Starting a glow-up journey is kind of everywhere right now, and it covers so much. Having a glow-up could mean weight loss, a career switch, lifestyle changes, and forming new habits. And honestly, I’m really loving it.
I love seeing others transform their lives in big and small ways.
But right now, I’m just going to focus on having a skin care glow up. Over the last year, I’ve been going deep into the world of skincare. I’ve watched so many videos from licensed dermatologists and people sharing their success stories, and it’s really expanded my knowledge.
In fact, there’s a whole lot more that goes into having glowing skin and a healthy complexion than I ever realized. And while I can’t go into all of those tips right now, I can at least give you the basics for creating your own glow-up plan.
You don’t need a 40-step Korean skincare regime to have great skin, you just need to adopt some good habits that’ll help you start seeing results.
1. They Apply Sunscreen (The Right Way)
The summer months are the best; you can get outside, go on road trips, and start heading to the beach.
But it’s also one of the best times for sun damage. So to make sure you’re still enjoying the warmer months, but not damaging your skin, make sure to apply sunscreen whenever you’re heading out.
How Often Should You Apply It?
According to John Hopkins, if you’re swimming or sweating, every 2 hours. But, if you’re indoors and not near a window, “you may not need a second application.”
2. They Exfoliate, But They’re Not Using Scrubs
I’ve been exfoliating with scrubs for years; every beauty channel and blog told me that if I wanted to have a higher skin cell turnover rate, then it was necessary.
But Dr. Shereene Idriss shared that scrubs are too harsh on the skin, and can cause damage. What she suggests instead is to use products like glycolic acid.
It’s more gentle and you will see results over time when it comes to fixing an uneven skin tone and having glowing skin. Also, if you want to learn more from her on the topic, then here’s her video on exfoliating acids.
3. Getting Enough Sleep
I know this one sounds a bit hard since it’s kind of nice to stay up late (or you’re just busy), but sleeping is crucial to skin health.
Lack of sleep can seriously effect how you look, and while it’s not a skincare product, it is a beauty essential.
Here’s what this study on the cues of fatigue says about it, “The faces of sleep deprived individuals were perceived as having more hanging eyelids, redder eyes, more swollen eyes, darker circles under the eyes, paler skin, more wrinkles/fine lines, and more droopy corners of the mouth.”
So make sure that you’re cutting out blue light at least an hour before bed, and having a regular bedtime routine so that you can get a good night’s sleep. It really is a low maintenance beauty habit that’ll help you glow from the inside out.
4. Drinking Water
Making sure to drink enough water each day should definitely be on your glow-up checklist.
Hydration is key for so many areas of health, but water can also improve the look and feel of your skin and prevent dryness in both hot and cold weather.
Also, it’s just a simple way to practice self-care. So either have a pitcher of water by you while you work, or have a reusable water bottle for when you’re on the go.
5. They Don’t Smoking
If you smoke, you’re probably well aware of the harm it’s doing to your organs.
But what you might not know is you that you’re also harming your skin.
This is one habit you shouldn’t have if you want to have good skin.
6. They Test What Foods Are Breaking Out Their Skin
This is definitely one of the best glow-up ideas on this list because you’re not just taking care of your skin, you’re taking care of your overall health.
So instead of just eating healthier, take certain foods out of your diet and see what might be effecting your skin in a negative way.
Example: I found last year that whenever I consistently took in dairy, I’d break out bad. But once I stopped, the breakouts were essentially non-existent.
So create a quick list of the kinds of foods you’re taking in regularly, and then take one of them out of your diet at a time. You can cut them out for around 2 weeks, and then start to slowly reintroduce them back into your diet to see how your skin changes.
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.