Beauty trends come and go (and, inevitably, return once more), but dewy skin is one we’d argue will always be in style. For the unfamiliar, “dewy” doesn’t mean wet. Instead, it describes skin that appears hydrated, smooth, supple, with an effortlessly radiant appearance. Of course, achieving dewy skin isn’t actually effortless. But regardless of your skin type, achieving a smooth, dewy complexion is possible—you just need the right routine and products. Below, we’ve laid out the best skincare, makeup, and lifestyle tips to help you maintain a lasting glow. What Is Dewy Skin? Before we explain how to get dewy skin (which we will), we thought it might be useful to review what dewy skin actually looks like. Here are some of the key characteristics of a hydrated, dewy complexion: Hydrated appearance: The defining element of dewy skin is a hydrated “sheen.” Your skin shouldn’t look wet or greasy, but dewy skin looks well-quenched—sort of like the way your skin might look immediately after applying your favorite facial serum or moisturizer. Smooth texture: Smooth skin reflects light well, which is a key characteristic of dewy skin. A dewy complexion lacks rough, dry patches, instead appearing smooth, soft, and uniform in texture. Even skin tone: Though everybody has some variation in skin tone, dewy skin typically appears pretty even overall. It lacks any noticeable redness or dark spots and boasts a luminous, almost glass-like appearance. 7 Tips To Get Dewy Skin Naturally If you’re wondering how to get dewy skin, there are plenty of easy techniques that you can work into your daily routine. Our hacks for achieving a healthy, glowy complexion include hydrating skincare, sun protection, dewy-finish makeup, and more. 1. Start with a hydrating cleanser Any good skincare routine starts with a quality cleanser. However, the type you use should be dictated by your skin type, concerns, and goals. For dewy skin, you’ll want to avoid harsh cleansers that can strip your skin of essential moisture. Instead, look for gentle facial cleansers made with nourishing ingredients, such as glycerin, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid. These can help cleanse your skin without leaving it feeling dry or tight. The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a great option—it’s formulated with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid and helps strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier to support a healthy-looking complexion. Lather up with the mild formula twice daily (morning and night) and rinse your face with lukewarm water to avoid over-drying your skin. 2. Exfoliate gently, but regularly Removing dead skin cells and other buildup makes your skin look and feel smoother, giving it a healthier and dewier appearance. However, it’s crucial not to overdo it, as overexfoliation can damage the skin barrier and lead to dryness or redness. Chemical exfoliants can be great for gentle, daily exfoliation, so long as you pick a formula suitable for everyday use. The Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Daily Re-Texturizing Triple Acid Peel Serum is among our favorite picks. The gentle formula contains AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs and helps smooth skin texture, minimizes the appearance of pores, and boosts radiance. If you prefer physical exfoliants, be sure to opt for a gentle version that won’t irritate your skin. The SkinCeutical Micro-Exfoliating Scrub is an excellent option. It’s formulated with small beads that help to slough away dead skin cells, leaving your skin instantly softer, smoother, and brighter-looking. 3. Layer hydration: toner → serum → moisturizer A well-rounded skincare routine is essential if you’re aiming to achieve a dewier complexion. After cleansing, you can apply a hydrating toner or essence to help even your complexion, clear pore congestion, and balance your skin’s pH levels. Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner is a soothing, alcohol-free skincare staple that utilizes real calendula petals and bio-peptides to calm redness, minimize excess oil, and help balance the skin before moisturizing. From there, you can layer on a serum with hyaluronic acid, peptides, or vitamin C to further nourish your skin. Or, try a formula with all three, like the Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum. Aptly named, this triple-threat of a serum targets visible signs of aging to improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and volume loss. Finally, lock in your dewy skincare routine with a moisturizer. The Vichy Minéral 89 100H Rich Cream is a nutrient-rich option that provides long-lasting hydration (up to 100 hours) for a soft, smooth, radiant-looking skin. 4. Use face oils strategically Applying a few drops of a face oil after a moisturizer can add an instant glow to your skin. We recommend using them at night to give them time to absorb, otherwise they can make your skin appear slick or greasy as opposed to dewy. For the best results, make sure that the face oil you’re using is non-comedogenic, and use it sparingly—one to two drops should be more than enough to help lock in moisture and give your skin a glowier finish. 5. Don’t skip sunscreen A broad-spectrum sunscreen is arguably the best product for dewy skin. Applied regularly and as directed, sunscreen can help protect your skin from damage that can contribute to a dull, lackluster complexion over time. For everyday wear, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends opting for a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of at least 15. You’ll also want to reapply it at least every two hours to help protect your skin from damaging UV rays. In addition to protecting against damage, some sunscreens can help hydrate your skin for added benefits. The La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Clear Sunscreen SPF 50 is one such example. It’s formulated with thermal spring water and azaleic acid and helps hydrate, calm redness, and soothe the skin, all while shielding it against damaging UV rays. 6. Apply dewy-finish makeup products Makeup can also be used to achieve a dewy skin look. Tinted moisturizers or light-coverage foundations are great base options because they subtly even your skin tone and provide hydration, giving you a natural-looking glow. For radiant skin that looks as good as it feels, try swapping out your go-to foundation for Urban Decay’s Hydromaniac Hydrating Dewy Foundation. It’s formulated with kombucha filtrate and marula oil and helps hydrate the skin while seamlessly evening out skin texture and tone. Liquid or cream highlighters are also effective at giving the skin a dewier appearance. The L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick has a creamy formula that melts into the skin and provides a subtle, flattering sheen. It’s available in six luminescent shades that you can use to strategically add glow on your cheekbones, nose, cupid’s bow, eyelids, and more. Opt for one of the glassy shades for a classic dewy finish or try one of the glowy shades for a hint of light-catching shimmer. 7. Stay hydrated Dewy skin isn’t achieved through skincare and makeup alone. Your lifestyle also plays a role. To help keep your skin hydrated from the inside out, be sure to drink plenty of water each day. Not the most exciting tip, we know, but trust us—it really can make a difference in your skin’s overall appearance. Next Up: Diminish Dryness With This Step-by-Step Dry Skin Routine
