Skincare Routine for Glowy Skin: Your Guide to Radiance

Achieving radiant, glowing skin is all about using the right combination of nourishing and protective products. A consistent routine, with targeted ingredients for hydration, brightening, and repair, can help reveal that coveted lit-from-within glow. Below, I’ve outlined a simple skincare routine, including my go-to morning and nighttime products, as well as a couple of makeup essentials that I love to enhance your natural radiance throughout the day.

Morning Routine: Prepping for the Day

Start your day with a focus on hydration, brightening, and protection. Here’s a morning routine that will leave your skin looking fresh and glowy:

1. Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
   A gentle, hydrating cleanser is essential to keep your skin soft and supple. This one helps cleanse without stripping your skin of its natural moisture, thanks to its ceramide-rich formula.

2. Toner: Caudalie Beauty Elixir
   This iconic facial mist is packed with antioxidants from grape extract and essential oils that instantly refresh and brighten your skin. It’s perfect for prepping your skin for the rest of your routine, delivering a burst of radiance and refining your complexion. Plus, the cooling sensation feels fantastic as part of your morning ritual!

3. Serum: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic (Dr. Ali’s Holy Grail)
   Vitamin C is a powerhouse ingredient for brightening skin and protecting it from environmental damage. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic is my top choice for its potent antioxidant blend, which helps even out skin tone and boost radiance.

4. Moisturizer: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer
   Hydration is critical for glowing skin, but nobody wants to look greasy. This lightweight moisturizer deeply hydrates while keeping shine under control, leaving you with a fresh, dewy finish.

5. Sunscreen: Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 (When I’m using a tinted moisturizer or a CC cream with at least SPF 50, I skip this step)
   This sunscreen doubles as a primer and gives your skin an instant glow. With SPF 40 and ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, it not only protects your skin from UV damage but also leaves you with a subtle, radiant finish that enhances your natural glow.

Makeup for a Natural Glow

For a radiant boost, a well-formulated CC cream and a touch of highlighter will do wonders:

1. Makeup Staple: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream (Dr. Ali Holy Grail)
   This CC cream is a fantastic multi-tasker, combining the benefits of skincare and makeup. I have been using this religiously for 5+ years. With SPF 50, it offers excellent sun protection while providing buildable coverage and a radiant finish. The hyaluronic acid and peptides in this formula keep your skin hydrated throughout the day, helping maintain a glowing complexion. Plus, it blurs imperfections, evens out skin tone, and imparts a natural, dewy look without feeling heavy on the skin.

2. Highlighter: Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer
   For an extra touch of glow, apply a liquid highlighter to the high points of your face. This one from Rare Beauty blends seamlessly into the skin, giving you a soft, luminous finish that enhances your natural radiance.

Night Routine: Repair and Recharge

Your evening routine is all about rejuvenating and repairing the skin. Here’s how to nourish and renew your complexion while you sleep:

1. First Cleanse: Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm (Dr. Ali’s Holy Grail)
   Start your nighttime routine with this luxurious cleansing balm to remove makeup, sunscreen, and impurities. The balm melts into your skin, dissolving away the day’s buildup while nourishing it with essential oils. It leaves your skin feeling soft, clean, and hydrated.

2. Cleanser: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser
   Follow up with this hydrating cleanser to thoroughly cleanse your skin and remove any remaining impurities. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, which locks in moisture for soft, refreshed skin.

3. Retinoid: Altreno (my choice of prescription retinoid- always consult a dermatologist before starting one!)
   A retinoid is essential for boosting skin cell turnover and enhancing radiance. Altreno contains hyaluronic acid to reduce irritation while delivering the anti-aging benefits of retinol, smoothing skin texture, and brightening over time.

4. Serum: Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
   After your retinoid, use a hyaluronic acid serum to lock in moisture and keep your skin plump and hydrated while it repairs overnight.

5. Moisturizer: Epionce Intensive Nourishing Cream
   Finish your routine with Epionce Intensive Nourishing Cream for intense hydration and repair. This rich moisturizer supports your skin’s barrier while delivering deep hydration, making it perfect for reducing the appearance of fine lines and leaving your skin soft and glowing by morning.

6. Slugging: CeraVe Healing Ointment (Dr. Ali’s Holy Grail)
   For an extra layer of hydration, finish your routine with a thin layer of CeraVe Healing Ointment. This technique, known as slugging, helps lock in moisture and ensures you wake up with soft, glowing skin.

   Final Thoughts

   Glowing skin is attainable with the right combination of hydrating, brightening, and protecting products. Whether the instant boost of Caudalie Beauty Elixir in the morning or the rich nourishment of Epionce Intensive Nourishing Cream at night, every step in this routine works together to enhance your natural radiance.