How to Get Natural-Looking Summer Glowy Skin this Summer

Let me just say that achieving that natural-looking summer glowy skin is an art form. And like any good artist, I’ve had my fair share of happy accidents and not-so-happy mishaps along the way. From testing every clean beauty glow product on the market to figuring out which glowy makeup under $30 actually holds up in July heat, I’ve been through it all. But, humidity, sweat, and sun exposure had other plans, of course.

Finally, I perfected my natural-looking summer glow routine, after a whole lot of trial and error, and… regretful flashback photos (we don’t talk about 2016 highlight placement). Up next, I’m breaking down all the essentials that helped me achieve radiant skin in summer. From hydrating products for summer skin, the best cream highlighter for a natural glow, and my holy grail picks for clean, dewy skin all day long.

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My Full Natural-Looking Summer Glowy Skin Routine

Our skin has needs. The combo of harsh UV rays, clogged pores, and dehydration can make that natural glowy vibe feel impossible. Add in over-exfoliation, the wrong products, or just not knowing how to get glowing skin, and suddenly we end up with a blotchy, greasy complexion.

The good news? With the right glowing skin tips, a solid skincare routine for glowing skin, and the best products for summer glow (yes, I’ve got recs—from glowy skin essentials to the best body oils for glowing skin), you’re just a few tweaks away from the ultimate lightweight makeup for summer.

And the best part? This summer glow makeup routine doesn’t require hours in front of a mirror or 37 steps. I promise a naturally radiant look with minimal effort, so you can spend less time blending and more time sipping iced coffee in the sun.

Skincare Routine for Glowing Skin

Before you reach for bronzer or your fave skin tint, let’s get your natural-looking summer glowy skin started from the ground up–aka your skincare. After all, a flawless face starts with a glowing base. The goal? Skin that’s dewy, juicy, and fresh enough to make people wonder if you just got back from a beach vacation (even if you’ve only been to the grocery store).

1. Start Fresh with a Lightweight, Hydrating Cleanser

Summer sweat, SPF, and city grime? Not a cute combo. A gentle, lightweight cleanser keeps your skin fresh without stripping it. Think creamy gel textures that cleanse without causing a moisture meltdown.

Try: Pure Facial Cleanser by Skin Essence Organics – It’s a Canadian-made formula, certified organic by EcoCert and USDA!

Check the ingredients list for hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides. They’ll keep your skin quenched and ready to glow. Also, make sure to avoid foaming cleansers that leave your face feeling tight. That “squeaky clean” feeling? Yeah, it’s your skin barrier crying for help.

2. Vitamin C Serum

Want to know how to get glowing skin without piling on a dozen products? Enter: Vitamin C serum. It’s the go-to brightening ingredient in any skincare routine for glowing skin. It helps fade dark spots, evens tone and gives you that juicy, lit-from-within look.

Try: GoodBeauty 20% Vitamin C Face Serum – This Canadian-made serum is infused with Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C!

Apply it in the morning (under SPF, always!) to fight dullness and bring on that radiant skin in summer.

3. Hydrate with Lightweight Moisturizers or Gel Creams

During summer, we kiss heavy, sticky creams goodbye to let our pores breathe. Opt for lightweight moisturizers or gel creams that hydrate without the grease. Go for natural-looking summer glowy skin essentials like squalane, niacinamide, or water-based formulas that sink in fast and leave your skin dewy, not oily.

Try: Sukin – Nutrient Rich Facial Moisturiser – This all-natural gel is packed with Kale, Spirulina, and Chlorella to nourish dry skin.

How to look naturally glowy in summer? Keep your moisturizer light but hydrating.

4. Don’t Skip the SPF (Ever)

We all want that natural-looking summer glowing skin, but trust me—sun damage isn’t the vibe. Go for a broad-spectrum SPF with a glowy finish (like one that doubles as a primer). Some even have a subtle tint, perfect for a no makeup makeup look.

