Everybody is looking for that elusive immaculate skin ‘glow’ that signifies healthy and youth. Unfortunately, we’re still all human, so things like ageing, stress, bad diet, ill health, lack of sleep and even external pollution can interfere with our complexion’s ability to radiate beauty at all times.

Thankfully, there are a number of things you can do to bring back that luminous glow. Even women who think they are past obtaining that youthful shine can improve their skin condition dramatically (because trust us, you can still be beautiful at any age!). We consulted with a specialist qualified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, Dr Daniel Lanzer, to find out how to get immaculate skin. Here’s how to do it:

Hydrate inside and out!

If there’s one thing that’s 100% guaranteed to make your skin look dull, dry and wrinkled and that’s dehydration! No matter how much moisturising cream or other skin hydrating treatments you plaster upon your face, you won’t be able to plump out your dehydrated skin in the same way that drinking more water can do.

Once you’ve had your eight glasses a day though, you can give your skin even more elasticity, tone and youthful bounce by applying a hydrating moisturiser morning and night, such as the one mentioned in the next tip.

Protect yourself from the sun

Another definite skin ager, UV rays do the same thing to your skin as an oven does to a roast, so do whatever you can to avoid too much sun exposure. Wear hats and sunglasses, and use a moisturiser with an SPF of at least 15. Dr Lanzers Anti Aging Program brand, D’Lumiere Esthétique, has an excellent Day Defence Moisturiser SPF 15+. It contains ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and DNA anti-ageing enzymes that boost hydration while protecting your skin from the harsh rays of the sun.

Keep your skin clean

You can’t have lovely skin if it’s coated in impurities! Oil, dirt, makeup and pollution residue can clog pores, cause breakouts and can make your skin look dull. Washing your face in the morning and before bed with a facial cleanser like the Deep Purifying Cleanser from D’Lumiere Esthétique will keep you looking clean and fresh. Follow your cleanse up with your moisturiser.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating – which removes the outer layer of dead skin cells – is a great way of bringing about that youthful glow and it works immediately. You can apply an exfoliant cream at home two or three times a week; however, be sure to purchase an exfoliant that’s gentle on the skin, as excess skin tugging can result in ageing.

For a professional exfoliating treatment, you can’t go past a glycolic acid peel. These peels exfoliate your skin, as well as help speed up cell renewal, stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, lighten pigmentation and help clear up acne. Another option is microdermabrasion, which is an amazing, non-painful way to exfoliate the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin, firm the skin and unclog pores. The innovative DermaSweep technique is a type of microdermabrasion, but even more effective.

For people with more prominent skin blemishes and abnormalities, you can opt for skin laser resurfacing, which sounds a little daunting, but is a non-surgical, anti-ageing procedure that removes small lines and makes your skin even-toned and rejuvenated.

Use skincare ingredients that brighten the complexion

When purchasing topical skin treatments, look for words like ‘brightening’, ‘evening skin tone’, or ‘reducing pigment’. Ingredients like the antioxidant, vitamin C, can even out and brighten your skin by blocking pigment-producing enzymes. Other brightening ingredients include vitamin B3 (niacinamide), resorcinol and alpha-arbutin to name a few. These should be applied daily for best results, which generally become apparent within weeks.

Dr Lanzer’s D’Lumiere Esthétique vitamin C Antioxidant Serum is ideal for ageing skin that has been sun-damaged. It promotes a youthful, radiant complexion and can be added to your usual skincare routine.

Eat an antioxidant-rich diet

You are what you eat, so chuck away those dry, wrinkly takeaway burger buns and instead, chomp down on the tight, youthful-looking skin of an organic apple! Ok, that might not be exactly how it works, but it is true that your diet plays a huge part in how you look. The act of drinking alcohol every night, for instance, has been shown to cause ageing in the skin, due to the constant inflammation alcohol causes.

The best skin-rejuvenating foods include things like berries, grapes, tree nuts and oils. These foods are rich in antioxidant polyphenols that fight free radicals that cause ageing.

Consult with a professional

If you’re doing all of the above and still not seeing results, you may feel your skin could use the helping hands of a qualified professional dermatologist. A good dermatologist will consult with you and give you multiple options to help you achieve the skin you want.

*All surgery has risks and Dr Lanzer recommends seeking a second medical opinion.