L uminous skin is the beauty standard around the world. A symbol of good health, youth, and vitality, radiant skin is a sought-after trait for many. Crack the code to achieving showstopping skin with these professional tips and tricks brought to you by Carrie Harmon, the Assistant Director of the award-winning Forbes Five-Star Post Oak Spa.

Cultivate Inner Beauty

We’ve all heard that true beauty comes from within, but that colloquialism is actually very true when it comes to skincare. According to Harmon, “Diet is extremely important in healthy skin. What to avoid will depend on your specific skincare concern.” For example, people suffering with acne should avoid dairy and everyone should avoid sugar which can trigger inflammation and speed up collagen loss.

Nourishing your body with whole foods, vitamin packed greens, and hydrating fruits sets your skin up to be radiant on a cellular level. Omega-3’s found in fish oil, nuts and avocado have a positive effect on your skin’s heath. Try to avoid greasy fried foods, excessive sodium, processed sugars and dairy to keep your skin happy and healthy.

Protect Yourself

When it comes to skin damage and anti-aging, prevention is better than cure. Religiously wearing a high SPF sunscreen is a simple step you can add to your daily skincare routine that makes a big difference in the long run. Explore lightweight tinted sunscreens, viral Korean sunscreens and classic sunblock to find the sunscreen that best fits your lifestyle.

Exfoliate Gently

Regular exfoliation sloughs off the rough outer layer of dead skin cells to reveal the smooth skin beneath. Using gentle exfoliating methods can improve cell turnover which encourages the generation of new skin cells. Take care not to over exfoliate and only use exfoliating products one to two times per week. Try exfoliating with chemical peels and organic scrubs to unlock your skin’s radiant potential.

Hydrate

Experts agree that hydrated skin is happy skin. “The best way to keep your skin hydrated is by drinking plenty of water,” Harmon said. Hydrated skin is smooth, supple and plump, while dehydrated skin can look dull and show fine lines, wrinkles, and dark under eyes. On average, most people should be drinking three to five liters of water per day depending on activity level. Drinking water flushes toxins from the body leaving skin with a youthful glow.

Treat Yourself

Daily facial massage can be a relaxing ritual to end your day, or an energizing morning routine. Practicing lymphatic massage on your face and neck helps relieve muscle tension, improve blood circulation and reduce puffiness. Explore different types of facial massage including techniques, facial yoga, jade rolling and buccal face massage. Give your skin a boost by booking a professional facial and massage for extra dazzling, glowing skin.

Include Key Ingredients

Incorporating key ingredients into your skincare routine can level up your skin’s appearance. Products with hyaluronic acid are recommended by Harmon for their famous hydrating properties. This mighty chemical compound can be applied topically or ingested, and it helps improve skin elasticity, cell hydration and even joint health.

Less Is More

The multi-step skincare routine is all the rage on Instagram and TikTok, but too much of a good thing can be harmful to skin as well. “Avoid over moisturizing your skin”, said Harmon. Adding too many products and too much moisture can result in clogged pores and acne. Overdoing it with heavy moisturizers can also discourage your skin from producing its own natural oils and result in even dryer skin in the long run.