5 Steps to naturally glowing skin at home

Keen on a head start? Pour yourself a large glass of water while you read this, your skin will thank you.

It’s more than beauty sleep

If you’ve ever been told by a well-meaning friend that “you look tired”, you’ll know the impact sleep has on your skin and overall health. And, we’re not just trying to encourage you to get enough sleep for superficial reasons – from affecting your judgment and mood to increasing your risk for a number of diseases and health problems – your “beauty sleep” is essential to your overall wellbeing.

Facial massage

Don’t worry, facial massage is really much simpler, and easier to try at home than you think. If you’re tempted by the promise of increased circulation, firmer facial tissue and lymphatic drainage (all code for glowing skin), then get a few tips on DIY facial massage to try at home here.

Wash – or at least rinse – your face twice a day

Creating a consistent skincare routine is one of the most important things you can do for the health of your skin. If you do your main cleansing routine in the evening and can’t quite face the thought of adding it to your morning schedule too, then now is the perfect time to slowly build an extra minute or two to rinse and moisturize your face in the morning. 
 
Remember, your skin still sweats, secretes oil and loses dead skin cells while you sleep – and you don’t really want any of these following you around all day.

Olay Total Effects SPF20 7-in-1 Moisturiser & Serum // Nivea Q10 Plus Power Sleeping Melt-in Face Mask Anti Age // Pond's Flawless Radiance Derma Hydrating Gel // Nivea Hyaluron Cellular Filler Nourishing Oil Elixir // Olay Regenerist Skin Perfecting Cleanser

Exfoliate

We shed millions of skin cells every day and, while many fall off in their own time, you will need to give them a bit of a helping hand. That dullness and ashiness you see? It’s likely largely due to dead skin cells clinging on and hiding the healthy cells underneath. 
 
Thankfully, all it takes is light, consistent exfoliation to reveal the healthy skin below. If you aren’t ready to build in exfoliation as a separate, dedicated step in your routine, look for a face wash with exfoliating particles in it that is gentle enough to use daily.
 
An added benefit of exfoliation? “When layers of dead skin cells build up, it’s difficult for your new skin to properly absorb the nourishing moisturisers and serums you apply every day - regular exfoliating will ensure you are reaping the benefits of your regular skin and sun care routine,” say the experts at Nivea.

Add moisture, especially with hyaluronic acid

The experts at Pond’s say “Drinking water is not enough to keep your skin hydrated. To nourish and hydrate your skin properly, you need a moisturizer that reaches deep to hydrate the cells deep inside, leaving your skin looking supple and feeling fresh on the outside.”
 
And, despite its name, don’t be scared by hyaluronic acid, it’s not the harsh kind that makes you peel when you go for a facial. Instead, it’s a miracle molecule that can hold up to a thousand times of its weight in water – making it your skin’s new BFF. Whether your skin is dehydrated, mature, oily or somewhere in the middle: Trust us, this is one ingredient you want to look out for. Bonus? As hyaluronic acid is found naturally in our skins, is also the perfect ingredient if you have tricky, sensitive skin that needs an added dose of hydration.

IMAGE CREDIT: Shutterstock