5 Beauty Secrets to Brighten Your Skin

Why does skin look duller with age? There are many reasons, but neglect is a definite factor. While skin’s ability to regenerate new skin cells, repair past damage, and maintain elasticity will inevitably decline with time, providing a little boost through sleep, diet, and concentrated care will help to restore its natural radiance. The following are five quick tips to help get a brighter, more youthful glow.

Get More Sleep

Late at night, when the body is fast asleep, skin gets to work on reversing the day’s stresses and environmental aggressions. Old cells flake off, the skin’s natural barrier is repaired, circulation is boosted, and cells are restored, resulting in a fresher complexion come morning. Without some quality snoozing, human growth hormones—responsible for cell production and turnover—decline and levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, begin to rise, stunting collagen production. The result is tired and inflamed skin, a lack of hydration, and dullness. To naturally boost skin’s radiance, simply set a bed time, stick to it, and commit to some quality beauty sleep every night.

Cut the Sugar

The saying “you are what you eat” rings true when it comes to processed foods and your skin’s appearance. No matter how well committed we can be to our skin care routines, sugar will take its toll. Through a process called glycation, sugar binds to proteins in the blood, creating Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs). AGEs stunt collagen production and wreak havoc with the skin’s hydration levels. For a younger-looking complexion, cut out refined sugars, limit your intake of high glycemic index (GI) foods such as potatoes and white bread, and swap out sugary fruit for fresh, water-rich vegetables.

Use a Niacinamide Serum

To reverse the effects of your past sugar intake, opt for a serum containing niacinamide (vitamin B3). This vitamin not only halts damage caused by AGEs, it also reverses visible signs of aging and prevents hyperpigmentation for a youthful glow. What’s more, niacinamide helps to restore your skin’s natural lipid barrier, which maintains skin’s hydration and radiance. By strengthening this lipid barrier, your skin will be better able to protect itself against environmental aggressors, thereby reducing redness and boosting brightness. Apply a niacinamide serum at least once per day.

Use Radiance-Boosting Makeup

While you’re waiting on the above methods to take effect, consider adding a little radiance with illuminating makeup. Get that youthful glow you’re looking for by applying light, illuminating creams or powders to the undereye area, across the cheekbones, and wherever light naturally hits the face. Apply makeup sparingly to avoid potential creasing or an overdone “high-wattage” look. You may also opt for a light foundation that contains illuminating ribbons or pearls for an all-over glow.

Opt for Skin-Rejuvenating Photofacial Treatments

For an added boost to your brightening beauty regimen, consider a series of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) photofacial treatments. Using IPL technology, light is delivered deep into the skin, generating heat when absorbed by the targeted tissue. Skin imperfections are corrected without damaging the surrounding area, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, discoloration, and other signs of premature aging. The result is a brighter, more youthful-looking complexion.

To learn more about the benefits of IPL photofacial treatments, locate a provider near you: