How to Get Glowing Skin: 10 Doctors-Approved Tips for a Luminous Look
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
A radiant, luminous complexion is something many people work toward. This guide shares 10 evidence-informed tips — covering both skincare and lifestyle — that may help support a healthier, more glowing appearance over time.
Start with a Solid Skincare Foundation
Before adding powerful serums or active treatments, it helps to establish a consistent daily routine. Healthy, well-cared-for skin forms the basis of a more radiant complexion. These first two steps — cleansing and moisturising — are the foundation of everything else.
Tip 1: Master the Art of Cleansing
Cleansing removes accumulated dirt, excess oil, makeup, and environmental pollutants that can contribute to a dull appearance and congested pores. Use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type — a cream-based formula tends to suit drier skin, while a gel cleanser is generally better tolerated by oilier skin types. Massage the product in with your fingertips using light, circular motions. Avoid hot water or harsh scrubbing, which can disrupt the skin's protective barrier. If you wear makeup or sunscreen, double cleansing in the evening — starting with an oil-based cleanser, then following with a water-based one — can help ensure thorough removal.
Tip 2: Hydrate Consistently with Moisturiser
Well-hydrated skin tends to appear more plump and smooth, which may help it reflect light more evenly. Dehydration can contribute to a dull, flat appearance and make fine lines more visible. Applying a moisturiser twice daily — immediately after cleansing while the skin is still slightly damp — helps support the skin barrier and reduce water loss. Extending application to the neck and chest is also worthwhile.
Look for Moisturisers with Hyaluronic Acid or Ceramides
Two ingredients worth looking for in a moisturiser are hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that draws water into the skin, helping to maintain hydration. Ceramides are lipids naturally present in the skin barrier; topical application can help replenish them, supporting barrier integrity and reducing moisture loss. Together, they may help keep skin feeling smoother and more supple.
Incorporate Active Ingredients for a More Luminous Appearance
Beyond the basics, certain active ingredients are well-studied for their role in supporting skin radiance, tone, and texture. Introducing them gradually and consistently tends to produce the most noticeable improvement over time.
Tip 3: Consider a Daily Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is a well-studied antioxidant that may help protect skin from the effects of environmental exposure — including UV-related oxidative stress — and is thought to play a role in inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production. This may contribute to a more even skin tone over time. For daily use, applying a few drops of a Vitamin C serum in the morning, after cleansing and before moisturiser and sunscreen, is a common approach. As with any active ingredient, some individuals may experience mild initial sensitivity; if this occurs, reducing application frequency is advisable.
Tip 4: Smooth Texture with Gentle Exfoliation
A layer of accumulated dead skin cells can scatter light unevenly, contributing to a dull, rough-looking surface. Exfoliation helps remove these cells, which may reveal fresher-looking skin underneath and allow other skincare products to absorb more effectively. That said, over-exfoliating can impair the skin barrier and increase sensitivity, so once to three times per week is generally sufficient for most skin types.
Chemical vs Physical Exfoliants
There are two main approaches:
Chemical exfoliants use acids or enzymes to loosen the bonds between dead skin cells. Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid and lactic acid are commonly used for surface dullness and uneven texture. Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), such as salicylic acid, are oil-soluble and can penetrate into pores, making them a consideration for oily or breakout-prone skin types.
Physical exfoliants use friction to manually remove dead cells — examples include fine-particle scrubs, cleansing brushes, or muslin cloths. Choosing products with smooth, rounded particles and using a gentle touch helps minimise the risk of micro-abrasions.
Tip 5: Consider a Retinoid for Long-Term Skin Renewal
Retinoids — derivatives of Vitamin A — are among the most extensively studied topical ingredients in dermatology. They are thought to accelerate skin cell turnover, which may help prevent the accumulation of dead cells at the surface, and research suggests they may support collagen production over time, potentially contributing to improved skin texture and reduced appearance of fine lines.
Over-the-counter retinol products are widely available and represent a reasonable starting point. However, because retinoids can cause initial dryness and sensitivity — particularly when used alongside other active ingredients — it is advisable to introduce them slowly (starting on alternate nights) and to apply a moisturiser afterwards. If you are unsure whether a retinoid is appropriate for your skin, speaking with a doctor first is a sensible step.
