When skin is moisturized, it also reflects light, making it instantly appear more glowing. And be sure to shield skin with broad-spectrum SPF 30+ facial sunscreen or day cream, as exfoliation makes it more prone to sun damage, including dark spots.
Exfoliating your skin, moisturizing twice a day, using a hydrating serum and face mask, and applying a retinoid product may all help replace dull-looking skin with a healthier, more vibrant glow.
If you're moisturizing regularly, you're already on the path toward glowing skin. But it's true that there are some moisturizers that can give your skin an immediate glow, usually thanks to some light-reflecting particles in the formula.
If your skin tends to be dry, look for a cream - they tend to have a higher oil content. Moisturizing can reduce the appearance of other blemishes. Freshly moisturized skin has a healthy sheen, which can even out any existing blemishes. Some moisturizers have some tint or self-tanner that can work with any skin tone.
Moisturizers affect the appearance of skin by doing three things -- fighting dryness, balancing skin tone and improving skin texture [source: Mayo Clinic].
“When you use moisturizer every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger,” he said to Refinery29. “If you apply a lot of moisture, skin will become sensitive, dry, dull, and interfere with natural hydration.”
Exfoliate regularly
Exfoliation helps shed this layer and clears out dirt, oil and clogged pores, giving you spotless glowing skin. Scrubbing regularly improves skin's health with time and ensures a healthy glow too. You can pick a scrub for your skin type and exfoliate according to your skin's requirement.
Skin glows when it's smooth enough to reflect light. On the other hand, skin becomes dull when rough, dead skin cells pile up and diffuse light. Children and teenagers glow more easily because their skin cells turn over, or renew themselves, every 28 days on average.
Moisturiser cannot by itself make your skin dark or fair . Moisturisers are only meant to give the hydration a skin needs. In very humid climates, it is better to avoid moisturiser as a whole.
Dr. Garshick says the most immediate signs are clogged pores, blackheads, and excess oil production. She advises moisturizing no more than two times a day, using a product formulated for your skin type.
MOISTURIZER DO: TAKE YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE SERIOUSLY
That means cleansing and following up with moisturizer twice a day. Plus, applying moisturizer can help to give your complexion a radiant glow.
Moisture is another key factor when it comes to treating dark spots, according to Engelman. "Adding moisture back into the skin with oils and lotions can reduce the appearance of existing dark spots and prevent new ones from forming," she explains.
Not only will it ward away wrinkles, it should protect us from the sun. But a recent study shows we shouldn't put too much faith in the beauty industry to keep us safe from the sun. In fact, few daily moisturizers offer adequate protection against ultraviolet A, also known as UVA radiation.
Vitamin D is one of the best vitamins for your skin, along with vitamins C, E, and K. Making sure you get enough vitamins can keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. This could translate to a reduction in: dark spots.
You will need at least 8-10 weeks before you notice the improvements on the skin all over the body. By following the good skin diet, the new skin cells formed will have the right nutrients to regenerate as strong, youthful and glowing.
“Moisturizing your face helps to protect the skin's barrier from irritation. It also helps to reduce the development of dryness, or helps you to revive your skin from dryness,” says Marmur. Moisturizer creates a barrier between your skin and the climate, including cold, dry air that can further dry out skin.
If you over-moisturize, the leftover moisturizer just sits on your face. With nowhere to go, this extra moisturizer will eventually fill up the pores on your skin and clog them, resulting in the production of acne, whiteheads, and blackheads.
"Skin's oil production peaks at midday, and there is less oil production at night. Therefore, when you lose that protective layer of natural oils, your skin loses more water, so it's important to replenish the water loss with a moisturizer overnight," says Sobel.
Moisturizers aren't magical, and they can't erase wrinkles, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. But the dermatologists of the AAD say that daily moisturizing traps water in the skin, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and make your skin look brighter and more youthful overall.