These genius radiance-boosting tricks give instant, natural results.
A major component – and signal – of healthy skin is a natural glow. But causes like lack of sleep, stress, age, and even what you eat can rob your complexion of its radiance. The good news is that you can transform skin that looks dull and tired to luminous and glowing at home. Just follow these expert skincare and make-up tips, and home remedies, to make your face glow naturally, no matter how much time you have: months, a week, overnight, or even instantly!

1. Cleanse regularly (and fully!)
Key to radiant skin: Clearing your “canvas” by thoroughly removing debris like dirt, oil and pollution particles that can clog pores and cause dullness. Wash your face morning and night by massaging in a small dollop of face cleanser lightly with fingers in circular motions, working from the inside of the face out for full coverage. For daily use, try a cleanser for boosting radiance, and do a deeper cleanse weekly by applying it with a facial cleansing brush.

2. Exfoliate your skin
One of the best ways to brighten skin and boost its glow both, immediately and long term is by exfoliating. The process removes skin’s outer layer of dead cells so its surface is smoother and clearer and reflects light. Apply either a physical exfoliant, like a face scrub, two to three times per week or a chemical exfoliatior, such as a face peel, once per week for sensitive or dry skin and three times maximum for other skin types.

3. Then, hydrate and protect
For more radiance, follow with a layer of moisturizer. When skin is moisturised, 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. Try a sunscreen that also contains glycolic acid, a gentle exfoliant, as well as brightening vitamin C.

4. Look for brightening skincare ingredients
In topical skincare treatments like serums and moisturisers, look on the packaging for terms such as “brightening” and “skin tone-evening”, and active skincare ingredients like: Vitamin C – an antioxidant that brightens skin by blocking an enzyme that produces pigment, and Niacinamide (vitamin B3) – that slows pigment production to lighten dark spots.

Additionally, ingredients like Resorcinol and alpha-arbutin break down pigment for a more even skin tone. Daily application of these star brighteners can illuminate your complexion over time; effects can be visible within a few weeks, with optimal results in about three months.

5. Moisturise skin regularly
Don't apply moisturiser just once in a while or when skin feels dry. Lack of hydration makes your complexion dull and even accentuates wrinkles. Apply a topical moisturiser morning and evening to replenish hydration.

The best type to choose? Face lotions and creams are generally more hydrating than oils, serums, and other formulas; they're emulsions (blends of oil and water components) that carry hydrating ingredients into skin's top layers, helping it hold moisture.

6. Use shimmery lotion to boost glow
Good news: You can also get a glow in seconds! The new category of skincare and makeup hybrid products called "glotions" combine the hydrating benefits of a moisturiser with the radiance-boosting effects of a highlighter. These formulas contain humectant ingredients, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, that draw moisture into skin to immediately make it appear plump and smooth, mixed with finely milled minerals like mica that reflect light to give skin an immediate but subtle allover glow. Smooth one on as you would a face lotion before make-up, wear alone for a natural look or tap a dot on the high points of your face, such as the tops of your cheekbones and underneath the arches of your eyebrows, to get a touch of no-makeup radiance.

7. For a fast fix, try a face mask
To get instant skin-plumping and glow-boosting benefits when skin feels lackluster or before a special event, smooth on a hydrating face mask and let it soak into skin. A good, hydrating mask can raise skin moisture levels by up to 25% in just minutes.

8. Know when to call a dermatologist
To tackle stubborn skin hyperpigmentation issues such as large or numerous dark spots (from sun damage or other causes) and melasma for long-lasting clarity, visit a board-certified dermatologist, who can recommend the best options for you. These can include prescription topical products, in-office medical skincare treatments like professional facial peels, microdermabrasion and lasers, or a combination of therapies.For sun damage, like dark spots and pigmentation from acne scars, lasers such as broadband light and intense pulsed light are very effective. Procedures like microneedling, an intensive form of exfoliation, as well as a series of chemical peels, work best for melasma.

9. Or make your own DIY mask
Whip up this homemade skincare face mask to enhance skin's vibrance. It's soothing and tightens pores. If you want extra exfoliation, add two tablespoons of almond power and scrub the formula onto the skin before leaving it on as a mask – your skin will be glowing!

• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1/2 cup mashed strawberry
• 1/4 cup honey

Mix all ingredients together together in a bowl. Apply to face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for five minutes, then rinse.

10. Give your face a massage
A massage is good for more than relaxing your muscles. Massage your face every day as you wash it – the motion increases circulation and gives skin a natural vibrance. Do a few upward and downward strokes on each cheek to see an effect.

11. Hydrate from the inside out
And don't forget good old H2O. Proper hydration is directly related to skin cell regeneration, which is key to glowing skin. Aim for eight to 10 cups per day of unsweetened drinks like water (including sparkling or fruit-infused), tea and coffee.

12. Eat antioxidant-rich foods
Yes, what you eat can have an effect on your skin's glow. Load up on grapes, berries and nuts like pecans and walnuts, which are rich in polyphenols such as ellagic acid and resveratrol. Preliminary research has linked this type of antioxidant to helping protect skin cells from UV damage like hyperpigmentation. Aim to incorporate them into your diet daily in meals, like breakfasts, salads, or desserts, or alone as a snack.