Woman holding bottle of serum up over her eye

It's glow time: 10+ expert tips for glowing skin.

Last Updated: April 14, 2021

Discover 10+ expert tips to get glowing skin, including top natural-ingredient products, skin-care routines, and more.

You know the look. J Lo's got it. Lupita Nyong'o emanates it. Guru-of-Goop Gwyneth Paltrow is the queen of it. It's the glow — a magnificently illuminated face that goes beyond shimmering cheekbones. Truly glowing skin radiates from within and: We. Want. It. Now.


Luckily, we can all get our glow on, especially with these skincare tips we've cultivated from experts. Read on for advice and recommendations of top natural-ingredient beauty products to light your fire from within.

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What is glowing skin?

Yellow sun illustration

To pinpoint what we covet, let's break down the components of radiant skin.


Glowing skin:


  • is supple. This means the skin is plump, with small pores, rather than tight or baggy. Hello, moisture!
  • reflects light. Rather than a matte, dull look, glowing skin has highlights where light bounces off the face — usually on the apples of cheeks, tip of the nose, forehead, and chin.
  • has a sun-kissed, halo effect. Radiant skin looks like it just came from a walk on the beach, with a very light bronze around the outside of the face, guiding the eye toward the brighter T-zone of forehead, nose, and chin.

How do the experts get glowing skin?

Orange vitamin E drop illustration

We're sure you agree that glow is the way to go. But getting there can leave you with a drawer full of Oompa Loompa-hued bronzers and highlighters best suited for those raves in your 20s that you can't quite remember. Dermatologists, aestheticians, and influencers agree that getting glowing skin involves far more than products. Topping nearly all dermatologists' lists of suggestions, for example, is daily use of sunscreen — something that's easily forgotten, especially in winter.


Beauty sleep is a real thing, too, as doctors will attest. You'll see sleep, sunscreen, and several more good self-care habits in these top 10 expert tips for glowing skin.

10 tips from experts to get your skin glowing

1. Always use sunscreen

We know, the admonition to wear sunscreen often becomes white noise, but it's so important. Dermotologists say that 90% of wrinkles are caused not by age but by sun damage, so remember your SPF every day, even in winter months. If you can see the sun, it can probably see your precious skin.

2. Get enough quality sleep

See what we did there? Quality of sleep, not just quantity of it, is key for cells to regenerate, emotions to process, and beauty to literally blossom. Sleep deprivation actually reduces blood circulation, leading to dry, pale skin. Aim for seven to nine hours of real sleep — the zombie look is so last October.


3. Stay hydrated

Our bodies are made up of around 60% water, so fill 'er up on the inside, and it'll show on the outside. Though we love our coffee, keep in mind that coffee is a diuretic — meaning it makes the body expel water — so don’t rely on it for hydration — opt for real water.


Same with alcohol: It's hard on your kidneys, suppressing hydration action, and it depletes your body of skin-loving vitamin A.


How to know you're properly hydrated? Your pee should be nearly clear, and you should rarely feel thirsty — once you do, you’re already dehydrated.



4. Eat clean

Fruits and veggies are full of vitamins and antioxidants that clean up the scavengers in our bodies. They're also mostly water, so they help to keep skin hydrated. Get your vitamins A, C, and E, and your face will show it.


5. Humidify

Does your cat's fur stand on end when you pet her? Getting a jolt when you touch anything around the house? Check your home's humidity level. A dry environment dries out your skin, so consider adding a humidifier — at the very least in your bedroom.


We also swear by a steamy shower and lots of plants in your bathroom, which are natural humectants. This will create a dewy space to perform your skincare routine.


6. Address the stress

Worry and stress affect not only your physical and emotional well-being but also the appearance of your skin. You've no doubt heard about the dangers of high levels of cortisol, the fight-or-flight chemical your body produces when it's stressed. Cortisol and the ailments it causes — high blood pressure, insomnia, gastrointestinal symptoms — take a major toll on your skin, which is your body's largest organ.


The practices of mindfulness, yoga, and exercise improve circulation, endorphin responses, and happiness — and that, friends, shows in your face.


7. Exfoliate

This skincare step is almost always mentioned by dermatologists. Sloughing off dead skin cells and microscopic debris helps reveal brighter, fresher skin. Natural exfoliates, like oats, coffee, and fine sugar, are a key ingredient in glowing skin.


8. Moisturize

All skin types — even oily — need to be hydrated, and it’s easy to find a moisturizer suitable for your skin type. Penetrating the top layer of skin with moisture is key to a healthy, dewy look, so look for natural moisturizers that are free of parabens, phthalates, and other harmful ingredients that work against you.


Coconut oil, shea butter, and glycerin are fantastic natural moisturizers.


9. Highlight

Thanks in part to social media, celebrities and models are far more accessible as are their makeup artists and their arsenal of tips to create glowing skin with beauty products.


At the top of the list is highlighting, whereby you apply lightweight, even, shimmery makeup to areas of the face where you want light to reflect. Apply it above the cheekbones, along the ridge of the nose, between the eyebrows, on the apple of the cheeks, and the chin.


Use a small amount and a very light hand, lest you look like an electric skeleton. Less is always more when it comes to makeup.


10. Fake a bake

Another staple for that sun-kissed glow, bronzers are also best applied with a light touch. Very gently sweep a golden bronzer (one to two shades darker than your skin tone) in the shape of a "3," starting at each side of your forehead, then inward on the hollow of each cheek, and again under each side of your jaw. With practice, you'll create a warm glow outlining your gorgeous face.

What’s a good skincare routine?

All experts agree that sticking to a skincare routine with quality products is integral to getting the glow. Quality skincare products don’t contain harsh chemicals that can do a number on your skin. Commit to these expert recommendations using products with natural ingredients, and we'll bet your skin will get lit.


  1. Remove your makeup (we love a good makeup remover towel) every night — never, ever sleep in it
  2. Use a gentle, natural cleanser
  3. Exfoliate your skin at least each week
  4. Use a toner to balance your skin's pH levels
  5. Consider a serum or facial oil to address specific issues, like fine lines, dark circles, cell renewal, etc.
  6. Apply a quality, natural moisturizer that aligns with your skin type
  7. If leaving the house, apply a sunscreen made for the face

What are some of the best natural products to make your skin glow?

Ready, set glow with these top products:

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