Protect Your Skin from Environmental Damage
Maintaining a radiant complexion over time requires protecting skin from daily environmental stressors. UV radiation and pollution contribute to oxidative damage in skin cells, which can manifest as uneven pigmentation, dullness, and changes in skin texture.
Tip 6: Use Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Daily
Daily sunscreen use is widely considered one of the most important habits for maintaining skin health and appearance. Cumulative UV exposure is a leading contributor to photoageing — a process that can include hyperpigmentation, loss of skin firmness, and uneven texture — and occurs even on overcast days, during short periods outdoors, or near windows.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. "Broad-spectrum" indicates protection against both:
UVA rays, which penetrate more deeply into the skin and contribute to longer-term changes in pigmentation and elasticity
UVB rays, which cause sunburn and contribute to cumulative UV-related skin damage
Apply sunscreen as the final step of your morning routine, every day. Both mineral formulas (containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) and chemical formulas are effective; choosing a texture you find comfortable to wear consistently is generally the most practical approach.
Support Your Skin Through Lifestyle Habits
Topical products play an important role, but overall lifestyle also influences skin health and appearance. The following habits are associated with general wellbeing and may also contribute to how your skin looks over time.
Tip 7: Eat a Diet Rich in Antioxidants
Diet is one of several factors that may influence skin health. A varied intake of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats — foods associated with adequate antioxidant and nutrient intake — is generally considered supportive of overall health, which can extend to skin appearance.
Colourful fruits and vegetables such as berries, citrus, leafy greens, and bell peppers provide Vitamin C, which plays a role in the body's collagen synthesis process and in protecting cells from oxidative damage.
Healthy fats found in oily fish, walnuts, flaxseeds, and avocados contribute to dietary omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, both of which are associated with skin barrier and cell membrane health.
Lean proteins and nuts provide amino acids and minerals such as zinc and selenium, which are involved in skin repair and normal cellular function.
A balanced, varied diet is generally the most practical approach; no single food is likely to produce noticeable changes on its own.
Tip 8: Prioritise 7–9 Hours of Quality Sleep
Sleep plays a role in the body's general repair and recovery processes, and research suggests that consistently poor sleep may be associated with accelerated visible signs of skin ageing, including dullness, uneven tone, and reduced skin barrier function. Aiming for 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep per night is broadly recommended for overall health and may also support a more refreshed skin appearance.
Chronically poor sleep is associated with elevated cortisol levels, which may increase sebum production and promote inflammatory responses, potentially affecting skin clarity in some individuals.
Tip 9: Manage Stress for Clearer Skin
Chronic psychological stress may affect skin health. Elevated cortisol can influence sebum production and promote inflammatory processes, which may contribute to changes in skin clarity and barrier function in some people. While the relationship between stress and skin is complex and varies between individuals, stress-management practices are broadly associated with improved wellbeing.
Approaches worth considering include:
Mindfulness, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises
Yoga or regular gentle movement
Time outdoors or in natural settings
Consistent engagement with activities you find meaningful or enjoyable
Tip 10: Support Circulation with Regular Exercise
Regular physical activity supports cardiovascular health and overall circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells throughout the body, including in the skin. This can contribute to a healthier, more refreshed appearance. Aiming for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days — such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming — is a reasonable general target consistent with broad health guidelines.
Conclusion
A more luminous complexion is generally the result of consistent habits rather than any single product or treatment. Combining a well-maintained daily routine — including gentle cleansing, reliable hydration, targeted active ingredients, and daily sun protection — with supportive lifestyle habits creates the conditions for healthier-looking skin over time.
The basics remain the foundation: a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser with barrier-supportive ingredients, a Vitamin C serum for antioxidant support, and broad-spectrum sunscreen applied every day. For longer-term improvements in texture and tone, gradual introduction of a retinoid may be worth discussing with a doctor. Beyond the routine, diet, sleep, stress management, and regular activity all contribute to the overall picture.
If you have specific skin concerns — such as persistent pigmentation, sensitivity, or changes in skin texture — a consultation with a qualified doctor can help identify the most appropriate approach for your individual skin.
Note: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual treatment plans should be developed in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. Treatment outcomes vary from person to person, and no guarantee of results is intended or implied. All professional treatments mentioned should be performed by licensed medical practitioners in Singapore, using HSA-approved or otherwise MOH-approved products, devices, and techniques, as applicable.
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