Get Flawless Glowing Skin Without Foundation

Dewy, hydrated and glowing skin doesn’t start and end with your foundation and highlighter. It starts with your skincare routine, and it can end there too, if you like—though it helps if you know the steps and products to use to get a flawless face. Going without foundation can seem daunting, especially if you’ve come to rely on a product. But a thoughtful skincare routine that focuses on smooth, moisturized skin is the key to skipping your makeup base. Let your skin shine through with this step-by-step guide to getting its most glowing, dewy appearance.

Step 1: Cleanse

Step one in any skincare routine is cleansing. It’s important to remove dirt and makeup from your face before moving on to the next step, because if you don’t, any products you put on afterward won’t properly penetrate or work on your skin. In the morning, you might opt for a micellar water instead of a more intense cleanser. L’Oréal Paris Micellar Water Complete Cleanser is a great option because it removes dirt and makeup without the use of water. Use a cotton pad soaked in the product and simply swipe it over your face for a fresh and clean feeling.

Step 2: Scrub

Cleansing is all well and good, but it won’t necessarily get rid of dead skin cells. Sloughing off dead skin, also known as exfoliating, is super important for a lot of the same reasons cleansing is so vital. If you don’t, your next skincare steps won’t work as well, thanks to blockages created by the dead skin sitting on the surface. By using an exfoliating scrub, like L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Kiwi Scrub for Oily Skin, you can buff away dead skin while also reaping the benefits of this great formula. Three types of sugar and kiwi seeds help with exfoliation, while peppermint and lemongrass oils help to tighten and unclog pores. In fact, post scrub you might be surprised at how glowing and soft your skin looks already.

Step 3: Serum

After scrubbing, you’ll want to start adding the products that are going to stay on your skin, and you can start with a serum. L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power LZR Hyaluronic Acid Serum is super lightweight—which is important in a serum because you’ll likely be layering other products on top of it. It has 1.5% pure hyaluronic acid, which is incredibly hydrating (hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water). That means you’ll immediately notice your skin looking plump, hydrated and—yup, you guessed it—dewy. Hydration is definitely key if you want to go sans foundation, and hyaluronic acid is the ingredient that’s going to be your hero. You might even be able to stop at this step, given all the prep you’ve done to achieve that glow. As a bonus, this serum is also anti-aging, helping to smooth, plump and hydrate all in one supercharged product.

Step 4: Moisturizer

You could stop with step three, but it’s best to add one more layer of moisturizer. The more moisturized your skin is, the more supple, dewy and plump it’s going to look—all things you want if you’re going to skip foundation in favour of makeup-free skin. Since a moisturizer is typically heavier than a serum, it’s also going to act as a barrier, helping to lock in all that moisture you’ve already applied. We recommend using L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power LZR Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer as the hyaluronic acid-rich formula will leave your skin plump and hydrated. You can even swap out your moisturizer for an oil, which will help restore your skin’s lipid barrier and protect it from any outside aggressors. Plus, when you’re not wearing foundation, you can risk a formula with oil in it, which can often break makeup down and lead to reapplication. No makeup means no need for reapplication. And oil is definitely going to help you get that lit-from-within look you’re after.