8 Skincare and Makeup Tips to Transform Your Skin Into a Dewy Dream

Contrary to what many celebrities and viral beauty gurus may want you to believe, dewy skin is rarely something that happens by chance. Instead, this glowy, radiant-but-not-greasy look is achieved through a mixture of a great skincare routine, healthy habits (drink your water!), and makeup products that impart a subtle yet natural-looking luminosity. Those are the broad strokes, anyway. Ahead, we’ll share eight editor-approved for achieving that coveted dewy glow and introduce you to our favorite glowy skin products to add to your routine. Keep scrolling for the need-to-knows.

What Is Dewy Skin?

Dewy-looking skin goes by many hashtaggable names: glass skin, jello skin, even glazed donut skin. No matter what trendy moniker you know it as, this luminous look is characterized by plump, smooth, even-looking skin with a natural-looking glow. It looks hydrated, but not greasy—similar to the way your skin looks after a day spent lounging poolside in the summer (with SPF, of course).

How to Get Dewy Skin

The bad news: Glowy skin doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a dedicated skincare routine and consistency to achieve a clear, healthy, dewy look. The good news: We can tell you how to get started. Keep reading to learn how to get glowy skin that feels as good as it looks.

1. Exfoliate regularly

Exfoliating is among the fastest—and most effective—ways to get a brighter complexion. While both chemical and physical exfoliation have their merits, the former tends to be a bit gentler on the skin. We’re especially fond of exfoliating cleansers, such as L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser. It’s formulated with both alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids and helps resurface the skin to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion over time.

2. Use a vitamin C serum…

While makeup can help create the illusion of dewy skin, your skincare routine is what does most of the work. And vitamin C serums are a must-have on the glowy skin front, as this powerful antioxidant can help to address discoloration and visibly brighten the skin. As such, we suggest adding a vitamin C serum, such as L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum, to your daily skincare routine for glowing skin. This powerful brightening serum instantly boosts radiance, refines the skin, and helps visibly even skin tone. (It also hydrates, smooths, and helps reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines—a true multi-tasker).

3. …And a niacinamide serum

According to the Cleveland Clinic, products with niacinamide can help brighten the skin, fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and soothe redness—all of which are threats to your healthy skin glow. Incorporate the powerhouse ingredient into your regular routine with L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum, which helps visibly fade age spots, sunspots, and post-acne marks, while gently exfoliating surface cells to brighten the skin. Use it in conjunction with your vitamin C serum or reserve one for daytime and one for evening.

4. Slather on SPF

While dewy-looking skin may be reminiscent of a day spent sunbathing, soaking up the rays will do your skin more harm than good. No matter the forecast or time of year, the United States Food and Drug Administration advises everyone protect their skin by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 during the daylight hours. We suggest the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Invisible UV Fluid because the lightweight formula boasts an SPF of 50 and includes an invisible finish that blends well on all skin tones (no white cast here).

Editor’s tip: Keep in mind that when it comes to sun protection, SPF is only part of the equation. You should also seek to stay out of direct sunlight at midday and seek shade whenever possible to protect your skin from the sun.

5. Reach for skincare-makeup hybrids

There are quite a few products that can help you achieve dewy skin, but there’s one product combination we recommend to anyone who will listen: Mixing an illuminating primer with moisturizer for the perfect makeup-meets-skin care moment.

Try mixing a pea-sized amount of the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer with a nickel-sized dollop of the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream. The former will give you a hint of pigment and tons of glow, while the latter deeply hydrates and helps plump the skin.

6. Use a hydrating makeup primer

Uneven skin texture can affect how well light bounces off your skin and dull your glow. As such, we recommend priming your skin when using makeup—they help create a smoother, more even base for your products to adhere to. Our pick is the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Pore Minimizer, which comes in four varieties: one to reduce dullness, one to neutralize visible redness, one to mattify, and one to minimize the appearance of pores. Apply whichever suits your skin, smoothing it on like a moisturizer.

7. Use liquid and cream makeup

We love powder makeup, but if dewy skin is what you’re after, liquid and cream formulas are the way to go. Forgo the full-coverage foundation and reach for one that offers a skin-like finish, such as L’Oréal Paris True Match Ultra-Blendable Foundation. It’s available in 47 true-to-skin shades for a precise color match (if you need help finding your shade, try this virtual shade finder tool). If you prefer something even sheerer, we love the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum. The formula with hyaluronic acid instantly brightens and leaves skin feeling hydrated.

After foundation, add liquid highlighter to the areas you’d like a bit more luminosity—we recommend targeting the high points of your face (namely, the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and Cupid’s bow).

8. Finish with a glossy lip

There’s no sense in pairing your dewy skin with dry, chapped lips. Complete your look by applying a hydrating lip gloss with a subtle tint. We love the L’Oreal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Gloss with Pomegranate Extract for this. The hydrating, non-sticky formula comes in 12 buildable, dewy shades that deliver a wash of sheer color with a gorgeously glossy finish.

What Products Give You Dewy Skin?

As we mentioned, dewy skin is achieved over time via a thoughtful, consistent skincare routine. But if you want an instant boost, reach for L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer—it’s among the best products for dewy skin in the L’Oréal portfolio. The viral formula contains luminous pearls that help enhance the skin’s natural glow, and it can be used in several ways. Apply the shade closest to your skin tone to prime your skin for makeup, apply it in lieu of your foundation for an ultra-glowy base, or tap on a lighter shade to highlight the high points of your face for sun-kissed luminosity. You can even use it in place of contour for a sculpted look that catches the light just right.

Of course, to keep up the dewy vibes, remember to stock your shelves full of skincare for radiant skin. Look for products with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, and as always, consult a dermatologist if you’re having trouble nailing down the right routine for you.

Next Up: 12 Long-Lasting Products That Will Stay Put During a 90-Degree Festival Weekend

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris