Spring sunshine means more of your skin’s showing. Why not ensure it looks its best? The best way to find your natural glow again is to reassess your products and put some self-care practices into play that’ll help boost your moisture levels, overall dewiness and probably even your mood. Below, a step-by-step route towards the answer for how to get glowing skin – the sort that’s luminous enough to meet the sunnier days ahead. Newsflash: Dull skin is cancelled!
A clean slate is key
While it’s easy to neglect exfoliating during the colder months, post-winter skin emerges drier than an autumnal leaf. But exfoliating products will put a stop to that. Not only do cleansers, exfoliators, peel pads and mini-peel masks function to reveal the freshest layer of complexion, but certain formulas can tackle your most concerning woes – from dark spots to rough texture. While the much-improved SKNLOGIC Exfoliate Enzymatic (R228) is a physical scrub, it’s formulated with micro, non-abrasive beads that leave the skin smooth to the touch. Plus, its skin-loving ingredients – like papaya extract and vitamin A – work to brighten and even out the skin. The success of the truly cult Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (R315 for 30ml or R895 for 118ml) is solely down to its no-frills effectiveness – and it’s now available locally! The 2% concentration of salicylic acid (BHA) is especially loved for fighting blackheads and acne in one gentle swipe. Green tea extract counters irritation typically experienced with harsh exfoliators. We advocate for a slow and gentle introduction to exfoliation.
Just add water
The main ingredient in the recipe for dewy skin is pretty simple: Water. One of the easiest ways to get that is by adding a hyaluronic acid serum to your mix. Your one-way ticket to smooth, hydrated skin, hyaluronic acid serums are essentially just shots of extremely concentrated hydrators that amp up your skin health as soon as you apply them. The new Bioderma Hydrabio Hyalu+ Serum (R720) deserves some commotion. This superstar serum is packed with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, and our dehydrated skin absolutely loves it. It’s easy to layer and almost instantly gives the skin a glow. Scared of acne? Choose a moisturiser that’s non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores), like the lightweight Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour HydraPlay Skin Perfecting Daily Moisturiser (R595). This new member of Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour family has an especially interesting formulation, combining the humectant benefits of hyaluronic acid, glycerin and squalane with a blurring and mattifying effect. Even though it’s massively hydrating, it feels like you have nothing on under your makeup.
Treat your skin with love – and active ingredients
Interested in treating yourself to some new face serums? Fortunately, the warmer weather comes with a slew of new offerings from some of skincare’s leading brands. Vitamin C serums are the LBD of skincare – everyone should have one. As a pillar of any highly effective skincare ritual, topical vitamin C is a cofactor for many cellular processes to maintain naturally glowing skin. Most of all, it scavenges free radicals and environmental pollutants that we encounter daily. The Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Corrector Serum (R770) is one of the best products you can buy, period. It has a gentle milky formulation that’s designed to penetrate your skin deeply to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also evening skin tone, brightening complexion and softening the skin. After a long, dark winter, a serum laced with what’s known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ seems promising. Many derms are championing vitamin D as a new way to turn back the hands of time. The sun-activated Esse Pro-Sun D Serum (R495) contains provitamin D and aloe vera leaf extract to strengthen skin’s barrier function.
Less is more
We’ve come a long way since heavy, full-coverage foundations. On a daily basis, more and more of us are leaning towards subtle radiance over layering up. When it comes to your base, your aim is to keep your complexion looking fresh and bare – and the new Lamelle Helase Photo-Repair Tint 50 (R640) is an easy way to achieve the look. A true multitasker with SPF 50. The natural matte coverage sits somewhere in the middle – expect more even skin with freckles that still shine through. Massage it in with fingers for the most seamless result, or use a foundation brush to build up the coverage over areas of redness. We love how it looks combined with the Azure Tan Hydrating Watermelon Face Tan Spritz (R599), newly launched in South Africa. Giving a whole new meaning to “I could do it in my sleep,” simply use a couple spritzes of this self-tanning mist before your nightly skincare routine and wake up the next morning with a sunkissed glow. It couldn’t be easier to use! The formula feels refreshing and nongreasy on the skin, and we like that it contains hydrating ingredients like watermelon water.
Create a lit-from-within complexion
Glowing skin is always in with liquid makeup products. Let’s be honest: When the goal is smooth, even, radiant-looking skin, liquid products are often the go-to choice. These options can be just as pigmented and blinding as their powdery counterparts, all while being extremely easy to build and blend with the rest of your complexion essentials. One of our favourites for instant radiance is the limited-edition, piña colada-scented RVB LAB Midnight Swim Illuminating Face Primer (R595). It’s incredibly versatile – you can apply it on bare skin or mix it in with your favourite foundation anytime you’re in the mood for an easily customisable glossy finish. How to recreate that gorgeous ‘sunburnt blush’ trend? It’s all about strategic blush placement. Sweep the new Revlon Illuminance Gel Serum Blush (R240) onto the apples of the cheeks and over the bridge of the nose. Take the blush quite high up onto the cheeks, where the sun would naturally hit the face. Just a few dots are all you need to awaken your complexion with a healthy-looking wash of colour. It’s offered in four shades, ranging from rosy pink to coral.
Enhance your body care routine
Want to give your décolleté, torso, arms and legs some extra love? Now more than ever, everyone can give their body the same thoughtfully crafted regimen as their face. There’s no doubt about it – you can get a great body lotion at the drugstore. And with Aveeno back in South Africa, the options just got even better. If you can’t stand the feel of most body creams, the Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Lotion (R200) has been a fan favourite for decades, and we love it too. A featherweight heavyweight, if you will. It hydrates and soothes dry, parched skin (even scaly areas like elbows) and is also fragrance-free (so it’s ideal for sensitive types). We love using it during the spring to alleviate that post-shower itch. Some occasions call for a light-catching body shimmer to complement a self-tan. The new Bio Sculpture Shimmer Mist (R290) infused with hyaluronic acid leaves skin with a healthy, glittering glow sans sticky residue or fabric transfer. You can either use it just on the high points such as your collarbones and shoulders, or you can use it all over. It also has an irresistible scent which lingers for hours.
