How to Get Glowing Skin Naturally

When you look in the mirror, do you love what you see? The painful truth is that most people don’t. They look at their face and see dull skin and imperfections. And there are countless products capitalizing on those insecurities without actually delivering real results.

My skin has been on a journey – one with ups and downs, hills and valleys. Maybe you can relate. Sometimes I’ve loved my skin; and in the past, many times I’ve dreaded my skin. Why couldn’t I have that radiant glow I would see in other women?

Then the game changed. I learned how to get glowing skin naturally.

This means all those “miracle” products collecting dust under my sink (the ones filled with chemicals, toxins, and unpronounceable ingredients) were gone!

Instead, I realized simple, natural, holistic options were the best bet.

If you want to learn how to get glowing skin naturally too, I’ve got you covered. This isn’t about one miracle product; there isn’t such a thing. This is about embracing the fact that healthy living and pure, natural skin care is the only way to glow.

How To Get Glowing Skin

You may think that there are some mysterious skin secrets that you don’t know about and that that’s the missing link for how to get glowing skin naturally. Thankfully, it’s much simpler than that. These four tips are key for glowing skin for all skin types (I’ll address a few specific concerns afterward.)

1- Hydrate

If you really want to know how to get glowing skin naturally, you can’t just think about external products and topical treatments.

Glowing skin starts with the inside – and your insides need WATER!

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is essential if you want to know how to have beautiful skin. It purifies the body, which purifies the skin, keeping blemishes and breakouts at bay. And a well-hydrated face doesn’t have flaky skin or dry patches – so if you’re struggling with that, upping your water intake is essential. It can even help you balance oil production.

One of my favorite things to do is add lemon to my water. Not only does it help shake up the flavor, but it also gives me a skin-glowing boost. The lemon acts as a gentle, maintenance detoxification removing impurities from the body that could later cause blemishes.

I always aim to drink half my body weight in ounces of water each day. That’s the minimum that we need in order to replenish what is lost through our regular day to day activities.

I fill up a stainless steel water bottle and carry it with me throughout the day so that I always have a supply of water. And I also don’t have to worry about filling up cup after cup.

I also make sure to add a pinch of Himalayan Sea Salt (per quart of water) to flush the water into the cells and decrease the need to use the bathroom. My skin and body LOVE this and I have become more and more keenly aware of my body’s need for water and proper hydration.

But I have to say my new favorite way to increase hydration, energy, and detoxification is with our Hydration Superfood Energy powder supplement. The refreshing strawberry kiwi taste is thirst quenching and amazing for deep-cellular hydration.

2 – Exfoliation

Skin science is incredible. Your body is constantly creating new cells at the deepest levels. Your ability to turnover skin cells regularly is a critical piece on how to get better skin. This is why exfoliation is so important.

• Dead skin cells can collect and leave you with rough, dry, dull patches of skin and even clogged pores and breakouts
• A buildup of dead skin can also make it more difficult for your skin care products to be effective
• As you age, the cell turnover process slows down making it a little bit more challenging to get that glow

Exfoliation gets rid of these problems by allowing the fresh, new, healthy skin to shine.  It gets rid of the cells that are clogging your pores, causing breakouts and making your skin look dull. It also increases circulation, which brings new life to your skin.

So exfoliating 1 to 2 times each week is a must if you want to know how to make your skin glow. But don’t overdo it. You can leave your skin raw and inflamed if you go overboard.

Remember that there are multiple ways to exfoliate.

If you have sensitive skin or are currently dealing with active blemishes, you may not want to attack your face with a scrub. There are natural, safe, mild peels that can remove the dead skin cells without abrasive particles, like fruit enzymes or alpha hydroxy acid.

I like this Organic Acai Exfoliator by Beyond Organic. I love it because the exfoliating particles are very very fine. So, it works as a gentle exfoliator that still gets the job done.

3 – Facial Steams

If you are wondering how to get glowing skin, you may get caught in the trap of over complicating your skincare regimen. That’s one of the worst things you can do. Some of the best treatments are actually very simple and easy to do.

A facial steam is pampering self-care at its finest: effective, simple, and affordable.

Steam opens the pores to release built up dirt, grime, dead skin cells, and toxins. And depending on what essential oils you add, you can actually regulate oil production while de-stressing your mind and body at the same time.

Talk about a total win for glowing skin!

The process is easy:

Step 1 – Cleanse your skin with your preferred cleanser of choice. I’m a huge fan of oil cleansing and you can learn more about it here.

Step 2-  Boil 3 to 4 cups of water in a pot. Remove the pot from heat and then add essential oils of your choice:

• 1 drop of Frankincense for Anti-Aging
• 1 drop of Geranium to regulate oil production and produce a radiant glow
• 1 drop of Lavender to soothe irritated or inflamed skin
• 1 drop of Myrrh to purify skin

There’s no need to add all of these oils to one treatment. I would select 2 at the most. Replace the lid after you add the essential oils so that all of your steam doesn’t escape before you get a chance to sit down.

