Who doesn’t want fresh, radiant, youthful skin? That natural glow feels good when passing by a mirror and catching a glimpse. Unfortunately, busy lives and stressful days make people lose track of what their skin needs, especially with so many products available claiming to do miracle work. But what if an easy solution existed to get that glow without complicated creams or expensive facials? Well, here it is! By following the nine easy, natural suggestions below, you’ll be able to keep your skin looking its best without breaking the bank—and without needing to since it all comes from within!
Your skin is a reflection of how you live. Many people think that skincare is topical, but you can start glowing when you assess everything you do on a regular basis. Intrigued about how to do it naturally? Here are nine simple natural skincare tips that are inexpensive and practically foolproof for anyone to try.
1. Drink Enough Water for Great Skin
Water is essential to your skincare regimen. When you are hydrated, your skin is fresh, plump, even, and alive. When you are not hydrated, skin feels tight, and people develop dry patches and flaking. Like a plant wilting away when it doesn’t receive water, your skin will fade without hydration. Maintaining enough water in your body keeps skin supple and assists the body in flushing toxins that work against creating healthy skin, such as blemishes.
Aim to consume at least eight glasses of water per day. Carry a refillable water bottle and drink throughout the day—especially if you’re busy and constantly on the move. Add a slice of lemon or cucumber for flavor—this makes plain water much more enticing. Herbal teas and infused waters count, but avoid soda and juice; over time, they’ll dehydrate you, and your skin will appreciate hydration. In due time, your skin will show radiance from the inside out.
2. Eat a Balanced Diet
You are what you eat. This is especially true for how your skin reflects what you put into your body. Eating fresh, colorful options daily can help determine how your skin looks over time. Fruits and vegetables such as berries, spinach, carrots, and avocados are rich in vitamins that help support better skin; for example, oranges and strawberries have vitamin C, which helps promote collagen deposit; the more collagen that sits on your skin, the firmer and more youthful appearance of your face.
Thus, healthy fats such as nuts and seeds and omega three oils from fatty fish like salmon can decrease inflammation and keep your skin moisturized as well. Instead of chips or fast food that promotes oily skin or breakouts, focus on meals with lean protein, whole grains and greens. Further, avoid skipping meals; your skin needs stable nourishment to repair itself and regenerate. Therefore, next time you go food shopping, load up on as much colorful produce as you can; you’ll keep your skin glowing and feel good in the process.
3. Get Enough Sleep
When you awake and your skin looks tired and puffy, it’s because you didn’t get enough sleep. Sleep is a naturally regenerative process that occurs all over your body—including your skin. While you’re sleeping, your skin is healing and regenerating at the same time, giving you a fresh face in the morning and increased circulation which promotes glowing skin. When we don’t get enough sleep, we look like it—dark under-eye circles, red, irritated features and, sometimes, irritating breakouts due to a stressed internal environment.
Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Reduce the pre-bed transition period with calming activities—reading, soft music, herbal teas—and make your sleeping environment cooler, darker and quieter. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule during the week and on weekends so that when you wake, fully refreshed, you’re happy and ready to take on the day; your skin will feel the same way from the inside out.
4. Cleanse Gently
Unless you clean your skin, you’re not going to get that glowing look. But using harsh soaps or scrubbing too hard creates unnecessary irritation. Skin can get dirty—oil, makeup and more can irritate and dull skin if makeup is not removed. However, using the wrong cleanser—or exfoliating too much—can create blemishes and overly dry skin. Therefore, while you should clean your skin, you should do this gently while preserving natural oils.
Always wash your face in the morning and at night—once per day for each suffices. Use a natural-based cleanser appropriate for your skin type. Chamomile, for example, soothes skin while aloe vera encourages hydration. Use your fingertips—not nails—to gently scrub the cleaner around your skin, and rinse with warm—not hot—water to prevent difficult dryness. Use a clean towel to pat your skin dry—rubbing creates unnecessary redness. Avoid blemishes and excessive irritation by cleansing—but do so gently.
