Here are 5 quick and easy massaging techniques that can help firm and energise the skin:

First, apply the desired serum or moisturiser to the face.

Step 1: Place the fingers at the centre of the chin and glide them towards the temples.

Step 2: Place the fingers at the corners of the mouth and glide them in an upward movement towards the temples.

Step 3: Lastly, place the fingers at either side of the nose and glide them towards the temples once more.

Repeat the above-mentioned steps 3 to 5 times or up to 10 times.

Step 4: Next, place the fingers at the temples and glide them upwards towards the hairline. Repeat this step 5 to 7 times.

Step 5: Lastly, place the fingers on the bridge of the nose and gently glide them towards the forehead. Repeat this step 5 to 7 times.

1. Exfoliate Two To Three Times Per Week

There’s nothing that dulls the skin worse than a dense layer of dead skin cells and clogged pores. Remedy this with a chemical or physical exfoliant! 

With chemical exfoliants, we recommend a peel or serum that uses AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs. When choosing a physical exfoliant, stick to one that is gentle, as too much of a physical exfoliant can irritate the skin and damage the skin barrier. 

2. Hydrate - Inside And Out

While moisturizing daily with a high-quality, non-comedogenic topical is important for hydrating the skin, drinking enough water and loading up on moisture-packed food, such as fruit and vegetables, is also essential for achieving soft, glowing skin! 

3. Use A Daily Cleanser

Daily cleansing, especially at night, is important for effectively removing debris like dirt, oil and pollution particles that can clog pores and cause dullness. 

Think about it this way: your skin is like a window; when you clean off all the dirt, dust, and grime coating the glass, the light can finally shine through! That’s how a high-quality cleanser works – clearing away all the crud so your skin can take on the glow that it deserves. 

4. Do A Facial Massage

Not only are facial massages incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating, they actually stimulate blood flow, encourage lymphatic drainage, and increase the delivery of oxygen to amplify your skin’s luminosity. 

5. Get Enough Sleep

Beauty sleep isn’t just an old wives tale! Making sure you’re getting enough sleep is actually incredibly important for healthy, glowing skin. 

This is because your skin goes to work while you rest, repairing and revitalizing itself. If you’re suffering from breakouts, dull skin, or dehydration, it’s during the nighttime that your skin aims to rejuvenate and replenish so you can wake up feeling refreshed. As many medical professionals say, it is best to aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night! 

6. Eat Your Vitamins

As mentioned above, hydrating doesn’t just mean externally moisturizing your skin – it also means eating water-rich foods to hydrate your body from the inside out! This is the same with vitamins and minerals. 

Instead of only focusing on applying serums and creams with added vitamins and antioxidants, such as Vitamin C or green tea, make sure you’re loading your plate up with healthy, nutrient-dense foods as well. 

For example, eating enough fruits and veggies supply your skin with antioxidants and phytochemicals, while nuts and seeds deliver a brilliant boost of healthy fats. 

7. Try A Dermatologist-Recommended Cosmetic Treatment

If you’ve tried all of the above tips on how to get glowing skin, yet you still aren’t achieving that ethereal radiance, why not visit a board-certified dermatologist for a professional cosmetic treatment? 

For instance, at Scott Lim Dermatology, our chemical peels can dramatically impact the skin and improve everything from fine lines and wrinkles to acne scars and pigmentation issues. 

Not to mention, these two treatments – especially chemical peels – revitalize and rejuvenate the skin for a soft, vibrant glow. 

At last, we can say farewell to bottled shampoos thanks to the evergrowing selection of minimally packaged, solid alternatives that get the job done. However, it is not always easy to find one's bearings when sifting through the different product labels. Generally, natural cosmetic producers do not differentiate between the product types, classifying all their shampoo alternatives as "solid shampoos". There is a distinct difference between solid shampoos and hair soaps. Let's take a closer look.

Solid Shampoos

Solid shampoos are the eco-friendly version of conventional liquid shampoos. Their composition is similar to that of their liquid counterparts with the distinct difference that the water component has been removed. These shampoos consist of various surfactants, oils, perfumes and colourants which work well to form a lather similar to that of liquid shampoos. One bar of solid shampoo is the equivalent of two liquid shampoo. The pH value of solid shampoos is generally equal to that of the skin and the solid version has the advantage that it will not spill out in your luggage while travelling.

Hair Soaps

Hair soaps are what the name suggests: soaps that cleanse the hair. They are manufactured by saponifying oils and fats with lye. These products have an alkaline pH value, therefore, it is advised to follow up with a so-called acid rinse after shampooing. An acidic rinse entails using a water-vinegar or water-lemon juice solution to rinse the hair.

The acidic rinse has several benefits: it seals the hair follicle, encourages shine and prevents limescale buildup. Simply dilute one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in one litre of water. The ready-made solution, Acidic Hair Rinse with Rose Geranium by Maternatura, can be found in-store at Ecco Verde.

These days, more and more manufacturers are opting to produce hair soaps and solid shampoos in numerous variations targeted toward individual hair types, in a selection of fragrance blends and for a number of hair concerns. Whilst hair soaps have more simple formulations, solid shampoos have the advantage of not requiring an acidic rinse after use. Therefore, the latter is the best pick when transitioning from conventional liquid shampoos to the eco-friendlier alternative.

Now that we've established the difference between the two cleansers we'll leave you with a few product usage tips:

Solid shampoos are practical, compact, light-weight, economical and space-saving alternatives. Simply create a lather in the palms of your hands and apply the cleanser to wet hair, massaging the scalp to cleanse or rub the shampoo bar directly on the scalp. Only a small amount is needed.

It is essential to store solid shampoos and hair soaps on a soap dish to dry well. Do not leave them in puddles of water. They are ideal for travel - just place the product in a soap dish or other container when dry, slip them in your carry-on or suitcase and you're good to go!