I can say with confidence that most of us would like to have glowing skin. After all, why else would we invest in pricey luxury beauty items if they didn’t make our skin look absolutely flawless? There are plenty of ingredients and skincare products out there that can help us achieve this. Some say hyaluronic acid is the way to go, while others love things like retinol for a boost of radiance. But what if I told you there was a much simpler swap you can make in your routine that can also give you a megawatt glow? I reached out to my arsenal of experts to give us the scoop on how. If you’re curious, keep scrolling. I’ve also enlisted their help in finding the absolute best glowing-skin products money can buy. You’ll find all their recs below.
There are a lot of different ways you can finally have the glowing skin of your dreams, but there’s one key step in your routine that can really make a huge difference. “It’s only obvious that everyone wants to achieve that perfect glow, but what I’ve learned after all these years in the industry is that most people do not know how to exfoliate properly,” aesthetician and Facify Beauty founder Crystal Koro. “Either they are using products that are too harsh and rough or not using the proper form of exfoliation for their skin type.” If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to opt for something extremely gentle and only exfoliate a couple times a week. For those who are acne-prone or have oily skin, you may want to opt for a BHA toner with salicylic acid or even a PHA one.
Dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, agrees. “Exfoliating, about two to three times per week is critical to remove dead skin cells to keep skin bright and smooth,” he says. “You’ll also want to protect skin from environmental factors that contribute to aging skin, such as UV radiation and pollutants, by using products that include sunscreen and antioxidants, respectively.”
Another glowing-skin secret Koro has is to incorporate a device like the Facify Beauty Wand ($399). “Facify offers a unique five-iron head pulse magnetic massage head that provides a cooling massage to help with de-puffing, toning, and promotes blood circulation, which truly gets your skin glowing. It also improves fine lines and wrinkles and promotes lymphatic drainage to reduce inflammation of the face. It truly feels like getting a professional lymphatic massage but in the comfort of your own home,” she shares. For a few expert-recommended glowing-skin products, keep on scrolling.
“This luxurious face moisturizer contains a patented lipid ratio of 2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids to replenish skin and address signs of aging and give it a glow.” — Camp
If a moisturizer and makeup primer in one is more your thing, try this one from Elemis. It contains energizing kombucha, fermented green tea seed oil, and active prebiotics to help protect the skin’s delicate microbiome and give it a serious glow.
This is one of the best products I’ve ever used to achieve glowing skin. It makes my skin feel so hydrated and smooth before I put on foundation. Rich in hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, E, and a peptide complex, it leaves your skin radiant and perfectly prepped for makeup application.
This best-selling toner from Glow Recipe delivers some serious results. Watermelon extract and hyaluronic acid hydrate while PHA and BHA exfoliants cleanse the pores of debris for smoother, brighter-looking skin.
“This toner helps cleanse the skin of excess oil, tighten pores, and prepare it for the application of other products. It’s also alcohol-free, helps reduce redness, oil, and leaves skin feeling smooth.” — Camp
Niacinamide, arbutin, and licorice root extract in this formula soothe inflammation, tone the skin, and give it an overall smoother and brighter appearance.
“Vitamin C serums help neutralize free oxygen radicals that develop throughout the day as a result of UV radiation, cellular metabolism, and exposure to pollutants. This 15% vitamin C serum helps increase the skin’s radiance and evens skin tone.” — Camp
“This literally makes you look like a glazed doughnut. It contains a 30% concentration of lipid-soluble vitamin C that helps brighten, firm, and protect the skin. I love the plant-based blend of exotic seed butters that reduce skin sensitivity, smooth skin texture, and hydrate. It also has my favorite ingredient of all, squalane. Squalane feels like an oil, except it not. It’s a smaller molecule that deeply hydrates the skin. It acts as the perfect glide or slip for any of your favorite skincare tools.” — Koro
This patented day serum from SkinCeuticals has amassed a cult following in the skincare community. Celebs, dermatologists, and skincare enthusiasts alike all sing its praises for the incredible antioxidant protection it provides along with the unreal glow. Is it pricey? Yes. But the formula is also 100% worth it.
“I really love the Skinbetter Detoxifying Scrub Mask because it uses gentle, biodegradable spherical beads to lightly resurface the outer layer of skin. It exfoliates my skin without being too harsh and removes unwanted oil. Safe for all skin types, I use it two to three times per week. On my off nights, I make sure to cleanse deeply with my multifunctional Facify Beauty Wand. It not only gives me one but three different silicone cleansing options to choose from to ensure that I am thoroughly cleaning and prepping my skin for my next skincare steps.” — Koro
This deeply hydrating overnight mask from Youth to the People plumps and brightens the skin giving it a next-level glow. With antioxidant-rich superberries, squalene, and hyaluronic acid, the rich formula leaves skin extra soft and youthful.
I love using this mask whenever I get a little congested. The turmeric, papaya enzymes, and aspen bark in the formula always leave my skin looking extra radiant after use.
“A must-have [of mine] would be, hands down, Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter. This sheer, radiant foundation gives a skin-like finish for everyday, or it’s great for the minimalist who doesn’t want to look like they’re wearing makeup.” — Judi Gabbay, Celebrity Makeup Artist
“A favorite all-in-one product of mine would be Glowscreen by Supergoop. Not only does it give my skin a youthful and effortless iridescence, but it also boasts a protective SPF 40 for summer days.” — Gabbay
“Prepping your skin with the Elaluz Beauty Oil is a key step in achieving glowing skin! It all begins with skin. Drinking enough water during the day also is huge.” — Hailey Hoff, Celebrity Makeup Artist
