getting that post-facial glow without the facial
Beauty Notes: Inside Out & Outside In
You know when you walk out of a facial and look like a completely different person? Skin is lifted, bright, hydrated and dewy—basically radiating good decisions. Is there anything better??
But, I haven’t gotten a facial in months. This spring, I promised myself I’d get one a month and it’s literally been about five. I know I’m not alone in my facial delinquency—they’re $$$ and take time.
So, I went deep on how to get that same lifted, post-facial glow at home—with real, evidence-based tools and the “inside-out” habits that actually make a difference.
Inside Out: The (Boring & Unsexy) Foundations
I know we all want that secret serum for flawless skin, but there’s no product that can outperform the basics. Nutrition, gut health, sleep, and hydration are what make your skin resilient and radiant long-term. Everything else is frankly a waste of money if you’re not putting in the work on this front.
Yes, these are the same boring things I talk about constantly, so here’s yet another reason to prioritize them.
1. Protein
Your skin is made up of structural proteins like collagen, elastin, and keratin. When we eat protein it gets broken down into amino acids and then rebuilt into these structural protein to keep your skin firm, elastic, and strong. When you consistently hit your protein goals, you’ll notice it in your skin—smoother texture, better tone, and more elasticity.
Aim for .7-1g of protein per pound of ideal body weight a day. If you struggle to meet these goals, add in a protein powder. I love Needed’s collagen (discount code: MIA20) in my coffee (15g) or Promix Whey (30g) in a shake.
2. Nutrient Diversity (Especially Vitamin C, Zinc & Copper)
When it comes to skin health, variety is everything. A colorful, diverse diet delivers the vitamins and minerals your skin needs to build collagen, stay elastic, and repair itself.
Vitamin C, zinc, and copper are especially important. They’re cofactors in collagen and elastin synthesis, meaning you literally cannot make new skin tissue without them. Zinc is highest in oysters, beef, and chicken, but also found in pumpkin seeds, lentils, and chickpeas (if oysters aren’t on your regular rotation lol). Copper shows up in seafood, nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate.
If your diet falls short, a high-quality multivitamin or vitamin C supplement (I like LivOn Labs, you can use my code MIA15 if you want to try it) can help fill the gaps.
3. Healthy Fats & Omega-3s
Omega-3s and monounsaturated fats strengthen your skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and help retain moisture. If you don’t eat fish regularly, an algae-based or fish-oil supplement with both EPA and DHA can help keep skin supple and calm.
4. Gut Health
A balanced microbiome shows up on your face. When your gut is inflamed, your skin often is too. Aim for plant diversity (30+ per week), fiber-rich and fermented foods like yogurt, miso, or sauerkraut. If digestion or regularity are off, a probiotic can help support the gut-skin connection.
*Did you notice the protein, carbs and fat here? We need all the macros in order to properly feed our skin.
5. Sleep & Stress
Deep, consistent sleep and a calm nervous system are the unsung heroes of healthy skin. When you’re chronically stressed or short on rest, cortisol levels stay elevated, which can break down collagen, slow repair, and increase inflammation.
Good sleep is skincare. Dim the lights, stretch, read, or journal before bed. Magnesium, B vitamins, and omega-3s all support a calmer nervous system—magnesium before bed is my favorite for deeper rest and better recovery.
Once those foundations are in place, you can layer on the fun stuff—maybe a laser, microneedling treatment, or even a little Botox. None of it replaces the basics, but when your skin is healthy underneath, those treatments work better and last longer.
Outside In: The Quick Fix
Okay, this is all great, but what if you’re going out tonight and you want to look your best? Here are five go-to tools and products that make my skin look immediately better. While I work on my goal of scheduling that monthly facial, I do these things 3-5x weekly, and especially on days when I really want my skin to shine.
1. Microcurrent & Nanocurrent (Lift & Tone)
If I could only keep one device, it would be my ZIIP Halo. It uses tiny electrical currents to stimulate facial muscles, increase circulation, and boost cellular energy (ATP). The result is a subtle but instant lift — cheekbones pop, the jawline tightens, and skin just looks more alive. (Even Margot Robbie is a fan.)
