Having glowing skin is all anyone wants nowadays and achieving it is easier than one might think! With a couple of tips and recommendations, you can too enjoy a glowing skin complexion all year long.
Of course, this doesn’t mean it won’t take some effort on your part. While our suggestions might come as a bit of a lifestyle change they will definitely be worth it in the end when you have naturally glowing skin as soon as you wake up.
Focus on Your Health
What goes into your body plays a fundamental role in how your skin looks. Making sure you’re taking care of your body properly is a great first step to having radiant skin. The two main points you want to look out for are what you’re eating and what you’re drinking.
Sure, you can moisturize your skin from the outside to keep your tan glowing, but it’s just as important to hydrate it from the inside, too. Of course, the age-old rule of eight glasses per day is a great start, but sipping constantly throughout the day and drinking even more than the standard 64 ounces of water is ideal. Your body will thank you, and your skin will be able to keep its sexy, tanned glow for longer.
When it comes to drinking the best thing you can go for is water! Water is amazing not only for your overall health but it has great benefits for your skin and skin texture.
Just like hydration needs to happen both inside and outside, you can also encourage your skin to take on a healthy glow from the inside out! Carotene, an antioxidant found in many fruits and veggies, works within your body to add warmth to your natural skin tone—yes, really! To add more carotene to your diet and boost your tan, try eating carrots, kale, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.
When it comes to food you want to focus on eating healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, protein, fruits, and vegetables! These are great sources of vitamins, like vitamin C, and antioxidants that occur naturally. Lemons, oranges, spinach, avocados, and blueberries are all packed with key nutrients to help give you a healthy glow.
Know Your Skin Type
Knowing your skin type is a really important component of getting glowing skin. Different skin types will mean different needs and different paths towards glowy skin. Whether you have oily or dry skin can help inform you of what steps you need to take and what the best products are for your specific skin type.
For example, if you have naturally oily skin you already have the glow people with dry skin are looking for, but it might be too much, so products like astringents and retinoids will help control the oil. On the other hand, if you have dry skin it can be from lack of moisture or overuse of stripping products. You can also have a combination skin type that has oily and dry sections.
Moisturize Your Skin
You know those times when your beautifully tanned skin starts to peel and look patchy? Ugh! That’s not a good look for anyone. Keep your skin hydrated and your tan glowing by moisturizing as often as possible. When you step out of the shower, use your favorite store-bought moisture lotion to lock in hydration right after you gently towel dry.
Or, try an all-natural moisturizer like shea butter, which will also give your skin a subtle sheen and enhance your glowing look. If your skin is already starting to peel, look for oil-based moisturizers (or use an oil like grapeseed or coconut) to quickly restore the skin’s oily qualities and stop peeling in its tracks.
Exfoliate—Gently!
Exfoliating seems like the opposite of what to do to maintain a tanned layer of skin, but actually, very gentle exfoliation can help your skin regenerate its own oils and stay hydrated. Put away any highly abrasive exfoliating products or tools, as these can be too rough and could actually remove the tanned layer of skin from your body.
Instead, turn to mild exfoliants like homemade sugar scrubs or your favorite store-bought body polish. Get rid of dead skin cells and give your skin the fresh surface it needs to regenerate its own hydrating oils and keep glowing for months to come.
Enhance Your Tan With Self-Tanning Products
No matter how careful you are or how well you care for your summer tan, it still might fade over time. The good news, though, is that your existing natural, sun-kissed glow makes it a snap to use self-tanning lotion to extend your tan into the fall and winter months. When you notice your tan lines becoming less prominent, it’s time to start supplementing your tan with a self-tanning lotion or spray. Look for self-tanning products that contain moisturizers to keep your skin hydrated, and always exfoliate gently before applying to get smooth, long-lasting results from these products.
Take a Break From Waxing and Read Skincare Product Ingredient Lists Carefully
If waxing is your preferred method of hair removal, keep in mind that this method can remove the top layer of your skin entirely—and that includes removing your tanned layer. To extend your tan, skip waxing for a few months and turn to tweezers and razors instead.
Products that contain glycolic acid or salicylic acid have a similar effect and can chemically remove your tanned skin cells, so check your skincare products to be sure they’re free of those ingredients.
Cleanse, Cleanse, Cleanse
Washing your face is vital in achieving glowing skin. This step will allow you to rinse off all the dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells that are laying on the skin from being out and about. Beyond that, it will remove the built-up oils that have gathered during the day on your face.
To get optimal results you are best off double-cleansing. This process consists of taking off your makeup with one cleanser and then washing your face with another cleanser to make sure everything has come off! Picking your cleanser will mostly depend on your skin type and personal preference. You can also consider adding a scrub to your skincare routine for exfoliation.
Beware of the Sun
While a summer glow is a great idea and might be what you dream of all year, sun exposure is actually a dangerous agent for your skin, and can lead to premature aging and dark spots. With the rising UVA and UVB levels protecting your skin from the sun is of the utmost importance to maintain glowing skin. If you’re headed to the beach or the pool make sure to wear the appropriate sun protection and take precautions.
Wearing sunscreen is fundamental for your skin barrier. Make sure you’re wearing an SPF of 15 or higher every day (even during the winter) to ward off fine lines and wrinkles. Other measures you can take are wearing a long-sleeved swim top to protect from shoulder and back burns, having a good beach cover-up that can protect you from the sun, such as a shirt dress or a caftan.
Conclusion
While how your skin looks and feels a lot of times comes down to factors we can’t control, such as genetics, hormonal fluctuations and imbalances, and the environment, these tips are sure to help you out at the start of your journey to glowing skin!
Nothing beats the feeling of newly bronzed skin, sun-bleached hair, and the sand between your toes. If sunnier locales are calling your name, swap your jean jacket for a bikini. Shop La Blanca’s newest swimsuits and best-selling resort wear, then book yourself a trip to the coast and soak up some more glorious sunshine. You deserve it!
Sources:
How to Get Glowing Skin: 6 Dermatologist Tips | Dermstore