5. Moisturize Daily
Moisturizing is like giving your skin a glass of water. It seals in hydration, forms a wall against dry skin and promotes a smooth, soft surface. Even oily skin needs moisturizer; a proper moisturizer helps keep your skin in balance so it will not overcompensate with more oil production. Well-hydrated skin looks plumper—and younger—and less wrinkled.
Opt for an organic moisturizer, like shea butter, coconut oil or hyaluronic acid. Use it right out of the shower while still damp to help lock in moisture. Don’t forget your neck and decolletage, which are also susceptible to signs of aging. If you’re heading outside, choose one with SPF to keep your skin even more protected from sun damage. Daily moisturization helps skin remain softer and more radiant over time.
6. Exfoliate Once or Twice a Week
Exfoliating is vital to removing the dead skin that dulls and makes the facial complexion feel rough. By taking off this dead weight, you reveal the fresh new skin underneath and it makes your skin glow and feel polished. However, too much exfoliating causes irritation and makes your skin overly responsive so once or twice per week works wonders for most everybody to see a difference.
You can make a natural exfoliant from items already in your kitchen, like oatmeal, honey or finely-ground sugar, mixed with water or yogurt to make a scrub. Be sure to rinse it off completely after scrubbing in circular motions. Avoid anything too abrasive, however, as salt or large granules will tear your skin microscopically. Skin will feel smoother after exfoliating and other products will penetrate easier. It’s an empowering and instant polish to feel glowy.
7. Protect Your Skin from the Sun
The more sun you get (both from natural rays and tanning beds), the more you’ll notice wrinkles, sun spots and leathery skin in your later years. UV rays break down collagen, which leads to lax tissues. Therefore, one of the easiest things you can do to get skin to glow and stay glowing for as long as possible is to avoid sun exposure.
Use a broad spectrum sunscreen daily with a minimum of 30 SPF even if it’s cloudy; apply it to all exposed skin including the face and neck and reapply every two hours if you’ll be outside for extended periods of time. Invest in a wide-brimmed hat or sit in the shade between 10am and 4pm when the sun is most harsh. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes but also to protect the sensitive skin around your eyes from too much exposure. It’s all about prevention for skin that glows over time.
8. Avoid Stress for Clearer Skin
Stress shows on your skin. When you are anxious or pressured, your body emits hormones that reflect overproduction of oil or major breakouts. Furthermore, stressful situations can leave skin looking dull and tired. Therefore, taking time to calm the mind and body will not only leave you feeling good, but also potentially positive for glowing skin.
Take time out of your day (even if it’s just five minutes) to breathe, stretch or do any other activity that helps clear your mind. Secondary activities such as reading, gardening or listening to music are great ways to lessen stress, therefore, focus on activities that make you happy and provide time for balance. When you are happy, your skin will appear happier, too.
9. Exercise Regularly
If you thought exercising is just for your body, think again; it does wonders for your skin, too. The more you exercise, the more circulation will occur in your body, meaning more oxygen and nutrients reach skin cells. So freshen up your cheeks and forehead while working out to give your skin a natural glow. Ironically, working out can prevent acne, too; increased sweating helps clear clogged pores.
You don’t have to spend two hours at the gym to make a difference. Twenty minutes of walking, yoga or cycling a few times per week should do the trick. Just find something you love so it doesn’t feel like work and always shower after—excess sweat can irritate skin, and post-shower apply moisturizer to keep skin supple. You’ll feel invigorated while your skin will be bright and youthful.
Conclusion
Achieving youthful skin with a glow doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. These nine natural approaches—from drinking water, following natural nutrition, getting enough sleep, cleansing properly, moisturizing daily, exfoliating weekly, protecting from the sun, reducing stress and exercising—will help transform your skin from the inside out. They’re practical, cost-friendly and easily adaptable to any lifestyle. Where will you begin?
The best part about these actions is that they don’t just make your skin healthier, but they also make you feel good about yourself! When you’re good to your body, your body is good back to you—and your skin shows it. If you need to start slow, at least increase your water intake or implement a nightly skincare routine, and over the weeks, you’ll notice improvement.
Eventually, your skin will be brighter, smoother and more radiant—today is the day! Love these natural skincare ways and let yourself glow!