The Perfect Summer Glow

Come summer, nothing makes us feel quite as confident as having healthy, glowing skin. And the truth is, there are ways to look radiant without slapping on the fake tan.

If your complexion isn’t on point, these two steps make it easy to score a smooth, super-hydrated surface.

Step 1: Exfoliate

When dry, dead skin piles up, this affects the texture of our skin. Light scatters off the face in different directions, which is perceived as dullness. Removing dead skin cells is key. The easiest way to buff is with a face scrub, clay mask or exfoliating mask, 2-3 times a week.

Step 2: Hydration

Your skin cells are made up of water, which means that when your body doesn’t get enough of the liquid, the lack of hydration will show itself in your skin. It will often become dry, tight and flaky, and can be more prone to wrinkling and show signs of early ageing.

Look for skin care products containing hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Applied to wet skin, Hyaluronic Acid can hold 1,000 times its weight in water for a serious hydration boost, while glycerin creates a barrier to trap it in. Treat yourself to a mini facial massage and increase circulation by bringing oxygen to the skin’s surface. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water!

Other ways to get your Glow on:

Up the Vegies. The more veggies you eat, the more water your body is consuming. Eat more Avocado’s, as they supply the skin with healthy fats and phytonutrients that hydrate from the inside out.

Go Nuts for Nuts. Foods rich in selenium are a great addition to your diet, as the antioxidant helps protect against skin cancer, age spots and sun damage. Two brazil nuts a day will be enough to reap this benefit.

Exercise. A good cardio sesh can make skin come to life. It speeds up your heart rate and increases circulation, bringing much needed nutrients to your face. Plus your feel good hormones will remind why looking after yourself feels great.

Get to Bed early. Listen up, night owls! Skin’s restorative powers kick in when you snooze, specifically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. If you’re up at that time, you’re missing out on benefits like cell turnover and collagen building.

Improve your Gut Health. Studies show gut health is essential for glowing skin. The gut is where we make nutrients that contribute to collagen formation as well as enzymes that detoxify. A daily probiotic can keep your gut balanced and digestion optimal.

Make Up. Choose a natural highlighter with the mineral mica, giving a pretty shimmer to your cheek bones.

Skin Care that helps

If you’re prone to letting your skincare regime lapse over summer, make a pact with yourself to keep on top of it this year. Well-maintained skin can boost your appearance and give you a healthy glow, so get onto it now!