For many mortals, achieving glowing skin is like finding the fountain of youth. Some people are lucky enough to possess the good genes for ageless skin, while others have 11-step skin care rituals nightly. Although creams, oils, lotions, toners, cleansers, and more can benefit and clarify your skin, simple daily habits can provide your skin the nutrients it needs. 

Commercials that advertise overpriced miracle creams and serums are enticing, but they may not be the answer. The truth is that glowing skin begins from within. What we mean by that is that certain lifestyle habits provide your skin with nutrients internally. External skin care still has a place in your life, but a healthier inside can make your skin glow on the outside. Don’t give up exfoliating and moisturizing; rather, consider the following habits to contribute to more beautiful skin.

Exercise

Daily exercise can benefit several bodily organs and systems, primarily because it gets the heart pumping, which improves circulation. All of the body’s cells and tissues need oxygen to thrive. Improving circulation as a result of exercise can provide skin cells with the nutrients they need for cell turnover and growth. Without proper circulation, the skin can appear dull because the body cannot get rid of old, dead skin cells. Optimal circulation also helps the body eliminate toxins, which can hold your skin back from looking as healthy as possible.

Get Enough Sleep

Beauty sleep is a real thing and anyone who says otherwise isn’t sleeping enough. The body requires sleep to heal and recover, and to help organs function properly. Since the skin is the largest organ in the body, it needs sleep to aid all the metabolic work it does. That’s why lack of sleep can result in puffy skin, bags, and dark circles under the eyes. Sleep deprivation causes the body to produce more cortisol, the stress hormone, which can cause inflammation on the skin that can lead to lumps and breakages. 

Wash Your Pillowcases

On the topic of sleep, we feel the need to state a fact that should be common knowledge: wash your pillowcases frequently. Pillowcases collect dirt, oil, dead skin, and more every couple days. Because pillowcases remain in contact with your face for a long period of time, the built-up gunk can irritate the skin, leading to breakages. For this reason, it’s best to change your pillowcases every few days.

Stay Hydrated

Before you slather on your hydrating creams and serums, be sure to hydrate your skin from the inside out. Drinking enough water can ensure proper waste elimination, support the metabolism, and promote glowing skin. Ideally, you should drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day to sufficiently hydrate the body. You can also obtain some of this water via hydrating foods. You can also drink herbal teas to promote hydration, but try to avoid too much sugar and caffeine, as caffeine pulls water out of the skin and sugar increases inflammation.

Exfoliate Once A Week

Exfoliation is an integral step towards glowing skin, but doing it too much can do more harm than good. When you exfoliate, you remove dead skin cells and dirt that can clog your pores and make the skin appear dull. Exfoliating too much, however, can strip the skin of beneficial oils that make it look radiant. The skin always produces new skin cells and it needs help shedding the old dead cells. Use a gentle exfoliator that also contains moisturizing ingredients. You can click here for a great DIY facial exfoliating recipe. 

Reduce Stress

As mentioned earlier in this article, the accumulation of cortisol, the stress hormone, can cause inflammation on the skin. When the body is in a constant state of stress, blood flow is directed to skeletal muscles and the heart prepares to fight or flight. That means that the skin doesn’t receive the vital nutrients and oxygen that contribute to supple, glowing skin. That’s why chronically stressed individuals look drained and older. Take the time to do yoga, practice meditation, engage in breathing exercises, or take a bubble bath to reduce stress levels. Your skin will be able to recover, receive adequate circulation, and appear bright again.

Don’t Use Products Made For The Wrong Skin Type

If you want to help your skin glow, you need to use skin care products that are made for your skin type. If you have a particular skin concern, you have to use products that cater to that issue. Using the wrong products can not only disrupt the skin’s moisture barrier, but also increase the risk of dullness and dryness. Since you don’t want the skin to look older than it should, find the products that are suitable for your skin type. When in doubt, ask for help because it’s better to invest in the right products for your skin than to use products that do more harm than good.

Vincent Stevens

Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.