I’ve been using my ZIIP for over a year and truly love the ritual and the instant lift it gives my face. Whether you need an instant lift, a glow boost, or help targeting pigmentation or breakouts, ZIIP has a treatment for it in the app. It’s quick, effective, and surprisingly easy to stick with. The app syncs directly with the device and walks you through short video tutorials, so you know you’re doing it right. Some of the treatments are as short as two minutes, which makes it realistic to fit into a busy morning, tired evening, or even right before I go out for a quick refresh. Use my discount code MIA if you want to try it for yourself.
2. Red Light Therapy (Glow & Calm)
Red light has one of the strongest evidence bases in skincare. The wavelengths penetrate the skin and activate mitochondria, increasing ATP production and reducing inflammation. I use CurrentBody’s red light mask for 10 minutes while drinking coffee, answering emails, or scrolling on my phone in bed (just being real, friends) and it never fails to make me look more alert.
3. Vitamin C Serum (Brighten)
Topical vitamin C instantly smooths and wakes up dull skin while protecting against oxidative stress. Pair it with vitamin-C-rich foods and you’re supporting collagen from both sides.
4. Hydration (Plump & Refresh)
Hydration is underrated. Internally, electrolytes help your body hold onto water; externally, humectants like hyaluronic acid draw moisture into the skin. Together they give that smooth, light-reflecting finish that screams “well rested.” I always drink a big glass of water with electrolytes (Pludo is my favorite—code MIA15). I have been using this moisturizing cream lately and just got this face oil from Symbiome, which I’ll layer on top.
5. Lymphatic Drainage or Ice Rolling (De-Puff & Sculpt)
A few minutes of facial massage can do wonders (here is a 5-minute tutorial for an at home massage). It helps move fluid, reduce puffiness, and bring back definition, especially around the jawline and eyes. Keep an ice roller or gua sha tool in the fridge and use it first thing in the morning or before makeup.
From the Glow Files 💛
I know I’m not the only one chasing that post-facial glow. So, I asked a few of my favorite Substack writers (i.e. women whose taste in skincare I trust) to share their own instant refresh rituals.
From , author of The Love List
The most important thing is getting good sleep, I can’t function without 8 hours. I have to have it really dark and really cold. I slather on U Beauty’s barrier cream before I hit the pillow and wrap my face in a soft silk sleep mask from a brand called SNOOZ. In the winter, that cream helps my skin stay glowy overnight when the air is super-dry. That, and I have two humidifiers running.
From , author of In the Pink
I truly believe that good skin is mostly an inside job. This is coming from someone who battled acne for decades. Once I managed my stress and healed my gut, my skin radically changed. The biggest driver? I stopped drinking. And it healed my gut in 30 days, which drastically changed my skin. I haven’t looked back.
I also love a tiny bit of Merit Flush Balm after just moisturizer and a sauna. People stop me in the women’s locker room to comment on my skin.
*Celia and I are members of the same gym and I can confirm this—I am one of those people.
From , author of I’m On an Antidepressant
For a post-facial glow, I swear by a combo of three things.
1. A good workout: I strength train and I always feel really good after a good sweat and cool shower. My skin loves those endorphins!
2. ZIIP Halo: The most genius device for lifting and sculpting the face.
3. Haus Labs Bio-Radiant Glassy Highlighter Balm: This gives a glossy, bouncy glow sans glitter or sparkle. Put a swipe on your cheekbones and eyelids and pat it in.
From , author of Older & Wiser
My number one beauty secret? Sleep. I get 9 hours a night—non-negotiable—and it’s the reason I wake up glowing.
From , author of Market Research and founder of Isla Beauty
I am really prone to redness and stressed-induced breakouts. The best thing I’ve found for that is unfortunately just sleep. A good night’s sleep goes a long way in calming my skin. If I’m feeling puffy or dull, anything cold really helps. An ice roller, ice bucket, and the occasional cryo facial. From a product standpoint, our Elixir is my go-to inside out glow product. It’s formulated with an indigenous Australian berry mix that has 3x the antioxidant complex of blueberries—one of the most potent naturally occurring antioxidant berry in the world.
If you have a great tip for getting that post-facial glow, we want to know. Don’t gatekeep—drop it in the comments so we can all glow together.
You can find all the products and tools mentioned in this post here.
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Throwing in one more tip - Masque vivant (by Biologique Recherche) mixed with a dash of baking soda is like a facial in 20 minutes!!