Try: La Roche-Posay for a lightweight, glowing formula. And Blue Lizard or Live Clean Sport if you prefer sprays. Both sprays are completely non-toxic, mineral formulas.

P.S. Don’t forget to add an organic lip balm with SPF to your routine as well.

My best tip: Mix a drop of your best cream highlighter for a natural glow into your SPF for a beachy gleam without any effort.

Natural-Looking Summer Glow Makeup Routine

Once your skin is prepped and ready, it’s time to reach for those sheer, radiant complexion saviors that let your skin breathe. When it comes to natural-looking summer glowy skin, thick foundations are a hard pass.

So what’s the move? Skin tints, tinted moisturizers, and BB/CC creams with that chef’s kiss of dewiness. These are your go-to for achieving that natural glowy makeup look without feeling like your face is about to slide off by noon.

Skin Tints

If you’re wondering how to look naturally glowy in summer, a good skin tint is basically bottled sunshine. Lightweight, breathable, and often packed with skincare ingredients (hi, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide), these are perfect for that blurred-but-still-bare finish.

Try: ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint — A cult fave for a reason. Dewy finish, mineral SPF 40, and skin-loving ingredients? Yes, please.

Tinted Moisturizers

A step up in coverage, but still totally breezy. Tinted moisturizers hydrate, even out your tone, and add a subtle glow that screams effortless. They’re ideal for low-key days or quick desk-to-dinner touch-ups.

Try: Andalou Naturals – Gives radiant skin in summer without ever looking greasy.

BB & CC Creams

Think of these as your glow multitaskers. BB and CC creams often combine light coverage, SPF, and skincare ingredients in one tube. Great for days when you want to look polished but still let your skin shine.

Try: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream (Illumination version) – It’s like soft-focus lighting in a tube.

P.S. Whatever base you choose, apply it strategically. Focus on the center of the face and blend outwards to keep things light and glowy, not heavy. Use a damp sponge or fingers for that skin-fused finish.

Highlighters

Now that your base is breezy and beautiful, let’s turn up the glow—just a little. When it comes to getting that natural-looking summer glowing skin, liquid or cream highlighters are your best friends. Why? Because powder highlighters can sit on the skin and look obvious, while liquids and creams melt right in. Think more dewy goddess, less disco ball.

Liquid Highlighters

Lightweight, buildable, and made layer, liquid highlighters are the core of natural glowy makeup. They’re perfect for that fresh-from-the-sun sheen that catches the light in all the right places.

Try: e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter– This one’s basically bottled summer. It gives you a lit-from-within glow and doubles as a primer, mixer, or highlighter. Perfect for layering over a skin tint or tapping onto high points for that dewy summer skin finish.

You can also mix a tiny bit into your tinted moisturizer for an all-over soft radiance that reads skin, not sparkle.

Cream Highlighters

Creams are slightly thicker in texture than liquids, but still super blendable. Creams are natural-looking summer glowy skin essentials for those of us who want the glow to stick around without clinging to texture or settling into fine lines. I’ve looked everywhere for the best cream highlighter for a natural glow!

Try: RMS Beauty Living Luminizer – A cult classic that gives a candlelit glow, not a glittery mess.

Where to apply your highlighter for the ultimate glow-up:

Cheekbones (obviously)
Bridge of the nose
Brow bone
Cupid’s bow
Inner corners of the eyes
Collarbone and shoulders if you’re going out

How to get glowing skin that looks effortless? Use your fingers to press the product into the skin. It helps it melt in naturally, especially over cream blush or dewy tints.

Blush & Bronzer

Let’s get one thing straight: nothing fakes a natural-looking summer glow like a hit of blush and bronzer in the right formulas. Powders are fine but in the summer heat? Creams are where it’s at. They melt into your skin, move with you, and give you that seamless, sun-kissed radiance we’re all chasing. When done right, blush and bronzer give your face dimension, warmth, and that “I spent 10 minutes in the sun and now I’m thriving” kind of vibe. No contour palettes, no harsh lines.

