You know that girl. She walks in and her skin is just... doing something. No blinding shimmer, no obvious product. She just glows — like the light is coming from inside her. If you've been chasing that and can't figure out why your skin isn't giving it back, this one's for you.
The glow isn't luck. It's a routine. And it's simpler than you think.
First — What Even Is "The Glow"?
There are two types of glow people mistake for each other:
- Surface glow — shimmer products, highlighter, body glitter. Pretty, but it washes off.
- Skin-deep glow — what happens when your skin is truly hydrated, exfoliated, and nourished. This one stays.
We're going for the second one. The kind that makes people ask what you're doing to your skin. The kind that makes you feel confident going bare — no shimmer required (though we love a shimmer moment too, don't get it twisted).
Step 1: Start with a Clean Slate — Exfoliate First
You cannot moisturize glowing skin over dead skin. That's the rule. If you're skipping exfoliation, your body butter and oil are sitting on top of a barrier that won't let them in.
Grab your African Exfoliating Net and your body scrub and commit to 2–3 times a week. Focus on knees, elbows, ankles — the spots that tend to look ashy first. Circular motions, medium pressure, rinse clean.
That girl tip: Exfoliate before shaving. You'll get a closer shave AND softer skin. Two birds.
Step 2: Moisturize on Wet Skin — Not Dry
This is the step that changes everything. Most people towel off completely and then moisturize. We need to talk.
When you apply your body butter to damp skin — like right after you pat (not rub) dry — the moisture from your shower gets sealed in. Your skin absorbs the product differently. It goes deeper. The result? That soft, almost lit look that lasts all day instead of fading in an hour.
Pat dry. Apply butter immediately. Don't wait.
Step 3: Layer Your Oil on Top
If butter is the base, body oil is the finish coat. Once your butter is lightly absorbed (about 2 minutes), seal everything in with a few drops of body oil — worked between your palms first and pressed into the skin.
This is what creates the actual glow effect. The oil catches the light. It gives that healthy, dewy look that reads as natural radiance. It also keeps the moisture locked in hours longer than butter alone.
Less is more with oil. Two to three drops per area, warmed in your hands, then pressed — not rubbed — into your skin. Rubbing pulls the product instead of absorbing it.
Step 4: Hit the Spots You're Forgetting
If your glow routine stops at your arms and legs, you're leaving skin on the table. The spots that get skipped are usually the ones that betray your routine:
- Shins — dry fast, go ashy faster
- Décolletage — visible in every summer outfit
- Backs of the knees — people forget these exist
- Heels and ankles — especially after sandal season starts
Add these into your routine intentionally and you'll notice the difference in a week.
Step 5: The Summer Glow Reset (Once a Week)
Once a week, give yourself a proper reset moment. This isn't just maintenance — it's the thing that keeps your glow from fading as the summer goes on.
- Exfoliate fully (full body, not just a quick scrub)
- Soak for 10–15 minutes if you can — warm water opens the pores
- Body butter on damp skin while still in the bathroom
- Oil layered on top
- Let your skin breathe — no tight clothes immediately after
That's your weekly reset. Fifteen to twenty minutes. The ROI on your skin is real.
What to Expect and When
Glow doesn't happen overnight — but it also doesn't take forever. Here's what a realistic timeline looks like:
- Week 1: Skin starts feeling softer, less dry
- Week 2: Texture evens out, ashiness goes down
- Week 3: The actual glow starts showing up — people start noticing
- Week 4+: This is your new baseline
Consistency is the whole game. Three weeks of this routine and your skin will look like you did something expensive.
The Simply Bare Glow Stack
If you want to build your kit around this routine, here's what to reach for:
- African Exfoliating Net — the foundation of the whole thing
- Body Scrub — for deep exfoliation 2–3x a week
- Body Butter — your hydration base, applied to damp skin
- Body Oil — your glow finish, layered on top
- Shimmer Oil — optional, for when you want to turn the glow up
You don't need all five to start. Butter + net is enough to begin. Add the oil when you're ready to level up.
Want the full routine breakdown in your DMs? Drop a comment with GLOW and we'll send it straight to you.
You Deserve to Feel This Good in Your Skin
The glow isn't about being perfect. It's about showing up for your skin the way you show up for everything else in your life — consistently, intentionally, with care.
This is your summer. Walk into it glowing.
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Written for the Simply Bare community. Explore the full glow collection at shopsimplybare.com | Follow us @simplybareco