No filter needed: Achieving an Insta-Worthy Skin Glow

In these modern times, everyone is in possession of an at least average smartphone with a camera decent enough to take a few selfies. During some not so good days for us, we thank the heavens for the filters! You can look absolutely dazzling even in your worst days since these filters cover your skin imperfections, dark circles under your tired eyes and beautify your skin so that it glows. What if there was a way to make your skin glow in real life as well? Without filters? Take a look at some routine tips for glowing skin and pure skin perfection. 

1. Eat right, drink right and sleep right 

Having a healthy diet is essential for maintaining a fresh and joyful face. However, this is not enough. You need to enrich your diet with antioxidants that can be found in some fruits such as berries, citrus fruits, pineapples, leafy green veggies and seafood, which are all beaming with essential vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants. They act as boosters of collagen and they also add to the nourishment of the skin. Radiant skin also requires vitamin C and eating foods rich in natural oil. This category includes walnuts and almonds.

Besides a balanced diet, it is important to have a sufficient water intake on a daily basis. In that way you keep yourself and your skin hydrated too. Water purifies your organism by removing the toxins and it also keeps you refreshed. Water in our body has a function of maintaining the natural Ph balance in our bodies. Drinking water helps and so does consuming watery fruits and veggies such as watermelon, cucumber and melon. The consequences of dehydration are seen in dry, tight, itchy and flaky skin. You should drink at least two litres of water a day for normal functioning. 

For a normal looking skin we need at least seven to eight hours of sound sleep. Lack of sleep has severe effects on our skin, which will eventually begin to look tiring, saggy and dull. What processes happen to our skin when we sleep? During sleep, our skin cells get a boost, since blood flow to the skin is increased. However, if you don’t get enough sleep your skin is in serious risk of appearing lifeless. 

2. Do some physical exercise

Regular physical activity is important in every aspect of our life, and so is it in connection with our skin nourishment. Namely, doing regular physical exercise improves blood flow, which enables more oxygen for the skin cells. In this way, our bodies heal any tissue damage such as sunburn or acne. Any type of sport – running, playing volleyball, hitting the gym – will do. Each workout will bring a glow to your face. 

3. Develop a regular skincare routine

Regular skin care routine is all about cleansing, toning and moisturizing our face. And this implies only a bare minimum. We should keep our faces clean and hydrated by washing it at least two times a day. You should use a cleanser that suits your needs and you should gently massage it in your face in a circular motion, all over your face. Next step is to rinse it off your face with lukewarm water for best results. Opt for pat drying your face with a soft napkin. Then, apply a toner to your face. The toner will lower your skin’s Ph levels and calm it. Lastly, apply a nourishing and hydrating cream that has the best effects on your skin type. As far as summer is concerned, you should follow specific skin care tips for glowing summer skin. If your skin is beautiful, you feel beautiful too. This is important for us because of many reasons. As Dr. Ross Farhadeih at Panthea says: “Confidence is everything.” When we feel beautiful, we’re confident. And when we’re confident, we can do anything.

4. Exfoliate

Exfoliation of the skin is fundamental because our body sheds dead skin every day. You should exfoliate your skin regularly, once or twice a week, since this process removes dead skin layers from your skin. If you skip this process, your skin will look dry and dull. By removing a layer of dead skin, your skin will instantly appear brighter and more radiant. When you try it out, you’ll see the difference immediately. You can buy exfoliating cream or you can make your own from all natural ingredients. For example, one such homemade exfoliating cream is made from a teaspoon of walnut powder and a tablespoon of yoghurt. When you mix it in, apply it on your face and let it dry. When dry, remove with lukewarm water. You can use different body scrubs and an exfoliator to exfoliate the skin on your body. Once you rinse it out and dry yourself, remember to apply moisturizer. For a year-round beautiful skin, introduce this process to your regular shower time once or twice a week and you’ll notice the difference in no time.

5. Remove your makeup

The worst thing you can do to your skin: go to bed with makeup on. You should ALWAYS make time to remove makeup from your face because your skin needs to breathe and it can’t do that with layers of makeup on. Leftover makeup on your face causes your pores to clog up which eventually results in blackheads and different skin imperfections. You can use a store-bought makeup removal or natural oils such as olive and coconut oil to remove your makeup. After you finish removing your makeup, remember to cleanse, apply toner and moisturize.

6. Use sun protection

Nowadays, we need to apply sunblock every day and all year round in order to protect our skin from UVB rays. If you spend too much time exposed to the sun you are in danger of developing several skin problems such as wrinkles, age spots, premature aging and pigmentation. So it’s high time you made the application of sunblock your regular daily must. Even if it’s cloudy, the UVB rays manage to pass through them. You can buy a sunblock with different SPF. The strength of SPF will depend on your skin type. The rule is: put one shot glass size of sunscreen on your body and a full teaspoon on your face. Repeat the process every one to two hours when you’re in direct sun. Remember, buy a new bottle of sunscreen every year!

7. Use natural products

For a healthy and natural glow, try using completely natural products that you have around your home. These products do wonders for your skin. You can make your own cream, body scrubs, exfoliants and other beauty products.

watermelon – for an instant glow, apply liquid from the watermelon to your face

cucumber – you can do the same with the cucumber

ice cubes – use ice cubes on the skin right under your eyes to reduce puffiness

natural shower gel – mix two tablespoons of chickpea flour, half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and one tablespoon of milk cream and use it as a body wash

pack for tightening skin – use a mixture of multani mitti and rose water to tighten your skin

8. Apply moisturizers and toners 

Toners keep our skin oil-free and clean and that’s good enough for you to start using it. Regular application of toner reduces the appearance of pores. A mist toner is a good option for summer days since it hydrates your skin and perks up your complexion. For full refreshment, choose a toner with cucumber, rosewater or aloe, or make your own. 

Moisturizers are ought to be used all year round. You should choose a heavy moisturizer for winter and a light one for summer days. Moisturizers keep your skin hydrated and they also maintain the balance of Ph levels of the skin. With the right balance of Ph levels, your skin glows naturally. According to your skin type, choose the right moisturizer for you. Make sure your moisturizer is non-comedogenic because you don’t want your pores clogged.  

Achieving Insta-worthy glow doesn’t necessarily have to imply using filters. It is up to you and the way you care for your health and skin. Follow these steps for radiant skin, and maybe people will wonder what ‘filter’ you’re using. 

xoxo,

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