Cream Bronzers

To get that believable bronze, skip the orange streaks and go for cream bronzers with a neutral or olive undertone. These give you that “I just got back from Tulum” look—even if you’ve been indoors mainlining iced coffee.

Try: Tower 28 Bronzino – A glowy cream bronzer that adds warmth and subtle sheen. It’s a top pick for lightweight makeup for summer and blends in seconds.

Also love: Hurraw! Aura Accent Balm – Balmy, blendable, and beginner-proof. This formula can be applied to the eyes, lips, and cheeks.

Make sure to apply bronzer where the sun naturally hits: across the cheeks, forehead, nose, and even a bit on the eyelids for a naturally sculpted look.

Cream Blushes

Cream blush = instant healthy glow. Whether you’re into peach, berry, or that perfect pink, cream formulas add just enough pigment to give your complexion life, without overpowering your look.

Try: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush – Insanely pigmented, super blendable, and gives your skin that lit-from-within look that’s perfect for natural glowy makeup.

Also love: Tower 28 BeachPlease Blush – Dewy, juicy, and made for your cheeks and lips. A multi-tasking icon.

How to get glowing skin with blush? Apply with your fingers or a damp sponge for a flush that looks like it came from within.

Body Glow

You’ve got the natural-looking summer glowy skin routine down for your face, but what about the rest of you? A little body shimmer goes a long way in making your entire vibe feel polished, sun-kissed, and ready for golden hour. The trick? Go for body oils or creams with a subtle sheen. We’re not trying to blind people.

Glow-Boosting Body Oils

These are your best bets for instantly radiant, healthy-looking skin. The best body oils for glowing skin hydrate, give you that dewy finish, and highlight your body’s natural contours (hello, collarbones, and shoulders).

Try: NARS Monoi Body Glow – Hydrating with a warm, tropical scent and just enough shimmer to make your skin glisten without looking greasy.

Also love: L’Occitane Golden Glow Body Oil – Lightweight, smells amazing and leaves your skin looking silky and sunkissed.

I love to mix a few drops with your body lotion for a more diffused, all-over glow. It’s great for days when you’re rocking shorts or a summer dress.

Luminous Creams

Prefer a cream formula? These melt into the skin and give a soft, pearlescent glow, perfect for how to look naturally glowy in summer without going full sparkle mode.

Try: Sol de Janeiro GlowMotions – These illuminating creams come in a range of tones to suit every skin tone and look amazing on the legs.

Also love: Fenty Beauty Body Sauce – A skin tint for your body? Yes, please. It smooths, blurs, and gives a bronze sheen that screams vacation skin.

Go ahead and apply with your hands or a big fluffy brush and blend in circular motions. Hit the high points (shoulders, shins, collarbone) for maximum glow with minimal product.

BONUS: Faux the Glow

Granted, this isn’t an essential step in every natural-looking summer glowy skin routine, but it does help a lot. Not all summer tans need to come with sun damage. In fact, the smartest glow is the safest one. If you want that golden, just-got-back-from-vacation look without UV exposure, sunless tanning foams are your best (non-burning) bet. For those wondering how to look naturally glowy in summer without risking sunspots or peeling, this is it.

Sunless tanners have come a long way. The newest formulas give natural-looking summer glowing skin without the streaks, smells, or drama of old-school self-tanners.

Try: Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Mousse – A clean, vegan formula that gives a believable bronze without orange undertones. It’s lightweight, buildable, and ideal for even the most sensitive skin.

For more options, check out these non-toxic sunless tanners in Canada.

Use a mitt for a smooth, even application. And don’t forget areas like the backs of knees, elbows, and ankles. Want a longer-lasting color? Exfoliate the day before, moisturize dry spots (like knees and wrists), and avoid oil-based lotions post-application.

Easy Lifestyle Tips to Look Naturally Glowy in Summer

While good skincare and makeup can work magic, true radiant skin in summer (and all year, honestly) starts from within. If you’re wondering how to get glowing skin that doesn’t wash off at the end of the day, these everyday habits are your new glow-up toolkit.

