Natural glow: What other cosmetic brands don't tell you

Everyone's talking about glow . Everyone wants it. And there's a ton of advice out there. From the Korean layering technique to shimmering facial oils, especially popular in natural cosmetics . But what hardly anyone mentions: all these methods for more glow have their downsides. We're taking a closer look at the methods for the "perfect glow" and revealing how you can get more glow without damaging your skin. And, as always, we're paying special attention to sensitive skin.

Glow is synonymous with healthy skin. The word describes skin that is free of pimples, redness, and other wounds or dry patches. At least in theory. The skin radiates, as if you've just come from sports or yoga. That's why makeup trends like "Yoga Skin" and skincare goals like "Glass Skin" have emerged in recent years.

Behind this lies the desire for (almost) perfect skin that radiates health. Evolution has designed us to like it when others exude health, as this is associated with fertility. That's why a natural, healthy glow is so popular. There's nothing inherently wrong with that – but perfectly optimized skin shouldn't be your goal. Healthy skin isn't textureless, as Photoshop and filters on social media and in magazines suggest. Every skin type has its own individual pore size. This is largely determined by genetics. If you've had acne, you might have a few more enlarged pores, scars, and more texture. Rosacea-prone skin is a bit redder here and there or has some bleeding and dilated blood vessels. During an acute flare-up of atopic dermatitis, there's more flaking. And hyperpigmentation also occurs on healthy, radiant skin. That's just how it is – and we think that's great. It makes us unique. True beauty always has an element of imperfection.

Natural glow or perfect glow? These are worlds apart. In this article, you'll find tips on how to achieve a healthy, natural glow without irritating your skin or harming its health. Especially with sensitive skin, the skin barrier must not be damaged just to achieve a perfect visual result.

Perhaps you're also asking yourself these questions: How can I get a beautiful glow without irritating my skin? Which methods are suitable for sensitive skin? We'll answer these questions in this article.

But remember: Nobody looks like they've just stepped out of a beauty salon every day, and that's perfectly okay. A healthy, natural glow is definitely possible.

There is no single miracle cure for a glow. Many roads lead to Rome. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses. We will examine these in the following.

Perhaps you've experienced it yourself: your skin becomes very smooth and even after exfoliating. The old, loose skin cells are removed, and your skin reflects the sun's rays. Many people interpret this as a glow. The new layer of skin was previously protected from environmental influences. So, exfoliation works wonderfully when it comes to achieving that glow.

Nevertheless, you should be careful here. There are a few pitfalls when it comes to exfoliation . Skin flakes also have a significant benefit for your skin. They protect it from environmental irritants. Once a month, your skin sheds the old, used layer of skin. The older we get, the slower this process becomes. These loose skin flakes, still clinging to the skin, can slightly impair its radiance. It's okay to remove them with a gentle scrub if you want to support this natural process. However, there are differences between scrubs. Some help support the skin's natural exfoliation process, while others can penetrate deeper and exfoliate more intensely. You should never exfoliate sensitive skin too harshly. For sensitive skin, a mild enzyme peel is best, as it simply supports the natural exfoliation process. Enzyme peels are the gentlest type of exfoliation. You can use an enzyme peel once or twice a week. In any case, you should avoid mechanical scrubs.

Even non-sensitive skin doesn't need to be exfoliated with highly concentrated, aggressive peels just because it tolerates them better than sensitive skin. Mechanical exfoliation can create micro-injuries that are entry points for germs and can lead to inflammation. Just because your skin is more robust doesn't mean you should do everything. Even though excessive exfoliation is constantly shown on social media and in the media, while you can achieve a visually appealing result in the short term with high-percentage acid peels like AHA, you risk your skin health in the long run if you overdo it. It's often carelessly recommended to use such acids daily. Some people even use them twice a day. Even the strongest skin barrier will eventually break down and give out. This can lead to perioral dermatitis, for example, after some time. The mildest acid is PHA .

An enzyme peel is the gentlest solution and provides support without causing damage. And there are also a few other tricks you can combine to achieve a radiant complexion.