6 Must-Try Tips for Glowing Skin

No matter your skin type, it’s safe to say that having radiant, glowing skin is a goal that most of us share. But while a youthful, dewy glow looks effortless in an “I woke up like this kind of way,” that’s not always the case. Achieving smooth, glowy skin requires building the right skincare routine—and sticking to it.

If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry; we're breaking it all down here. Ahead, we’ll reveal how to get glowing skin and introduce you to some of our favorite products for a radiant, healthy-looking complexion. Read on—and get ready to glow.

How Can I Get Glowing Skin Naturally?

Naturally glowy skin is born from a combination of many different factors. Being well-hydrated and well-rested helps, as does following a skincare routine tailored to your skin type and unique needs.

If you have oily skin, you may already have a glowing face brought on by overactive oil glands. While this may make you want to forgo moisturizer, all skin types need hydration, and skipping it can lead to a dull, lackluster skin tone. It can also lead to dehydration, which may ramp up your skin’s oil production even further. Instead, you’ll want to look for a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer that provides hydration without weighing your skin down. Those with dry skin, meanwhile, typically require deeper, more intense hydration to achieve a natural-looking glow. Look for moisturizers with hydrating ingredients—like ceramides and hyaluronic acid—and face serums and treatments with brightening ingredients like vitamin C and glycolic acid.

Finally, when determining how to make your skin glow, remember that perfect skin is a big (and frankly, unattainable) goal—everyone has some skin concerns, and that’s completely normal. Instead of chasing flawlessness, shift your focus on giving your skin what it needs to look and feel its best.

How To Get Glowing Skin

Achieving smooth, glowy skin requires building a skincare routine tailored to your skin type, being consistent, and addressing any skin concerns that can affect your skin texture and tone. Ahead, discover our 10 best tips to get glowing skin.

1. Be consistent with your skincare routine

Consistency is key to healthy-looking, glowing skin. Establishing a regular skincare routine helps maintain your skin's balance and can help keep concerns like dryness, dehydration, or breakouts at bay. Keep in mind that your routine doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. If you want to keep things simple, you can check all of the boxes in just a few steps (cleansing, moisturizing, and wearing sunscreen are musts).

It’s also important to remember to be patient (we know, easier said than done). But the longer you stick to a skincare routine, the better results you’ll see over time—and that’s how you can make your face glow naturally.

2. Exfoliate regularly (but not too much)

Exfoliating your skin removes the dead surface skin cells that can leave your complexion dull or uneven-looking. Bonus—exfoliated skin can better absorb skincare products, making them more effective. However, over-exfoliation can dry out or irritate your skin, so it's essential to use gentle products and not overdo it.

Both physical and chemical exfoliants have their advantages, but for gentle exfoliation, we prefer the latter. Look for products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid or lactic acid. If you’re new to exfoliation, you may want to start with a mild exfoliating cleanser, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser. The mild formula helps resurface the skin while removing dirt, oil, and other impurities to reveal smoother, brighter-looking skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used daily as the first step in your skincare routine.

If you’re already accustomed to AHAs, try an acid toner or serum instead. We love the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum, as it helps improve the appearance of fine lines, smooths, and visibly refines the skin to reveal a glowier complexion over time. We recommend starting with once-weekly usage and gradually increasing the frequency to nightly or every other night as your skin adjusts.

3. Hydrate your skin

If you want glowing skin, you’ve got to hydrate—both inside and out. Moisturizing helps combat dullness, dry patches, and dehydration, common issues that can make your skin look tired and lackluster. (Plus, well-hydrated skin is better able to protect itself against environmental stressors.).

For daytime, try L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream. It’s a lightweight moisturizer that applies like a watery gel, packing your skin with hydration without a greasy look or feel. Over time, it helps plump the skin and visibly reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Wear it alone, or layer it over a lightweight hyaluronic acid serum, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, for an added boost of hydration.

At night, you may want to reach for a heavier cream. We love the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Midnight Cream, which boasts a rich yet non-greasy texture and provides up to 24 hours of hydration for smooth, radiant-looking skin.

4. Use retinol

Retinol is a well-studied skincare ingredient that can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture, and brighten dull skin. With regular use, products with retinol may also help improve the appearance of dark spots and unevenness to promote even, glowing skin.

If overused, retinol can be irritating, so we suggest adding it to your routine slowly. It’s also a good idea to opt for lower concentrations of retinol to minimize irritation. Try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol, which is formulated to help balance the potential drying effects of retinol. If you're new to retinol, start by using it once or twice a week and gradually increase the frequency as your skin builds tolerance. Always follow with a hydrating moisturizer (and broad-spectrum SPF during the day) to hydrate your skin and safeguard against sun damage.

5. Try an at-home peel

At-home peels are a next-level addition to your skincare routine, helping you get a deeper level of exfoliation and rejuvenation than your regular exfoliants. They can help remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and improve the appearance of skin concerns like dark spots and discolorations. The L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel is an excellent pick for all skin types and tones. The professional-inspired formula contains a blend of alpha-, beta-, and polyhydroxy acids and helps visibly reduce dark spots while boosting brightness and refining skin texture. Keep in mind that this isn’t an everyday treatment—four times per week (at night) is ideal. When you do use it, skip your other exfoliants or retinoids to avoid irritating your skin.

6. Use vitamin C

Vitamin C can be a powerful ally when you’re on a quest to get glowing skin. Studies show that products with the occurring antioxidant can help brighten the skin, improve the appearance of discolorations, and support a radiant, luminous complexion. It’s also often used to help address other age-related skin concerns, like fine lines and wrinkles.

There are plenty of ways to incorporate vitamin C into your skincare routine, but we suggest opting for a vitamin C serum, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum. It contains 12% pure L-ascorbic acid as well as vitamin E (another antioxidant) and salicylic acid. The brightening formula instantly increases radiance while helping to smooth skin texture and visibly even skin tone over time. Plus, it’s suitable for all skin types and tones and gentle enough for use morning and night.