How to Get Dewy Skin, No Matter Your Skin Type

Cleanse With a Vitamin C Cleanser

"There is no powerhouse ingredient better than vitamin C to help brighten your skin, combat pigmentation, and contribute to overall better skin health," says Cindy Kim, cofounder of Silver Mirror Facial Bar. That's because it works by interfering with pigment production and reducing inflammation, all while protecting your skin against free radicals and environmental damage. Luigi L. Polla, MD, founder of Forever Institut and Alchimie Forever agrees, noting that if dewy skin is the goal, you should look for cleansers with enzymes or fruit acids that provide a deep cleanse and slight exfoliation, such as this AHA and vitamin C cleanser from Pacifica.

Tone Immediately Post-Cleansing

Celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau notes that without water, your skin’s health is compromised—which is never ideal in the quest for plump, dewy, and bouncy-looking skin. And, get this: After washing your face and patting it dry with a towel, you have a 60-second window before moisture evaporation will occur, according to Rouleau. "I immediately apply an alcohol-free toner to deliver water to thirsty cells and avoid that awful dry, tight feeling," she says. Try this pick from Nuria—it boasts a serum-y, silky formula that coats your face in moisture post-cleansing. And, it's especially lovely for more dry skin types, as it contains glycerin, mallow root, and rose oil.

Incorporate Niacinamide Into Your Routine

Rouleau says that since circulation can be impaired with age, skincare products with ingredients such as peppermint, vitamin B12, niacinamide, and ginseng root extract work to improve blood flow activity to bring about a fresh radiance. "When applied topically, they may dilate the blood vessels, allowing the skin to accommodate more nutrient-rich blood," she adds. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is especially great for brightening, as it helps repair damaged DNA and reduces the effects of sun-induced UV rays.

Consider Your Moisture Barrier

According to Rouleau, dry and flaky skin can be byproducts of a damaged moisture barrier. So, naturally, to get beautiful, glowing skin, you need to start by repairing the skin barrier. Rouleau says to look for a product designed to repair the skin barrier and rescue dry, red, or sensitive skin with soothing and hydrating ingredients.

Biossance created a moisturizer that does just that. It's a nontoxic, sustainably sourced, and clinically proven brand, and it's one of the best when it comes to hydrating dry skin. Each of its products is made with squalane (our bodies produce their own version but the amount retained in your skin decreases over time). It's ultra-hydrating and, when mixed with probiotics (like in the case of this gel moisturizer), it promises to improve your skin's moisture barrier and leave it brighter and more balanced.

Exfoliate Wisely

"As we age, the skin naturally loses its glow or dewy look for a couple of reasons, including the natural sloughing off of dead skin cells slowing down," says Polla. "This means that a look of dullness will be apparent if you don't help these dead skin cells slough off through exfoliation." He recommends weekly exfoliation, noting that it becomes more essential as you age. Kim agrees, explaining that a buildup of dead skin cells can make even the dewiest skin look dull and sad. "Regular and gentle exfoliation with an enzyme mask or glycolic and lactic acid-based peel pads can immediately brighten your skin by sloughing dead skin cells away," she says.

What's more, exfoliation also helps your skincare products absorb into the skin better since it's removing a layer of dead skin cells that would otherwise block your other products from penetrating the skin. Tata Harper's offering instantly creates that glowing, dewy skin, offering up a bright, smooth pre-night out canvas (and even works to stave off my Botox appointments).

Give Yourself Regular Facial Massages

"Regular massaging (I love to use this Rose Quartz Butterfly Stone) helps to drain puffiness and toxins," says celebrity facialist Georgia Louise. Massaging your skin, even for just a few seconds, brings about "more blood cells to the skin, more oxygen, and better absorption of products," explains Sonya Dakar, Beverly Hills esthetician and founder of Sonya Dakar Skin Clinic. Plus, she says it works to de-puff those inevitable tired, morning eyes with lymphatic drainage.

For dry skin, esthetician Joanna Vargas instructs to massage in circular motions upward. "Start at the base of the neck where your arteries are and massage in gentle circles upwards, toward the jaw, up the sides of the face, and around the eyes," she says, noting that this will help coax nutrients into the tissue. Prone to breakouts? Do the opposite motion and start on the top of the face by the eyes—she says this will draw the waste away. "A lymphatic drainage massage can completely change the look of someone’s face and is a great, under-the-radar skincare tip," says Vargas.

Don't Skimp on Serums

No matter your skin type, a serum will help. There are so many different formulas—ones to hydrate, anti-age, brighten, exfoliate, everything. More often than not, a dermatologist or esthetician will also recommend a hyaluronic acid serum. Kim explains, "Incorporating a hyaluronic acid-based serum in the morning and at night will provide the ultimate boost in hydration for all skin types—this is a must in every skincare regimen." This means that your skin looks and feels replenished, plump, healthy, and super glowy.

Use a Ceramide-Rich Face Cream

Polla says that the purpose of ceramides is to enhance the skin’s barrier function, prevent loss of moisture, and maintain water within the stratum corneum and epidermis. "In other words, they help the skin not get dehydrated by ensuring that the skin can adequately keep its moisture through a more effective barrier function," he explains. This ceramide-rich facial cream from Curél checks every dewy skin box—it's lightweight and doesn't feel greasy, and it promises to repair the skin's natural protective barrier by keeping hydration intact.

Rehydrate With a Mist

"Facial mists aren’t just spray bottles filled with fancy water," Kim says. At least, not the good ones. Instead, she explains that the mists you should invest in contain skin-healthy ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, which work to calm the skin, rehydrate, and provide instant dewiness throughout the day. Our favorite is Emma Hardie's Plump & Glow Hydrating Facial Mist ($55)—it features a combination of aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, wild water mint, and rosehip oil meant to effectively reduce signs of aging, pollution, dryness, and redness. A few spritzes will also provide a soft-focus and luminous finish, it's perfect for setting your makeup or as a light skin refresher throughout the day.