How to Have a Fresh Looking Face
Who doesn’t want to have fresh, glowing, youthful skin? If you’re interested in stepping up your skin care game, we have tons of helpful ideas for you. We’ll start by sharing a few crucial tips to help improve your skin’s hydration, tone, texture, and overall health. Then, we’ll touch on a few lifestyle changes that can have a big impact on your skin’s appearance.
1
Do a sheet mask to get your glow on.
Sheet masks are super hydrating and only take 10-15 minutes. Look for sheet masks with skin nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to really plump and moisturize your skin. Since over-using sheet masks can irritate your skin, stick with one application a week.[1]
Try other types of masks to target specific issues. For example, overnight masks are great for extremely dry skin. Clay, sulfur, and mud masks are awesome for soaking up oil and gently exfoliating your skin.
2
Reduce eye puffiness with a cold compress.
You can also use chilled cucumber slices or spoons for this. If you’re dealing with eye bags, use something cold to quickly reduce the swelling. Place a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a towel over your eyes for about 10 minutes to cut down on swelling and inflammation
3
Refresh your skin with a face mist.
Look for a hydrating formula without any alcohol in it. Face mists can provide a quick burst of hydration any time during the day. You can apply a quick spritz of face mist to clean, makeup-free skin, and it’s fine to use over your makeup, too! Look for hydrating ingredients like lactic acid, glycerin, aloe leaf extract, and hyaluronic acid to plump your skin.[3]
Alcohol will dry out your skin so definitely steer clear of that.
Most products say you can apply throughout the day as often as you like for a quick burst of hydration.
4
Use skin care products with targeted ingredients
Certain ingredients can refresh and brighten your skin. Moisturizing and exfoliating are a great start, but consider kicking your skin care regimen up a notch if you want a truly fresh-faced glow! Experiment products that target specific issues like skin tone, texture, fine lines, and wrinkles. You can get them OTC or by prescription.[4] Some ingredients to look for and what they target:
Retinoids (fine lines and wrinkles)
Vitamin C (skin tone and brightness)
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic, citric, and lactic acid (fine lines, wrinkles, smoothness)
Peptides (skin texture and fine lines)
Niacinamide (moisture, skin elasticity)
5
Wash your face twice a day with warm water.
Hot water strips your skin’s natural oils and makes it dry. Dry skin is dull, flaky, and one of the main reasons why skin doesn’t look fresh. Using lukewarm water helps maintain your skin’s protective oils. If you’ve been using hot water, you’ll probably notice the difference in your skin almost immediately.[5]
If you just can’t part with a nice, steamy shower (it feels so good!), keep your face dry when you’re washing your body. Then, wash your face at the sink once you hop out.
6
Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser.
Look for a non-foaming cleanser that’s fragrance- and alcohol-free. Harsh ingredients get your skin squeaky clean, but they also strip your skin’s protective oils along with the dirt. Abrasive cleansers (like scrubs) can irritate your skin if you use them daily, and fragrance can cause dryness and irritation. For the best results, stick with a mild cream or gel formula.[6]
Drugstore cleansers like Cetaphil and CeraVe are mild, affordable, and recommended by dermatologists for all skin types.[7]
7
Exfoliate 1-2 times a week.
Exfoliating removes dead skin so your face looks fresh and bright. If you have dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, try a mild chemical exfoliant like 5% glycolic acid to refresh your skin. Avoid mechanical exfoliants (like scrubs) since they’re a little harsh for you. If you have oily skin, stronger chemical treatments and scrubs are good options to reveal smoother skin. No matter what skin type you have, limit exfoliating to twice weekly so you don’t irritate your skin.[8]
Avoid strong chemical and mechanical exfoliation if you have hyperpigmentation or if you tend to scar easily.
Always apply moisturizer after you exfoliate your skin.
Never exfoliate your skin if you have open cuts or a sunburn.