Step 3-  Choose a place with a table nearby where you can just sit and relax for about 10 minutes. Place the pot on a table (on top of a heat protectant so you don’t burn your table). Remove the lid of the pot and drape a towel around your head and your shoulders to create a “tent” for the steam to circulate.

Step 4 – Keep your face about far enough away from the pot so you don’t burn yourself. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and just relax.

Step 5- After 5 to 10 minutes of steaming follow up with your preferred moisturizer of choice. Be sure to moisturize before your skin dries completely. This is a great tip for locking in moisture.

4 – Use Safe Sun Protection

Too much sunshine may bring you a dewy sweat, but it leaves behind anything but glowing skin.

For years we have been told to wear sunscreen to protect our skin, and the concept is 100% true. Sunburns and too much tanning ultimately leave your skin dull, flakey, and sometimes sun-spotted.

I’m sure you’ve met people where you can tell they’ve spent too many years sunbathing. The skin is leathery and it appears dry…there is no glow and the skin just looks…unhealthy.

I’m all for Vitamin D and getting sun exposure each day is great – something we all should be doing. But, you also want to make sure that the skin on your face is protected. This means that a daily sunscreen is a good idea especially during the summer and spring.

But many of us have been doing sun protection all wrong. Purchasing products that are loaded with chemicals (including chemical sunscreens) is only adding more toxins to the skin and inside the body.

I’ve found that the best way to do this is to use a facial moisturizer that already includes SPF protection. I love the Eminence Organic Bright Skin Moisturizer. It’s made with an SPF of 30. I also find that it acts as a skin primer. After I apply this moisturizer my skin has the perfect texture for makeup application.

How to Get a Clearer Complexion

If you want to know how to get glowing skin, but you’re dealing with breakouts and acne you could be facing a little bit more of a challenge. Here’s why:

Conventional acne treatments are designed to regulate oil production in an effort to stop breakouts. But  they often leave your skin super dry, flakey, red, and inflamed. You may have stopped excess oil production, but the results are anything but glowing skin. That’s because harsh, stripping ingredients have been touted as the only way to get a clear complexion.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth.  Here are some of my top recommendations for how to get a clearer complexion:

Pro tip: all of my recommendations on how to get glowing skin still apply for those with acne/clogged pores. Just also add these three tips.

1 – OCM, the Oil Cleansing Method

I know what you’re thinking: “There is zero chance I’m adding oil to my acne-prone skin! Oil is the problem!”

Actually, dear friend, oil is not the problem. Oil that has mixed with dirt, bacteria, and old makeup that has settled into your pores, is the real problem.

Since like dissolves like, washing your face with non-comedogenic oils is the very best way to clean an oily face without stripping your skin, which causes your oil glands to go into hyper drive.

Knowing how to get a clearer complexion with OCM is all about knowing how to choose the right oils. Because it’s true… some oils will clog your pores. So here are my favorite oils that are not only acne-safe, but they are actually acne-fighting:

• Hemp seed oil
• Grape seed oil
• Jojoba oil
• Argan oil

If you want to learn more about OCM, I will tell you everything you need to know right here.

2 – Natural Spot Treatment

When a breakout pops up and threatens to compromise that glowy, clear skin complexion– don’t fret. Just spot treat.

Once again, essential oils are the key ingredient for how to get glowing skin. Melaleuca (tea tree) oil is an all-natural option for spot treatment. Some people find success with lavender oil as well. Dab it on the blemish before bed or before you put on foundation.

3 – Weekly Detox Mask

When it comes to congested acne-prone skin, you need to focus on getting out everything that clogs your pores.

A weekly detox mask can help you pull out all that dirt, grime, bacteria, and dead skin cells without using overly drying harsh products. Check out my DIY mask for clogged pores toward the end of this blog post!

How To Make Your Skin Softer

If rough skin patches or uneven skin texture are the main culprits standing between you and how to get glowing skin, here’s how to make your skin softer:

• Exfoliate
• Boost your moisture levels by adding some facial oil to the rough patches before or after you moisturize
• Prevent sunburn
• Consider a natural vitamin C serum

Food To Eat For Glowing Skin

You know how they say, “You are what you eat”? Well, that concept may be overly simplistic, but there’s truth there.

Unhealthy food leads to an unhealthy body. Healthy food leads to a healthy body – and glowing skin.

Before I get to all the wonderful, tasty food to eat, it is equally important to share with you all the things you should either limit or avoid entirely. This includes:

• Dairy
• Gluten
• Sugar
• Alcohol

1 – Fat: Avocados, Coconut Oil, Nuts

When I was a teenager, I was always told never to eat greasy food if I wanted clear skin. So for years I thought avoiding all oil was how to get glowing skin and avoid breakouts.

