Eight Simple Steps To Radiant Skin

1. Nurture Your Skin Barrier

The skin barrier keeps moisture in and external aggressors – from pollution to bacteria and allergens – out. When it is healthy, skin looks and feels hydrated, plump and smooth; when it is compromised by extreme temperatures, overuse of active ingredients or over-exfoliation, it can become sensitive, reactive and dull. So looking after your skin is essential – once this clicks, overall skin health often falls into place.

One tweak that transformed my skin was swapping a traditional morning cleanse for a Garnier microfibre cleansing pad and water. It cleans effectively without disrupting the skin’s barrier (something even very gentle cleansers can do if used too frequently).

Prioritise barrier-building moisturisers formulated with ceramides, glycerin and fatty acids, and apply them generously. I love Aestura’s Atobarrier365 and Drunk Elephant’s Bora Barrier Repair Cream. And make sure your skin is adequately hydrated, which also helps with luminosity. Allies of Skin’s Beta Glucan & Resveratrol Advanced Hydrating Serum is brilliant, helping to calm and protect while infusing skin with moisture.

Daily SPF is also a non-negotiable, and formulas like Supergoop’s Glowscreen and Tatcha’s Milky Sunscreen add a touch of luminosity while they protect.

2. Exfoliate (But Gently)

There is a fine balance between over-exfoliating and not exfoliating enough, but done well, it is one of the fastest ways to revive achieve radiance. Skip grainy physical scrubs, which demand an ultra-light (and, in my opinion, expert) touch, and lean into chemical exfoliants instead.

Some of my favourites include Skin Rocks The Gentle Acid, Moussse Miracle Drops Overnight Exfoliant and Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%. Simply apply to a cotton pad, swoosh over your skin and leave them to work (they refine without stripping), but limit use to twice a week unless you know your skin can tolerate more. If you prefer a serum, Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment is brilliant.

3. Massage Your Face

Massage is one of the quickest ways to bring life and colour back to the complexion. Facialist Michaella Bolder, whose clients range from Lily Collins to Dame Helen Mirren, recently launched a membership platform teaching her face-sculpting techniques for at-home use. Her advice is to begin with lymphatic drainage: opening the lymph nodes helps clear waste and toxin build-up that can make skin look dull and lacklustre.

“Begin by gently tapping along the outer edge of the collarbone, then sweep across the chest area. Follow with 10-15 neck sweeps: bend your fingers slightly and use your knuckles to glide from just beneath the ear down towards the clavicle on each side, keeping the pressure featherlight,” she advises. Next, move to the jawline. Using your index and middle fingers like “bunny ears”, glide from the chin along the jaw towards the ear, hooking your fingers around either side of the jaw as you go. This technique helps to define the lower face and subtly sculpt the jawline.

There are myriad other moves to try – for example, pressing the heels of the hands between the brows and gliding upwards across the forehead – to boost circulation, release tension and bring vitality to the face in just a couple of minutes a day. All you need is a product with a little slip to help facilitate the motion. Bolder’s favourites include Medik8 Lipid Cleansing Oil and Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Amazing Sleep Oil.

4. Try An LED Mask

Used consistently, a good LED mask can have a powerful effect on the skin, helping to increase cellular turnover, stimulate collagen production, improve blood flow and reduce inflammation. You do need to use it at least three times a week to see results, and changes tend to appear after around six weeks rather than overnight. Standout options include the Nooance Elite X600 LED Face Mask, which houses 600 medical-grade LEDs in a very comfortable design, and Dr Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro, a beauty-editors’ favourite for its blue and red light settings that target acne and fine lines.

5. Do A Face Dunk

One of Kate Moss’s favourite tricks is to dunk her face in a sink of icy water – a ritual that has, naturally, gone viral on TikTok. It is an invigorating way to boost blood-flow to the skin’s surface and wake up a tired complexion. To make it more comfortable, add cryo tools to your routine. Omorovicza Cooling Dermaglobes live in my fridge for emergencies, and they’re brilliant at depuffing.

6. Rethink Your Base

Supporting your skin health leads to exceptional results over time, but the right makeup can deliver instant illumination. Most makeup artists recommend focusing a base only where it is needed – typically the centre of the face, where redness, blemishes and uneven tone tend to appear – which is why concealer can be an easy, natural-looking choice. Ilia’s new Skin Blur Serum Concealer offers good coverage without a flat, matte finish.

If you prefer foundation, use a light hand and smaller brush – like KJH Brand No.1 – to really work the formula into the skin. The aim is a seamless, “is-it-skin-or-makeup?” finish, not a visible layer sitting on top. Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation delivers a subtle sheen with reliable coverage, while ultra-light options such as Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint and Refy Skin Base offer a veil of dewy luminosity.

7. Highlight In The Right Places

Tapped onto the high points of the face – tops of cheekbones and bridge of nose – highlighter helps light catch the skin in all the right places. The key is choosing dewy rather than glittery formulas; a metallic, frosted sheen can flatten otherwise fresh skin. Chanel Baume Essentiel (in shade Transparent) is a foolproof balmy stick that makes skin look fresh-from-the-facialist, while Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Stick blends a similar glossy texture with a sheer flush of colour. You can mimic the effect with make-up-artist staple Weleda Skin Food, a rich, cushiony moisturiser that imparts a natural sheen. In a pinch, a little Vaseline does the job.

8. Eat Your Way To Luminosity

An unhappy gut often shows up as unhappy skin, so what you eat matters as much as what you apply. “It’s important to stabilise blood sugar, calm inflammation and nourish your gut so that the essential nutrients involved in skin health – such as vitamin A, omega-3s and antioxidants – can be used to repair the skin,” explains nutritionist and Artah founder Rhian Stephenson. Her advice is to eat plenty of plants and aim for around 30g of fibre a day to feed the microbiome, while swapping ultra-processed snacks and pastries for nuts, oats, legumes and quality protein to minimise inflammatory breakouts.

Vitamin A-rich foods – including organic red meat, eggs and oily fish – can support cellular turnover and a resilient skin barrier. Targeted supplements can also help: Artah Skin Clinic contains vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to brighten, hydrate and support collagen production, while omega supplements (such as the brand’s Essential Omegas) can reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier.