1
Exfoliate
Sure, you've heard that exfoliating your skin is important, but to achieve glowing skin, it is amust. Try exfoliators that contain alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid. Try a triple-action scrub that contains glycolic acid to promote natural exfoliation and clay extract to cleanse skin and tighten pores.
Note:
At-home peels are another effective path to smoother, more even-toned skin and generally contain up to 30 percent glycolic acid, whereas a dermatologist can use up to 70 percent concentrations for more dramatic results.
2
Detox your body
It is true: The outside of your body reflects what's going on inside of it. Skin conditions develop when the skin can't do its job of eliminating toxins efficiently, which happens because the other eliminative organs are overloaded as well. Talk to a natural health care professional to find a detox program that works for you, or take a load off your system and benefit your skin by doing the following:
- Drink warm lemon water each day to help flush toxins from the body.
- Cut out sugar and alcohol for a few days (at least five) to give your body and skin a break.
- Up your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables to boost the amount of skin-saving nutrients you're getting.
- Limit salty snacks, which can cause swelling and water retention.
3
Apply topical nutrition
Two great antioxidant boosters are green tea and grape seed extract. "These powerful bioflavonoids play a unique role in protecting vitamin C from oxidation, thereby allowing your skin to reap more benefits from it," explains Amy Chalmers, CDT and USANA Health Sciences spokesperson. "They also play an additional role in helping skin look younger and brighter as they defend against elements such as sun, stress and pollution that can damage collagen and accelerate the visible signs of aging."
4
Try coconut oil
Virgin coconut oil has the ability to restore and rejuvenate damaged skin. It heals, repairs and leaves your skin radiant. Coconut oil has excellent antioxidant properties and helps to destroy free radicals. It also can even out your skin tone, giving it a more healthy-looking texture and a subtle glow.
5
Use radiance-boosting makeup
Try the celebrities' secret to glowing skin to get that "lit from within" look: Apply an illuminating cream under your makeup. Check out Nars Illuminator($30) to easily take your skin from dull to bright and healthy. Bronzers are also excellent for creating a healthy glow. Choose an illuminating shade rather than a matte one and apply it everywhere the sun hits your face, including your forehead, nose and cheeks.
6
Get your daily dose of vitamin C
Vitamins for skin are so important, particularly vitamin C, which is the key to achieving a bright, even complexion, notes Erin Ferrill, East Coast educator for HydroPeptide. "The brightening qualities of this well-known vitamin make it the perfect companion for anyone struggling with age spots, sun damage or those who just want a makeup-free pick me up," Ferrill says. It should also be noted that when vitamin C and vitamin E are taken together internally, they have been shown to increase the ability of the skin to protect itself from sun damage. It has even been hypothesized that this combination might give your skin a natural sun protection (SPF) of 2, she says. "While this is no excuse to ditch the sunscreen, it is a great way to give your skin a fighting chance against the damaging rays of the sun. Look for products that combine vitamin C with gentle exfoliants and natural skin brighteners like bearberry, licorice, mulberry and brightening peptides."
7
Suck on an ice cube
Did you know that sucking on an ice cube chills all of the millions of cells in your cheeks and lips, causing an increase in circulation, and resulting in plumper, more rosy-looking skin? Well, according to Annie Tevelin, founder of SkinOwl, it's true! "This is a great glow-fix mid-dinner or before taking a picture to restore fatigued skin to a more peaches and cream complexion."
8
Try juicing
We're sure you've heard that glowing skin begins with what you eat, but when you're a busy girl on the go (like us) how the heck are you supposed to get in all your fruits and veggies? Easy, try juicing! Jayna DiMartino, California Educator for HydroPeptide, says she fills her diet with nutrient rich superfoods, such as kale, broccoli, spinach, rainbow chard, celery, cucumber, ginger and beets, by juicing. "Traveling as much as I do, it's not always easy finding a Whole Foods or a juice bar so I make sure to take my green meal capsules with all the dark leafy greens and spirulina," she notes.
9
Remember: Vitamins B and D are key
Vitamin B not only increases blood flow to your cells, but it's also integral to skin generation and slowing the signs of aging, notes celebrity makeup artist Julia Papworth. "An increase in vitamin B in the system translates to a decrease in redness and irritation in the skin." Additionally, Jolie Martin, director and laser skincare expert at New York City's SKINNEY Medspa, suggests taking vitamin D. "If deficient in vitamin D, skin can appear sallow and more prone to congestion and breakouts," she says.
10
Get some beauty sleep
Sleep affects your physical and mental well being. "When you sleep, you're allowing your body to begin the proper healing process," Chalmers says. "Try a melatonin supplement to help regulate your natural sleep cycles and get your body back on track." This will, in turn, lead to glowing skin.
Tip:
Jackie Burns Brisman, senior editor at spafinder.com, recommends the following vitamins for skin to enhance your complexion and give you that gorgeous glow:
- Omega-3 fatty acids: salmon, spinach and walnuts
- Vitamin C: citrus fruits, chili peppers, bell peppers, dark leafy greens, broccoli
- Vitamin E: almonds, squash and grape seed oil
- Zinc: Greek yogurt
- Vitamin A: yams and sweet potatoes
- Lycopene: a great antioxidant found in tomatoes
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