If there’s one thing we’re all after when it comes to our skin, it’s radiance. Glowing, healthy skin is the ultimate goal. Achieving said complexion isn’t always easy, especially when you’re battling with external factors like pollution, UV rays and stress. However, armed with the right information and hardworking skincare products, radiance can be within your reach. Here’s how to do it.
Double cleanse
Cleansing is the cornerstone of creating a glowing complexion. Double cleansing morning and night is crucial for maintaining healthy and radiant skin. “It removes the grime that’s accumulated on the surface of the skin and preps a blank canvas for the glow-boosting skincare that follows,” dermal facialist Jennifer Rock explained. When your skin is properly cleansed the active ingredients in your serums can work their magic without contending with a barrier of dead skin cells and sebum (aka oil).
Include exfoliation in your routine
Regular exfoliation helps to prevent bacteria and clogged pores and also increases blood circulation. Aesthetic doctor Dr. Pamela Benito recommends a chemical exfoliant: “These work by dissolving the ‘glue’ that attaches dead skin cells to the surface of the skin to reveal a brighter, clearer complexion underneath”. An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) like glycolic acid is the classic choice here but there are others too. Lactic acid, for instance, is great for those with sensitive skin. “It’s got a larger molecular size than glycolic acid which means it’s more skin respectful and gentler on the skin,” Rock clarified.
For those where oiliness or congestion is also an issue, it’s best to try a BHA, like salicylic acid, for that exfoliating hit. “It’s got a smaller molecular size which means it can permeate further into the skin than an AHA to purge pores of sebum and dead skin cells and it’s also antibacterial,” Rock highlighted.
Use active ingredients
Including an active ingredient in your routine morning and night will supercharge your routine. When it comes to creating radiant skin, the morning routine demands an antioxidant ingredient like vitamin C. This is particularly important if you live in a city and are exposed to high levels of pollution. “Pollutants can trigger the skin to enter a state of oxidative stress, which results in free radicals (read: unpaired electrons) attacking healthy skin cells. Antioxidants neutralize free radical activity by giving the unstable molecules a spare electron, thereby reducing the damage to the skin,” Rock explained.
Come evening, all skin can benefit from vitamin A, also known as retinol. “This rebuilds collagen and promotes cellular turnover revealing brighter skin,” Dr. Benito noted. Remember with retinol to start slowly and build it into your routine a few times a week before moving up to daily.
Keep your skin hydrated
Hydrated and healthy-looking skin naturally looks radiant. Subsequently, including some sort of hydrating moisturizer or serum will ensure you get the glow we all crave. Dr. Benito recommends hyaluronic acid, especially at night. “There is a high value of trans-epidermal water loss overnight so it is very important to replenish the skin using a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid. This deeply hydrates the skin reducing the effects of water loss.”
Always wear SPF
All skincare routines should include SPF. Protecting your skin from the sun is the best way to prevent skin aging and loss of radiance over time. After all, 80% of skin aging is believed to be done by the sun. “In the morning, make sure you apply SPF30 or higher. Check it is broad-spectrum meaning the product protects against UVA and UVB rays,” Dr. Benito advises.
Do a weekly facial
Beyond your daily skincare routine, a weekly facial can ensure your radiance levels are topped up. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to do this is by doing some sort of facial massage. This can be done with your hands or a tool like a gua sha or jade roller. “Massaging your skin promotes increased blood circulation, which encourages healthy, plump and radiant skin. With proper technique, a facial massage can also help to drain lymphatic fluid that’s built up causing the skin to appear puffy and swollen,” Rock described. Apply a moisturizer or facial oil to the skin and always work upwards and outwards of the face.
Invest in at-home gadgets
Thanks to the increasingly innovative selection of at-home gadgets, you can get impressive results at home. Dr. Benito recommends both a microneedling facial tool or a LED mask. “Microneedling stimulates cellular turnover, improves skin texture and reduces facial wrinkles while LED light can promote wound healing and tissue regeneration, help stimulate collagen production and improve your skin complexion.”
Book at in-clinic treatment
While you can achieve a lot with an at-home skincare routine and weekly facials or gadgets, booking to see a professional can improve your skin even further. “Skin rejuvenation treatments such as microneedling, chemical peels, PRP facials and skin boosters are a great way of improving your skin hydration, texture and radiance,” Dr. Benito suggested. Rock also recommends Galvanic Therapy: “ It uses low-level currents to penetrate the dermal layer of the skin to boost skin regeneration at a cellular level. It can help to address uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation and dull, lackluster skin.”
Look at your lifestyle
Taking a 360 approach is important too. Ensuring you follow a healthy diet can help your skin look radiant from within. “I would encourage you to be mindful of what you’re feeding your body, which means eating a rainbow of fruit and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and consuming fatty acids galore from nuts and seeds,” Rock suggests. To enhance your skin further, you could consider adding supplements to your routine. “I would look out for supplements that contain omegas, which are like your skin’s internal moisturizers, Vitamin A, which helps to re-educate the skin, and hyaluronic acid, to replenish your skin’s stores of moisture for plump, hydrated skin,” she recommends.
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