Why don’t we all have flawless skin? Is it really too much to ask for? Seriously, we’re tired of waking up with dark circles, acne, and redness. We’re so desperate for the secret to glowing skin that we’ll try every new face wash, sunscreen, and anti-ageing cream that hits the market. Yet, nothing seems to work or last.

So, what’s the secret to glowing skin? How can we make sure that our skin stays beautiful no matter if we’re happy, excited, or stressed? The keys are a few dos and don’ts of glowing skin.

The Golden Rules

DO always remove your makeup before going to bed each night. Your skin desperately needs to breathe at the end of the day, and the worst thing you can do for your skin is leave on pore-clogging makeup. You’ll wake up with blemishes, blackheads, and worse. If you don’t have makeup remover, use a little bit of olive oil.

DON’T forget to exfoliate at least a few times a week. Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells, leaving you with glowing skin. Use natural skin exfoliation products for a gentle option. Take a look at these amazing natural facial scrubs from The Crunchy Moose.

The Sun

DO apply sunscreen every single day. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Just be sure to choose a noncomedogenic product to protect your pores.

DON’T only use sunscreen when you’re at the beach or on sunny days. Even on cloudy days or in the middle of winter it’s important to protect your skin. In fact, when you’re planning to be around reflective surfaces like snow or water, an SPF of at least 30 is recommended.

Your Diet

DO remember that you are what you eat. What you put into your body can heavily affect your glowing skin. Make sure you eat foods high in nutrients like vitamin C. You can even drink Skin Herbs Tea every day to help with your skin.

DON’T eat spicy or fermented foods. You should also avoid foods that are high in sodium, fried, or high in acid content. Spicy and acidic foods can dull your skin and cause blemishes.

Sweat It Out

DO remember to exercise regularly. Sweating and getting your blood pumping can help cleanse your body and give you glowing skin.

DON’T wallow in your sweat. Before you workout, apply a toner to help minimize your oil production. After you workout, exfoliate and then apply shea butter or another moisturizer.

Glowing skin doesn’t have to be out of your reach. Just remember that your skin is the largest organ in your body and can be affected by a myriad of little decisions. If you want beautiful and healthy skin, then you need to focus first on your overall health.

Image via @montanalower