All Over Afterglow

A major component— and signal— of healthy skin is a natural glow. But causes like lack of sleep, stress, age, and even what you eat can rob your complexion of its radiance. Transform skin that looks dull and tired to luminous and glowing with tips to make your skin glow naturally, no matter how much time you have: months, one or two weeks, overnight, or even minutes!

1. Cleanse regularly

Key to luminous skin: clearing your “canvas” by thoroughly removing debris like dirt, oil and pollution particles that can clog pores and cause dullness. Wash your face morning and night by massaging in a small dollop of face cleanser lightly with fingers in circular motions, working from the inside of the face out for full coverage. Try best-tested face wash for boosting radiance, Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, for daily use, and do a deeper cleanse weekly by applying your face wash with a facial cleansing brush.

2. Exfoliate your skin

One of the best ways to brighten skin and boost its glow both immediately and long term is by exfoliating. The process removes skin’s outer layer of dead cells so its surface is smoother and clearer and reflects light. Apply either a physical exfoliant, like a face scrub, two to three times per week or a chemical exfoliation, such as a face peel once per week for sensitive or dry skin and three times maximum for other skin types, she suggests. Try the Beauty Lab’s top-tested skin-brightening face scrub, Acure Brightening Facial Scrub, or peel, Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel.

For more radiance, follow with a layer of moisturizer, like the GH Seal star Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, and shield skin with broad-spectrum SPF 30+ facial sunscreen or day cream, as exfoliation makes it more prone to sun damage, including dark spots.

3. Use shimmery lotion to boost glow

Good news: You can also get a glow instantly. The new category of skin care and makeup hybrid products called "glotions" combine the hydrating benefits of a moisturizer with the radiance-boosting effects of highlighter. These formulas contain humectant ingredients, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, that draw moisture into skin to immediately make it appear plump and smooth, mixed with finely milled minerals like mica that reflect light to give skin an instant but subtle all-over glow. Smooth one on as you would a face lotion before makeup, wear alone for a natural look or tap a dot on the high points of your face, such as the tops of your cheekbones and underneath the arches of your eyebrows, to get a touch of no-makeup radiance.

4. Eat antioxidant-rich food

Yes, what you eat can have an effect on your skin's glow. Load up on grapes, berries and nuts like pecans and walnuts, which are rich in polyphenols such as ellagic acid and resveratrol. Preliminary research has linked this type of antioxidant combats free radicals to help protect skin cells from UV damage like hyperpigmentation. Aim to incorporate them into your diet daily in meals, like breakfasts, salads, or desserts, or alone as a snack.