7 Things Estheticians Do Every Morning For Glowy AF Skin

Expert Advice

Ice cube face baths, lemon water, honey, gua sha workouts to lift and sculpt – if you’re a beauty lover like us, you’ve probably seen (and tried) it all when it comes to the quest for glowing skin. But with all the skincare tips, hacks, and tricks crowding your feed these days, it’s sometimes impossible to determine what actually works.

So we went straight to the estheticians because who better to tell us than the experts with enviable skin? It’s not all about splurgy products, either. Sometimes it’s a low-key ritual that reaps the most rewards. Without further ado, a few of our favorite skincare gurus reveal what they love doing for a hydrated, bouncy, lit-from-within complexion every AM.

Glowing Skin Tip #1: Do a Polar Plunge

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We’ve seen Bella Hadid dunking her visage in a bowl of ice in a de-puffing effort, but you don’t need to go that extreme, according to La Prairie Ritz-Carlton’s lead esthetician, Naima Refkan. She says that just washing your face with cold water will revive the skin. “This allows your skin to better prepare itself for product application. Then it’s on to La Prairie’s Cellular 3-Minute Peel, $275 (twice a week) to slough off dead skin, fade age spots, and make your skin glow instantly.”

Glowing Skin Tip #2: Ice Roll

The next best thing after an icy cleanse? An ice roller. Esthetician and founder of Urban Skin Rx, Rachel Roff, swears by them saying “an ice roller does wonders for the skin when you wake up, makes it look vibrant and brighter, especially around the eyes, jawline, and neck.” After that, it’s a combo of Urban Skin RX Pro Strength Super C Brightening Serum, $58, Urban Skin RX Even Tone Barrier Repair Ceramide Cream, $24, and Urban Skin RX SheerGlow™ Even Tone Daily Defense Mineral Moisturizer SPF 30, $34.

Glowing Skin Tip #3: Apply Body Oil

Celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salons, Joanna Vargas, is a devotee when it comes to oiling up post suds. In particular, she likes the Jordan Samuel Skin Olio Por Il Corpo Body Oil, $42. “It’s super hydrating and loaded with antioxidants that repair the skin,” she shares.

Glowing Skin Tip #4: Drink Green Juice

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Vargas is also a big fan of juicing. “I drink green juice to help oxygenate the skin, which means it can rid itself of impurities and bring in nutrients,” she explains. “A green juice instantly hydrates while encouraging lymphatic drainage, so you are de-puffed and glowing.” And in true skincare queen fashion, she doubles up on the stuff, applying her Daily Serum, $85, while she sips the juicer kind. “My serum is green juice for the skin, with hyaluronic acid and oat grass in it.”

Glowing Skin Tip #5: Take a Shot…

Of chlorophyll! Not the kind you were thinking – which might not be the best for conjuring brighter skin first thing in the morning. “It’s a simple way to get a super serving of greens, and it tastes like mint,” says Vargas.

Glowing Skin Tip #6: Use an At-Home Laser

Leslie Kritzer, esthetician and co-founder of Skin Worship in Los Angeles, CA swears by the at-home LYMA Laser Starter Kit, $2,695, every morning for 12 minutes to help regenerate and strengthen the skin. “First, I use NION’s Opus Luxe, $129, to maximize the cleansing process and ensure my skin gets ample circulation, then I reach for my LYMA, the only FDA-approved at-home laser available on the market,” she says. “I struggle with redness and broken capillaries here and there, and it seems to really reduce them.”

Glowing Skin Tip #7: Layer on The Products

Shay Mitchell and Jessica Alba’s esthetician Shani Darden has her AM routine set, so if you need a glow-up, might we suggest hers? “In the morning, I start with my Cleansing Serum, $38, before a combination of my Facial Sculpting Wand, $399, and a session with my Shani Darden by Déesse PRO LED Light Therapy Mask, $1,900. After, I apply iS Clinical’s iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus, $158, followed by a hyaluronic acid such as Dr. Nigma’s Serum No 1, $185, then my Intensive Eye Renewal Cream, $68. Last, I apply NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $46, or Supergoop’s PLAY Everyday Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 PA++++, $32.” A mix of high-low products with high-tech tools does a luminous face right.

Bonus Glow Tip: Finish with SPF

“Using SPF daily is extremely important,” warns Refkan. “There are so many benefits and preventions from simply adding sunscreen to your regimen; it’s a staple in skincare, as is drinking plenty of water.”

Speaking of sunscreen, find our fave SPFs for fall here.

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