Hello, glow: 5 tips for glowing skin

Everyone’s after that holiday glow right now - but maybe the office air-con or your dry patches have other ideas. No matter your skin type, it’s still possible to achieve that summer shine!

Radiant skin is a sign of good health and brings a natural, fresh appearance. The best changes come from a combination of skincare practices and healthy lifestyle habits, so we’ve put together 5 suggestions to work towards that sunkissed glow.

We’ll be looking at:

• Your vitamin A and C intake
• Using lactic acid to exfoliate
• Ways to hydrate your skin
• Cleansing for the perfect base
• Incorporating superfoods with Pip & Pod

1. Get on your vitamin A-game

Whether they’re in your bathroom cabinet or on your plate, a diverse vitamin intake is one of the most crucial steps to glowing skin.

Vitamin A is famed for its contributions to youthful, supple skin. It’s an antioxidant, a substance which disarms the harmful free radicals present in the body.¹

It can also encourage (healthy) oil production, leaving you naturally moisturised. 

Our vitamin A levels deteriorate if we don’t keep them up, so it’s important to consume a range of vitamin A-rich foods such as:

• Fish
• Dairy products
• Eggs
• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Leafy greens. 

When you eat foods with vitamin A, your liver transforms it into retinol.²

Retinol’s main appeal is that it stimulates collagen production - keeping skin firm and helping to limit the appearance of wrinkles. Collagen is an essential natural component of skin, hair, and nails and can aid in a glowing, youthful appearance. 

You can find retinoids ready to go in skincare products, too! Look for it in oil, cream, serum, and mask forms. The Vitaskin Vitamin A Intense Cell Renewal Oil is packed with retinoids and carrot seed oil to rejuvenate tired skin cells and maintain a silky complexion. 

However, please note that retinol temporarily weakens your skin’s barriers, so you should only apply it at night. Then, use a high-protection SPF the next morning. 

2. Introduce an AHA 

Let’s face it: when we say “tonic”, our first thought may be a cool G&T.

However, you might want to consider an AHA Tonic if you’re looking for a smoother, more lively complexion. 

Lactic acid - a type of alpha-hydroxy acid, or AHA - can contribute to a more even skin texture.

A study published by the American Academy of Dermatology found that regular, topical application of lactic acid can help reduce fine lines on both an epidermal (surface) and dermal (deeper skin) level.³

BYBI is at the heart of gentle, planet-conscious skincare, and their Day Glow Brightening AHA Tonic uses 100% cruelty-free and vegan lactic acid as its exfoliating base.

Lactic acid is one of the gentlest chemical exfoliators, and Day Glow is designed to lift dead cells and brighten dull, uneven skin. 

What’s more, its superfood base (reishi and shiitake mushrooms) may reduce the appearance of redness, soothing your face for a healthier look all round. 

3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

You might hate to hear it, but staying hydrated is the oldest trick in the book for radiant skin. Adults should aim to drink two litres of water each day. 

The skin holds water in with a barrier of skin cells and lipids (a kind of fat). Holding water in this way gives the skin a full, soft appearance. 

Those prone to dry skin lose water more easily and may find their complexion looking dull and feeling sensitive. 

Hyaluronic acid is popular for its hydrating properties. It naturally occurs in the fluid that lubricates your eyes and joints.

This slippery substance can hold nearly 1000 times its weight in water, so it can aid in keeping that water barrier intact.⁴ 

A restorative serum like our Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Serum can help to add natural shine to delicate skin. 

If you struggle to keep up your water intake, natural teas can help make things a little more exciting. Alternatively, try incorporating a skin- and mood-friendly drink like Nexba’s Glow Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Nootropic. Its gentle fizz feels like a treat, but is made from all-natural ingredients. 

4. Don’t forget to cleanse

Big night? If you wear makeup, forgetting to take it off is your skin’s equivalent of a hangover. Sleeping with makeup on can trap pollutants under the skin and give your face a dull, lifeless appearance.

But accidents happen! Start your day with a gentle cleanser like the Skin & Tonic Get Up & Glow Jelly to help forgive skin sins. Its Prebiotic Inulin helps to balance the skin’s microbial life, and ultra-hydrating aloe nourishes parched complexions.

The gentle formula lifts impurities - leaving nothing but a natural glow beneath. 

If your skin’s feeling stuffy, look for “non-comedogenic” on your skincare labels. This means the product is developed to avoid clogging pores and may prevent the buildup that leads to mild breakouts and dryness. 

5. Use the power of superfoods

We love to challenge ourselves with nutrient-rich superfood recipes - but applying them to your face can have just as many benefits. 

Our new Pip & Pod Watermelon Glow Drops are a go-to for an instant splash of hydration. 

Made of approximately 92% water, watermelon is one of the most hydrating foods you can eat…or put on your face.⁵

It’s a good source of vitamin C (about twice as much as an apple per serving), which is another vitamin for its glow-getting properties. 

Vitamin C is regarded as an essential nutrient - but our bodies don’t actually produce it ourselves. 

A 2017 study from New Zealand suggests that most healthy skin contains high levels of vitamin C in the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin which keeps your body hydrated.⁶ It also promotes collagen synthesis to maintain elasticity in the skin and increase that dewy, youthful look. 

The vegan Pip & Pod range is based on our favourite skin-feeding superfoods, but we love the Glow Drops for an any-time burst of gorgeous skin.

As well as providing the long-term benefits of watermelon extract, it’s formulated for an instant “summer skin” appearance.

And then what?

The great thing is that these practices are more than skin deep! Learning to hydrate and nourish your body will keep you ageing well - and less likely to experience recurring skin problems such as dullness and dryness. 

Find a skincare routine that works for you and you’ll be glowing inside and out. 

Last updated: 11 July 2022