You know the glow we’re talking about. Sun-kissed cheeks, bright eyes, radiant skin, and feeling so refreshed that it just makes you look healthy and, well, glowing! The good news? You don’t have to wait for your tropical summer vacation to get that summer glow all year round. 

Believe it or not, you can recreate that glowing look using natural practices founded in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This method of healthcare approaches wellness from a holistic place that offers benefits not just for your health, but also for natural beauty treatments for the body and soul. Include one or more of these TCM hacks into your daily routine and get ready for the glow up!

Drink Goji Berry Tea

Start your day off by skipping the coffee and brewing a cup of goji berry tea. You may have also heard this berry referred to as wolfberries, fructus lycii or gougizi. They’re special because they contain high amounts of antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamins A and C. The goji berry is a key addition to teas and tinctures in TCM and has been used since ancient times to brighten the skin and eyes, boost the immune system, relieve allergy symptoms, and many other benefits. 

There have even been Western medicine studies showing links between goji berries and protection from chronic diseases, improved blood sugar levels, energy boosts, and increased collagen production. This means that those antioxidants will be hard at work revitalizing your skin so you exude that summer glow.

Practice Early Morning Outdoor Affirmations

In Chinese medicine, it’s believed that your body is more than sum of its parts. That means that taking care of your mind can result in being healthier overall. The power of positive thinking can radiate from your heart and leave your friends wondering what your beauty secret is. 

After sipping on your goji berry tea, take some time to yourself to either meditate on or physically write out a list of what your grateful for. Then repeat or write down three to five positive affirmations about what positive qualities you seek to create in your life.

These can revolve around your personal character, your dreams, or goals. If you’re not sure where to start, envision your dream life and work your way backward with “I am” statements such as “I am strong and capable” or “I am filled with love and gratitude”.

Alternate Your Exercise Routine

Now that you’re feeling positive, it’s time to get moving! We know that regular exercise is a key ingredient to a healthy lifestyle, but more and more evidence shows that it’s also vital for radiant skin. When you work up a sweat, your body is able to naturally detoxify and send extra blood and nutrients through the skin. A Canadian study in 2014 showed that exercise can actually help keep skin looking younger, too. 

But what type of exercise is best to get that healthy summer glow? Most professionals suggest alternating between high and low-intensity activities. Alternate between long runs, weight training, pilates, and cardio classes to reap all the benefits. TCM practitioners often recommend yoga as being especially beneficial to achieve a healthy glow. This practice links your body, heart, and mind to work in harmony. Poses that increase the circulation and blood flow through the neck and face can help skin look fresh and plump.

Drink More Water

Are you drinking enough water throughout the day? Water is raved about so often for a reason. Among its many other health benefits, water is a key component of skincare that can help you achieve that summer glow from the inside out. The key secret to water for skincare is that it helps flush out toxins in the body that can build up and cause skin dullness and imperfections. According to TCM, releasing these toxins will not only keep your skin clear, but also help keep your vital organs healthy and functioning.

An added benefit? Water can help maintain your skin’s existing level of elasticity. While it won’t reverse lines and sagging, it will help slow down the progression of these things and add to your glow! Water is also critical to acne treatments. When you reduce the toxins in your body, that means there’s less dirt and debris to clear from your pores. 

It’s advised that adults drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Seems impossible to hit the lucky number eight? Try having a glass right after waking up, in the evening as you’re getting ready for bed, at every meal, and during your exercise session.

Try At-Home Facial Massage

The glow up doesn’t stop at the gym! There are several ways to incorporate facial massage into your skincare to help facilitate fresh and glowing skin. Jade rolling is one of the most popular Chinese skincare practices to hit the Western world. These small jade tools may look like paint rollers, but they’re used to help increase circulation and restore elasticity to the face and neck. Jade rollers can easily be incorporated into your morning skincare routine to help your oils and moisturizers soak in more quickly while adding an overall glow and brightening dark spots like the under-eyes.

Gua sha is another ancient Chinese practice that was originally used as a deep, intense massage for the back. The facial version of gua sha, however involve gentle pressure and slight pulling of the skin in certain directions to promote firmness and revitalization. The user will take a small jade or rose quartz tool shaped with several ridges, and repeatedly glide it up and around the face for stimulation. 

Don’t Forget to Moisturize 

Now that you’re relaxed after your facial massage, the final step is moisturizing the skin and neck. The topical counterpart to hydrating the skin internally through water, moisturizer helps ensure that your skin is healthy, soft, and glowing. There are many types of moisturizers to choose from based on your skincare needs. From light and airy SPF to thick and regenerative night creams, it might be beneficial to have a day and night moisturizer for maximum effects. 

When applying your moisturizer, it’s advised that you place the product on the tips of your fingers and apply in an upward and outward circular motion. This movement helps facilitate a lifted sense of elasticity and youthful complexion. Once the product is applied, be sure to let it soak all the way in before applying anything else. 

Be sure to consult with your medical professional with any concerns to make sure your activities are the healthiest ones for you. Incorporating these steps into your morning routine is sure to help you not only feel refreshed and rejuvenated, but give you that summer glow all year round.

What’s your favorite method for getting radiant skin?