How can I get shiny skin?

Nothing beats the feeling of glowing, radiant skin. You know the feeling — when your complexion looks so good you can't stop taking selfies or checking yourself out in any reflection you pass. No shame, OK? If your goal is to achieve this look on the regular (same), you've come to the right place. First things first: Yes, anyone can achieve *that* glow. "It is absolutely a myth that only those blessed with beautiful skin can have [glowing skin]," says board-certified dermatologist and founder of SKINFIVE, Dr. Ava Shamban. That's right, with a simple skincare routine and staying hydrated, anyone can be well on their way to ✨dewy ✨skin.

But before we get into how to get glowing skin, it's important to understand what it even is and how our skin can look that way. "This translates into a well-hydrated, super moisturized complexion with just the right touch of natural oil," explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara. "Yes, the oils on your face make you glow too, it's not just the lotion in a bottle," she says.

Glowing skin is a journey that can take some time. Don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate results. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, "It often takes several weeks or even months of continuous use of your skincare products to see benefits." Alright, now that we understand the basics of radiant skin, here are 15 tips that will help you achieve it.

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1. Stay hydrated.

I know, I know, you've heard it before, but anyone will tell you that the key to healthy-looking skin is staying hydrated. So, grab yourself a cute water bottle (may I suggest a Hydroflask?) and make sure it's with you at all times because no matter what else you do, if you're not hydrated, your skin will show it.

2. Learn your skin type.

Before you can start treating your skin, it's important to know what kind of skin you have. Is it oily, dry, or a combination? Do some research or head to the dermatologist to get a definite answer. This way, you can make the most out of the products you use by picking lotions, washes, and masks that specifically target your skin's biggest issues.

3. One word: Sunscreen.

I don't care if it isn't even sunny out, you should be wearing sunscreen every. single. day. UV rays damage your skin cells, and make your skin's surface uneven, meaning it won't "reflect the light very well, hence no glowiness," Dr. Shamban says. So, make it part of your morning routine and slap on suncreen every day!

4. Moisturize!

And while you're already applying cream to your face, make sure you moisturize as well. Dry skin looks dull, so hydrate your face at least once a day with a good moisturizer. Dr. Gohara says that for an extra hydration boost, especially in the winter, you can double moisturize. "Use a hydrating sheet mask over a layer of hyaluronic acid serum," she says.

5. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.

Dr. Gohara says washing your face with a gentle and hydrating cleanser is crucial to achieve the glow. "Harsh cleansers strip your skin of natural oils, leaving it dry and more likely to be irritated," she explains.

6. Try out toner.

Before you put on anything else (I'm talking serum, moisturizer, or makeup), try applying a toner. This will allow serums and other products you put on your face to penetrate deeper so you're really getting all that goodness. If you have oily skin, Dr. Shamban recommends a drying toner with witch hazel or salicylic acid. For dry skin, try a clarifying toner with glycerin or ceramides.

Try These Toners!

Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner

Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner

Dickinson's Enhanced Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Hydrating Toner

7. Use a Vitamin C serum.

Incorporate Vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant, into your morning routine. "It protects against free radicals and pesky chemical particles, which wreak havoc on the skin. Free radicals come from pollution, the sun, and even our computer screens and cell phones," says Dr. Gohara. Yes, Vitamin C is practically magic.

Check Out These Vitamin C Serums!

Dermatologist Recommended

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting & Brightening Serum

Maelove Skincare The Glow Maker Antioxidant Serum

Lumene Valo Vitamin C Glow Boost Essence with Hyaluronic Acid

Neogen Dermalogy Real Vita C Powder Lemon

TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum

8. Up your face mask game.

Who doesn't love a good face mask selfie? Add masking to your skincare routine and lay one on every night as you do your homework or watch Bridgerton for the tenth time.

Check Out These Face Masks!

Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay

Origins Clear Improvement™ Charcoal Honey Mask to Purify and Nourish

First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Bouncy Mask

Check Out These Vitamin C Serums!