Fat isn’t the skin enemy; it’s actually a friendly food to eat. The problem can stem from what type of fat/oil you choose. Get your fat from healthy, natural sources and avoid highly modified or altered fats including vegetable and soybean oils. Examples:

• Fast food French fries are problematic. But homemade sweet potato fries tossed in coconut oil and baked in your oven are a healthier alternative.
• Chicken tenders and fried onion rings are problematic. But grilled chicken with onions and mixed veggies sautéed in avocado oil will be a health booster.

2 – Fermented Foods: Kombucha, Sauerkraut, Kimchi, etc.

Your health – including skin health – starts in your gut. Skin issues like eczema, acne and even psoriasis are rooted in the gut.

When bad bacteria outweighs the good bacteria, your body has increased inflammation, an overload of toxins, and imbalanced hormones… a recipe for skin problems.

Adding fermented foods to your diet is a good idea for healthy gut flora, as they actually add good bacteria (probiotics) to your gut.

For me, fermented foods are a daily diet addition. Sometimes it can be a little intimidating to know where to begin or how to choose the right fermented foods. But don’t you worry; I have a full run down on everything you need to know about fermented foods right here.

3- Orange Produce: Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Butternut Squash, Cantaloupe

Typically orange fruits and vegetables are filled with something called carotenoids, a particular type of antioxidant.

Studies show these specific antioxidants play a powerful role in lowering inflammation, limiting furrows and wrinkles in the skin, and aiding in overall anti-aging properties. Carotenoids can even protect you from skin damage.

All of this equals healthy, thriving, glowing skin. (And a healthy body!) So add them to your list of foods to eat for glowing skin.

4- Berries: Blueberries, Strawberries, Blackberries

What makes berries the queen of the fruit world is what they are full of antioxidants and low in sugar.

• Antioxidants help the skin by fighting free radicals and promoting cell turnover; this helps skin to look youthful and glowing
• Lower sugar intake helps reduce inflammation and breakouts

A handful of berries make a great snack anytime of the day, but I especially love to add them to my morning smoothie.

DIY Facial Mask For Glowing Skin

Want to know how to get glowing skin on a budget? Look no further than DIY face masks.

(P.S. Even the most wealthy will benefit from a DIY facial mask for glowing skin. Why? All natural, fabulous ingredients without toxic chemicals!)

There are countless recipes available online that use fabulous, natural ingredients to boost the health of your skin. But I want to start you out with two tried and true natural recipes for two opposite skin types.

1- DIY Facial Mask For Glowing Skin – Bentonite Clay Mask

Perfect for: acne, oily skin, clogged pores

• 1 part bentonite clay
• 1 part Apple Cider Vinegar (Choose an organic kind that still has the “mother” in it – that’s the stringy sediment at the bottom of the bottle. I prefer Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar.

Mix these together but use a plastic or wooden spoon and non-metal bowl. Metals can interfere with the bentonite clay’s charge which is what makes it effective for drawing toxins from the skin.  

For super acne-prone skin or extremely oily skin, you can also add a drop of melaleuca or lavender oil to the bentonite mix for extra bacteria-fighting properties.

2 – DIY Facial Mask For Glowing Skin – Avocado Mask

Perfect for: dry skin, wrinkles and sun damaged skin

• ½ flesh of 1 avocado
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. can coconut milk
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil (as long as you are not acne prone. For acne prone skin use Argan, Jojoba or Grapeseed Oil instead)
  

Mash the avocado and then stir in all ingredients until the mixture is smooth. Apply to skin and leave the mask on for 15 minutes, and then rinse away with warm water. Follow with moisturizer of choice to lock in hydration.

Glowing Skin Products

Now that you have a better idea of how to get glowing skin naturally, it’s time to toss out your chemical-laden products that had high promises but little results.

It’s time to go natural. Consider this your glowing skin products shopping list.

• Essential Oils: Frankincense, Lavender and Melaleuca are good staples to have on deck
• Vitamins for glowing skin: Great supplements and vitamins for glowing skin include B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc, essential fatty acids, chlorella, collagen powder like our Beauty Collagen Complex, and probiotics
• Facial oils: To help you pick the perfect oil for your particular skin type, check out my article on the oil cleansing method
• Vitamin C serum: For smooth skin
• Vitamin E serum: For after sun care
• Bentonite clay: For clogged pores and to detox the skin
• Natural chemical exfoliator or gentle scrub
• Waterlogged: This app helps you track your water intake and will remind you to drink up throughout the day. You can read more about it here.  

How To Get Glowing Skin For Good

Here’s the truth about how to get glowing skin from today until the rest of your life: it takes some effort. But luckily that effort does not have to mean one expensive “miracle product” after another.

You need to focus on a healthy body to get a healthy face. You need to focus on truly healthy skin to have a healthy, glowing complexion.

Now it’s your turn to talk about how to get glowing skin naturally! Tell me about any natural products that have been a game changer for you. I’d love to hear your experiences with essential oils, oil cleansing, exfoliation, or your favorite spa-like treatment. Leave a comment below.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21366698