1. Hydration = Highlight From the Inside Out

Glowy skin starts with one thing: water. Yep, the OG skincare product. Drinking enough water daily helps flush toxins, plump your skin, and improve circulation—all key for natural-looking summer glowy skin.

Aim for at least 2–3 liters of water a day, and add some electrolytes if you’re sweating it out in the summer heat.

Bonus: hydration helps your natural glowy makeup sit better and last longer.

2. Eat Your Glow

Your skin loves foods high in water content and healthy fats. We’re talking watermelon, cucumber, avocados, leafy greens, and omega-3-rich foods like salmon or chia seeds.

How to look naturally glowy in summer? Fill your plate with skin-friendly nutrients, and your face will thank you in the form of fewer breakouts and a naturally radiant finish—no filter needed.

Beauty snack tip: A smoothie with spinach, berries, flaxseeds, and coconut water = edible skincare.

3. Sleep & Movement = Circulation & Glow

Your body does major skin repair while you sleep—so those 7–9 hours? Non-negotiable. Pair that with regular movement (walks, workouts, dance parties in your kitchen) to boost blood flow and bring oxygen to the skin.

4. Optional Glow Rituals (But Highly Recommended)

Face Yoga or Gua Sha: Stimulates lymphatic drainage and tones facial muscles for an instant lift.
Cold Plunges or Ice Rolling: Shrinks pores, reduces puffiness, and gives you that firm, fresh look.
Facial Massage: Boosts circulation and helps products absorb better. Bonus: it feels so luxe.

Even just 5 minutes a day with your fave oil or serum can make your skin feel like it has a professional facial.

FAQs About Getting Glowing Skin This Summer

What gives you glowing skin naturally?

Hydration, a balanced diet rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, quality sleep, and a consistent skincare routine with gentle exfoliation and moisturizing. Sunscreen is key to protecting your radiant skin in summer.

How to get that summer glow?

Prep your skin with lightweight moisturizers and Vitamin C serums, use dewy skin tints or tinted moisturizers, add cream highlighters and blush, and finish with a bit of body shimmer. Don’t forget lifestyle habits like hydration, sleep, and skin-loving foods.

How to fake a summer glow?

Use sunless tanning foams or gradual self-tanners for a golden base. Then layer on cream bronzers, liquid highlighters, and subtle body shimmer for that effortless natural glowy makeup look.

How to glow up naturally?

Focus on your skincare routine, eat nutrient-dense foods, stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and move your body regularly. Incorporate face massages or gua sha to boost circulation and enhance your skin’s natural radiance.

How do you get the biggest summer glow?

Combine a solid natural-looking summer glow routine with lifestyle habits—think hydration, clean eating, good sleep, and regular movement—plus glow-enhancing products like Vitamin C serums, dewy tints, and cream highlighters.

Best products for summer glow?

Look for lightweight, hydrating cleansers, Vitamin C serums, skin tints like ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint, cream highlighters like Saie Glowy Super Gel, and sunless tanning foams such as Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Mousse.

This Was My Guide To Achieving Natural-Looking Summer Glowy Skin

There you have it—the complete roadmap to achieving that coveted natural-looking summer glowy skin without looking like you’re wearing a mask or dipped in a highlighter. Start with a solid skincare routine featuring lightweight cleansers, Vitamin C serums, and hydrating moisturizers to prep your skin for glow. Next, keep your base fresh and breathable with skin tints, tinted moisturizers, or BB/CC creams that enhance your dewy summer skin. Layer on cream or liquid highlighters and blushes that melt into the skin, plus cream bronzers for that effortless sun-kissed warmth. Don’t forget to extend the glow beyond your face with body oils or luminous creams for your collarbones, shoulders, and legs—and, if you want that extra boost, try sunless tanning foams for a safe, golden glow. Finally, remember that true radiance is more than skin-deep. Hydrate well, nourish your body with skin-loving foods, prioritize rest, and get your blood pumping with some movement or face yoga.