How to Get Your Skin Looking Extra Pretty for Valentine's Day

In love with the idea of luminous skin for Valentine's Day?

Just weeks away, there's no better time to start prepping your skin than now. According to dermatologists, it takes 2-3 weeks for a new skincare routine to kick in. That's why you need to get started asap.

Here are some tips for making your skin look extra pretty for the day of love.

Cleanse Every Evening 

Cleansing is extremely important for removing the day's buildup of dirt, dead skin cells, makeup, and oil. While some people cleanse twice a day -- morning and night -- the most important time to wash your face is in the evening, as this is when your skin accumulates the most dirt.

Look for a gentle cleanser formulated for your skin type. Use it every evening before going to bed to remove makeup and wash away daily grime. To keep your skin clear and healthy, make it a priority to cleanse your face every day without fail.

Moisturize While Your Skin's Still Damp

According to dermatologists, the best time to moisturize is while your skin's still damp from cleansing. After rinsing off your cleanser, pat your face until it's only half dry. Then apply a thin layer of moisturizer. Your damp skin will absorb product better, maximizing its effects. 

You can choose between a face cream or a hydrating serum. If you prefer a lighter formula, use our Hydrate Serum. It's infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to plump and moisturize skin for lasting hydration. This is suitable for all skin types, especially dry skin.

Exfoliate with AHAs

Exfoliation naturally brightens skin. Instead of using a scrub, which can often be too harsh for most skin types, try using alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to exfoliate. The best AHAs include glycolic acid and lactic acid. They work by dissolving dead skin cells from the skin's surface to unclog the pores, fade discoloration, and brighten the skin tone.

Whether you've got a date night coming up or you're just looking for a self-care moment, try exfoliating your skin once every few days with Rainbow's Glow Serum. It's made with bakuchiol and glycolic acid to gently buff away dead skin and give skin its bounce back. For best results, use this serum 1-2 times per week to achieve glowing skin by V-Day.

Apply SPF Daily

Sure -- you've heard it a million times before, but wearing sunscreen is the best way to protect your skin and keep it glowing throughout the year. It really is the easiest way to maintain a radiant complexion.

"Ninety percent of wrinkles are from sun exposure," says New York-based dermatologist Doris Day. "It's so much easier to prevent the damage than it is to fix it afterwards." 

Even in the winter months, you should still be wearing SPF daily to protect your skin from cell-damaging UV rays. 

Up Your Skin's Vitamin C Intake

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that's known for brightening dull complexions and protecting from cellular damage caused by free radicals. 

 "Vitamin C is a well-known skin brightener, impeding melanin production and ultimately fading dark spots, resulting in a more even complexion," says Lian Mack, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. Plus, it helps promote collagen production to prevent and treat fine lines and wrinkles. 

You'll find vitamin C in our Smooth Bundle, a face mask + serum duo formulated with vitamin C and vegan collagen for incredible levels of glow and maximum anti-aging effects. For best results, use this duo daily as part of your daily skincare regimen to get your skin smooth and glowing ready for Valentine's!

Apply a Face Mask

There's little a good face mask can't fix. Lucky for you, we have four amazing face masks to choose from that can also be used on your body. Smooth, Glow, Hydrate, and Tighten each offer their own benefits depending on what you're looking for from a mask. 

Treat yourself to a weekly pampering session by lighting a candle, taking a bath, and then applying a nourishing mask to tackle skin concerns. You deserve it. And you don't have to limit it to once a week. Feel free to increase your sessions to reduce your stress levels and boost your glow factor. 

Layer Products Properly

If you want all your skincare products to work in tandem, make sure you're applying them in the right order. Surprisingly, many people apply their products in the wrong order, which significantly minimizes the benefits of certain products.

As a rule of thumb, it's best to layer according to thickness -- starting from thin to thick. Always begin with your cleanser, followed by your toner, serum, moisturizer, and finally your sunscreen. 

If you do it in reverse, heavier products like creams will block the ingredients of the lighter ones from penetrating the skin. As a result, they won't have any impact.

Let Your Skin Breathe

Since V-Day's still a few weeks away yet, you have plenty of time to let your skin breathe and recuperate. The best way to do this is by embracing a barefaced for the next couple of weeks. That means no foundation, concealer, highlighter, or bronzer. You can still wear eye makeup if you wish since that won't clog your pores. However, you can also feel free to lay off the eyeliner, mascara, and eyeshadow for a little while just to give your whole face a rest.

Think of it as a little detox for your skin. Then, when Valentine's Day arrives, your makeup look will be even more impressive - because your skin will be glowing!

Now that your skin's looking super pretty and V-Day has arrived, it's time to get glam! Rock a red lip, dab on some concealer (but only if you need it!), and swipe on some mascara. Alternatively, embrace a natural look -- your skin should be looking radiant by now, anyway.