8 Ways to Get Dewy Skin With the Help of Your Makeup and Skin Care Routines

If you have dry skin, then you know dewy skin is not something that comes by chance. This popular beauty look is all about skin that’s fresh, gleaming and hydrated — without appearing oily. Achieving this coveted beauty look may be easier said than done, but it can be yours with a quality skin care routine that includes brightening serums and exfoliating scrubs, and dewy makeup products with glowy finishes and cream formulas. 

With the help of the right products, even those with a naturally dry and lackluster complexion can achieve a glazed donut-rivaling glow. Take notes as we share eight skin care and makeup tips to help you achieve dewy skin, below.

What Is Dewy Skin?

When you have dewy skin, your complexion glows and shines in such a way that it looks healthy, but with no chance of anyone mistaking your face for being greasy. Dewy skin is the basis of countless beauty trends you’ve likely heard about, including glass skin, honey skin, and even glazed donut skin, which has only made the desire to get a dewy look even stronger. 

How to Get Dewy Skin

To achieve the dewiness you’re seeking for your skin, update your beauty routine with these tips, and get ready to glow.

1. Exfoliate Regularly

It’s good practice to regularly exfoliate your skin because when dead skin cells build up on the skin’s surface, this leads to a dull, flaky and lackluster complexion. To ensure that your face looks radiant and smooth, try the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Scrub Cleanser a few times a week to buff away any dead skin and buildup while you cleanse. 

2. Grab a Vitamin C Serum

While makeup can do wonders in creating the appearance of dewy skin, if you want a naturally dewy complexion, it all comes down to your skin care routine. Add a vitamin C serum, like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum, to your daily regimen. This particular serum is formulated with pure vitamin C, which helps to boost radiance, smooth fine lines and fade dark spots, while salicylic acid works to address large pores. Smooth it onto your skin every morning and evening after cleansing.

3. And a Niacinamide Serum

According to the Cleveland Clinic, niacinamide works to brighten the skin, fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation and soothe redness. This multi-tasking ingredient helps your skin to achieve a natural glow and an even skin tone — two main components of dewy skin, so you may want to consider adding it to your routine. We like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum, which visibly fades age spots, sunspots and post-acne marks, while gently exfoliating surface cells to brighten the skin. Use it in your morning and evening routines after cleansing and before applying moisturizer.

4. Slather on SPF

As if you needed another reason to use SPF daily, not only does it protect your skin from dangerous UV rays, but it also keeps your skin looking youthful to help promote a dewy, radiant complexion. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, we should all use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater and broad spectrum coverage (UVA and UVB protection). We suggest the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Invisible UV Fluid because the lightweight formula boasts SPF 50 and includes an invisible finish that doesn’t leave a white cast on any skin tone. 

5. Use a Hydrating Primer

It’s always smart to prep your skin for makeup with a primer because primers help makeup last longer and create a smooth base for a seamless application. We love the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Dullness Reducer — an illuminating primer that brightens dull skin and color corrects with orange pigment while extending your makeup wear time for up to 24 hours. 

6. Pair Makeup and Skin Care Products Together

There are quite a few products that can give you dewy skin, but there’s one product combination we recommend to anyone who will listen — mixing an illuminating primer with moisturizer for the perfect makeup-meets-skin care moment. 

Try mixing a pea-sized amount of the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer with a nickel-sized dollop of the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream. When you apply this mixture to clean skin, you can expect the slightest hint of coverage that will make it look like you glow from the inside out, plus you’ll get a dose of hydration.

Editor’s tip: Another way to get light coverage with skin hydration is with a tinted serum like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum. Use it in place of foundation and enjoy the natural glow it gives your skin. 

7. Use Cream and Liquid-Based Makeup Products

A dewy makeup look is all about using hydrating formulas. Apply the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Concealer with Hydrating Serum under your eyes, in the middle of your forehead, and down the bridge of your nose to brighten your complexion while concealing any skin concerns. Then, add cream blush and highlighter, like the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip and Cheek Tint and Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer to complete your dewy skin look.

8. Layer On a Glossy Lip

There’s no sense in pairing your dewy skin with dry, chapped lips. Complete the look by applying a glossy lipstick in a natural hue. We love the L’Oreal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract for this — it provides a comfortable, hydrating finish and your-lips-but-better coverage. 

Next: 12 Long-Lasting Products That Will Stay Put During a 90-Degree Festival Weekend

Photographer: Nelson Huang, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Producer: Becca Solovay, Beauty Content Director: Shalwah Evans, Visual Designer: Sarah Duvivier, Wardrobe Stylist: Alexis Badiyi, Wardrobe Assistant: Jazmine Alzado, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Digi Tech: Jacky Jiang, Photo Assistant: Tyler Andrews, Model: Erin Williams