Dermatologist Recommended

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting & Brightening Serum

Maelove Skincare The Glow Maker Antioxidant Serum

Lumene Valo Vitamin C Glow Boost Essence with Hyaluronic Acid

Neogen Dermalogy Real Vita C Powder Lemon

TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum

9. Sheet mask 24/7.

I know, I know, I already told you to mask, but those are clay masks (yes, there's a difference). When you're not doing those, or if you're too lazy to do them (🙋🏻), try sheet masks. They're super easy to use and many have brightening effects.

Try These Sheet Masks!

St. Ives Glowing Apricot Face Mask Sheet

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Sheet Mask

Vitamasques Vitamin C Cherry Sheet Mask - 0.71 fl oz

10. Exfoliate!

Dr. Shamban recommends a gentle exfoliator once or twice a week because getting rid of dead skin cells will allow the skin underneath to shine. If you're torn in between which type of exfoliator to choose from, Dr. Zeichner breaks down the difference between physical and chemical exfoliation. "Physical exfoliation uses gritty particles to manually remove dead cells from the skin's outer layer," he says. "Chemical exfoliation uses acids to dissolve connections between cells so they naturally can be shed. There’s data suggesting that chemical exfoliators like glycolic acid also help stimulate collagen production."

Although it sounds scary, try using a chemical exfoliate (don't worry, it's actually very gentle on your skin because it doesn't involve scrubbing), as opposed to the physical exfoliants you're probably more comfortable with.

Check Out These Exfoliants!

Pixi Glow Tonic with Aloe Vera & Ginseng, 8 oz

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

The Ordinary Peeling Solution

11. Combat unevenness.

One reason why your skin might not be shining bright is due to unevenness. In order to speed up the natural turnover of skin cells and get rid of uneven skin texture and coloring, dermatologists recommend retinol or other retinoids. "[Retinol] helps enhance cell turnover and stimulates collagen production. This improves skin tone and texture or, enhances radiance, brightens dark spots, and minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," Dr. Zeichner says. These ingredients can be irritating to the skin, though, so start with one that has a low concentration and only apply it three nights a week until your skin builds up more of a tolerance.

Try These Retinoids!

Olay Regenerist Retinol Face Serum

Differin Acne Treatment Differin Gel

THE ORDINARY The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid

Dermalogica Retinol Acne Clearing Oil

12. Eat up all the antioxidants you can.

OK, so we've gone over all of the things that you can do to your face to boost your glow, but there are some more steps to take that will work from the inside-out. Dermatologists suggest foods that are high in antioxidants to help your skin glow. Try grapes, berries, and nuts like pecans and walnuts. The antioxidants in these foods have been linked to protecting your skin against UV damage, so next time you're looking for a midday snack, make sure to grab those blueberries. Dr. Shamban also suggests making your own fruit juices from farmer's market fruits and vegetables to "see your skin perk up."

13. Get good sleep.

It's called beauty sleep for a reason! "Enough sleep assists the skin in normal skin turnover and exfoliation," Dr. Shamban says. When you aren't getting enough sleep, your skin pays the price, so make sure to get at least seven hours a night.

14. Remember that consistency is key.

Your skin might feel glowing one day and not the next, which Dr. Gohara says has to do with your natural oil production. "I recommend keeping a consistent routine, not over-exfoliating, and moisturizing every day," she says.

15. Hack your glow with highlighter.

Yes, achieving a natural glow is great, but there's also a way to get the look of it even on days when your skin is just not cooperating (we've all had those days). It's all about the highlighter! Get a color that is more on the natural side so the secret behind your glow is safe with you.

Check Out These Highlighters!

ColourPop Super Shock Highlighter

L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter

Maybelline Facestudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter Makeup

I like pink, iced coffee, and long walks through the candle section. When I'm not lighting up my favorite scents (probably while testing out new skincare), you can find me writing and editing all of the lifestyle things at Seventeen. 

Carolyn Twersky is an associate editor for Seventeen covering celebrities, entertainment, politics, trends, and health. On her off time, she's probably watching Ru Paul's Drag Race, traversing NYC for the best donuts, or, most likely, enjoying time in her favorite place in the world: her bed. 

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