Dewy skin is one of the biggest beauty trends right now—but it wasn't always that way. It used to be that skin was powdered into submission until there wasn't the slightest hint of shine. But, we can now confidently say that times have changed. While greasy skin still isn't what skincare dreams are made of, it's recognized that a natural, dewy glow is associated with healthy-looking skin.
Of course, healthy or not, there's a solid chance your skin isn't organically blessed with the dewy look. Still, that doesn't put this trend out of your reach. With a little effort and the right skincare tips, you can achieve gorgeously dewy skin. Below, we're revealing seven hacks for how to get dewy skin.
What Is Dewy Skin?
Before we explain how to get the look, let's make sure you know what dewy skin is and what it is not. We can start with the latter.
Dewy skin isn't oily, nor is it overly shiny or greasy. This trend is all about healthy-looking, glowy skin. It may seem like there's only a fine line separating the two, but it's an important distinction. Not only is the look different, but it also means anyone can get visibly dewy skin. It's not associated with a single skin type.
When we talk about dewiness, we're referring to glowing skin that's moisturized and reflects light. It's subtle but stunning. Some people have naturally dewy-looking skin, while others use carefully curated skincare routines to get the same look.
How Do I Make My Skin Look Dewy?
Here are seven tips, featuring the best Kiehl's dewy skin products, to help you out.
Dewy Skin Tip #1
Start With Fresh, Clean Skin
Every good skincare routine starts the same—cleansing—and this one is no exception. Your first step toward dewy-looking skin is using a cleanser with nourishing ingredients. Try Ultra Facial Cleanser, which contains squalane, avocado oil, and glycerin. It gently cleanses without over-drying or stripping your skin of its natural oils. The cleanser is also pH-balanced and a match for all skin types.
Dewy Skin Tip #2
Layer Hydrating Skin Serums
Vital Skin-Strengthing Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum
Dewy skin serums are a staple of this look. A few drops can give your skin the perfect glisten. But for the dewiest finish, the trick is to layer multiple serums. Start with Vital Skin-Strengthing Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum, a radiance-boosting formula made with 11kDa hyaluronic acid. (This form of HA is capable of penetrating as deep as eight skin surface layers.*) It's shown to improve skin texture and protect against aggravators like stress and sun exposure. The result is glowing, healthy-looking skin.
*Based on a clinical study of 25 panelists measuring the penetration of the full formula via tape stripping.
For your next serum, apply Hydro-Plumping Hydrating Serum. It's made with glycerin and epidermal hydration filler, an ingredient that helps encourage your skin's natural production of hyaluronic acid. This hydrating serum helps visibly plump skin and improves the appearance of dullness—something that has no place in a dewy skin look.
Dewy Skin Tip #3
Top Key Spots With an Oil
If you want to know how to get dewy skin fast, face oils are the answer. They provide natural-looking shine without making your skin look slick; that's really the hallmark of the dewy skin trend. You can apply a face oil all over for a glowing finish, but we recommend being slightly more strategic. Smooth your oil onto specific spots that will catch the light and make your skin look illuminated.
Apply a few drops of Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil onto your fingers and dab it on the highpoints of your face: your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your cupid's bow, and the center of your forehead. These are the same spots you would apply highlighter. While a shimmering powder can look artificial, using a face oil gives you that lit-from-within glow. We love this particular oil because it not only amplifies radiance in just one night, but also helps smooth and firm your skin's appearance. While it's formulated—with evening primrose and lavender essential oils—to replenish skin at night, when it's most receptive to repairing itself, the oil can also be used during the day.
Dewy Skin Tip #4
Visibly Brighten Your Eye Area
Dewy cheeks won't do you much good if the skin around your eyes looks flat and dull. It's just another reason (among many) that eye cream is essential. Try Avocado Eye Cream, our fan-favorite formula with avocado oil and shea butter. It offers all-day hydration, improves under-eye texture, and is clinically-demonstrated to brighten by 11%.*
*Results based upon expert grading evaluated with the product in a 4-week clinical test.
We also recommend Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum, which is formulated with 10% pure vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, for brightening. It visibly reduces both blue and brown dark circles and minimizes the appearance of crow's feet. The result is fresher, brighter-looking eyes.
Dewy Skin Tip #5
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream
As we mentioned, dewy skin is well-moisturized skin. The two go hand and hand. Look for face moisturizers that both hydrate and boost radiance, like Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream. This option enhances vibrancy for a youthful-looking glow and also helps fortify your skin's natural moisture barrier. It contains New Zealand manuka honey and red ginseng root and, fittingly, has a lightweight, honey-like texture.
If an uneven skin tone and redness are concerns, try Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream instead. It visibly evens skin tone and helps your skin look more radiant in one week. The formula, which features our concentrated calendula serum, also reduces the appearance of redness with continued use.
Dewy Skin Tip #6
Use an Overnight Mask To Pamper Skin
It never hurts to pamper yourself while also participating in a skincare trend. To combine getting dewy skin with practicing self-care, reach for an overnight face mask. We recommend the glycerin and squalane-infused Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask. It replenishes your skin's water reserves for long-lasting hydration. By morning, you can expect your skin to feel refreshed, soft, and supple.
Dewy Skin Tip #7
Finish With a Face Mist
Cactus Flower & "Tibetan Ginseng" Hydrating Mist
Last but not least, a face mist can give your skin a quick burst of dewiness. Spritz your face with Cactus Flower & "Tibetan Ginseng" Hydrating Mist. As the name suggests, it's formulated with vitamin-rich cactus flower and Tibetan ginseng, which is known to revitalize dull-looking skin. A light misting helps refresh and hydrate your skin. Use it in the morning, over your makeup, or anytime your skin needs a pick-me-up—even on the go.
