes To Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub, $9.99. Using a scrub every day can be harsh for some skin types; try exfoliating 2-3 times a week for an even skin tone.
A weekly facial mask is like a work out for your skin because it keeps it in shape. A good facial mask is like the more intense version of your cleanser, exfoliant and moisturizer combined. A mask that promises to hydrate your skin will leave a protective layer of oils on your skin.
Oatifix, a fresh facemask from Lush, $6.95, will sooth and soften skin. It is made without preservatives so it needs to be used within 2 weeks and kept in a refrigerator.
Your skin won’t glow if you don’t moisturize it. Try a lighter moisturizer for the day and something a little heavier at night. Your daytime moisturizer needs to have at least SPF 15. Using SPF over time will slow down signs of aging. At night, your skin cells turn over faster, so it will absorb a heavier moisturizer and get the full effects.
Cataphil’s Daily Facial Moisturizer, SPF 15, $12.49, is a basic moisturizer that will work with most skin types. Exfoliate your skin at night because moisturizers with SPF can sting on freshly-scrubbed skin.
For nighttime, try Ponds Dry Skin Cream, $4.49. A little goes a long way with this deeply moisturizing cream.
Serums were recently the newest craze in the beauty world. They fall into your beauty routine between your toner and moisturizer. A pea size amount, no matter the brand, goes over your face and works to even skin tone before you moisturize.
A serum might be the most expensive step in your beauty routine because they are so concentrated. They don’t have the thickeners moisturizers have.
Yes To Grapefruit Dark Spot Correcting Serum, $19.99, helps fade dark spots left by acne or the sun. Use more than a pea size and the product will clump up.
Diet can also brighten skin. Red and orange foods, like strawberries and carrots, will give skin a natural glow. Staying hydrated with water keeps skin clear and glowing.
Build your own skin-brightening mask. Start with a base; two parts sugar and one part honey. Pick two to three ingredients from the list below.
Plain Greek Yogurt: Yogurt deeply hydrates skin.
Mashed Strawberries: Strawberries even out skin tone and the seeds exfoliate.
Mashed Avocado/Olive Oil/Coconut Oil: All three of these ingredients are full of healthy fats that will leave a hydrating layer on your skin after you wash it off.