Glow From Within: Her Weekly Exfoliation and Brightening Routine

For many women, skincare is not just about surface-level beauty—it's a ritual of self-care, an intentional pause in a busy week, and a way to reconnect with the body and mind. For 28-year-old lifestyle blogger Mariah Simmons, glowing skin isn’t a lucky accident or the result of pricey facials—it's the outcome of a thoughtfully curated weekly exfoliation and brightening routine that she swears by.

“I used to chase glow with highlighters and filters,” Mariah laughs. “Now, my skin does the glowing naturally.”

Her approach is surprisingly simple, realistic, and grounded in understanding how skin regenerates and how to support that process gently but effectively. In this article, we dive into Mariah’s weekly exfoliation and brightening regimen—step by step—and explore how small, consistent efforts can unlock your skin’s natural radiance.

Why Weekly Exfoliation and Brightening Matters

Before exploring the details of Mariah’s routine, it’s important to understand the why behind it.

Our skin naturally sheds dead cells approximately every 28 days, but factors like aging, stress, and environmental exposure can slow this process. When dead skin cells accumulate, they dull the complexion, clog pores, and prevent active ingredients from penetrating the skin.

That’s where exfoliation comes in—helping to remove that buildup and encourage cell turnover. Combine that with brightening ingredients that target hyperpigmentation, uneven tone, and dullness, and you’ve got a recipe for skin that truly glows from within.

But as Mariah learned, overdoing it can be just as harmful as doing nothing.

“At first, I exfoliated way too often,” she admits. “My skin got dry, irritated, and flaky. Now I stick to a once-a-week deep routine, and it works way better.”

Step 1: Prepping the Canvas – Cleanse and Steam

Mariah begins her routine every Sunday evening—her dedicated “skin reset” night.

“I treat it like a mini spa moment,” she says. “No distractions. Just me, my favorite playlist, and my skincare.”

She starts by removing makeup and impurities with a gentle oil cleanser, followed by a second cleanse using a low-pH gel cleanser to ensure her skin is clean but not stripped.

Next, she treats her skin to a quick steam session—either with a facial steamer or by leaning over a bowl of hot water for 5–7 minutes.

Why This Works:

Double cleansing ensures a clean slate.
Steaming opens up pores, softens sebum, and makes the skin more receptive to exfoliation and active ingredients.

Step 2: The Exfoliation Ritual – Physical Meets Chemical

Here’s where the magic begins. Mariah uses a dual-action exfoliation method: a gentle physical scrub followed by a mild chemical exfoliant.

Physical Exfoliation:

She uses a rice powder exfoliant with ultra-fine grains. She gently massages it into damp skin for about 60 seconds.

“I’m very careful here—no aggressive scrubbing,” she explains. “Just enough to loosen the top layer of dead cells.”

Chemical Exfoliation:

After rinsing off the scrub, she applies a mandelic acid serum (10%), a gentler AHA that penetrates slowly and is great for sensitive or darker skin tones.

She lets it sit for 10–15 minutes before moving to the next step.

Why This Works:

The physical exfoliant removes surface debris.
The chemical exfoliant dissolves bonds between dead cells, encouraging deeper renewal.
Mandelic acid is ideal for brightening without irritation and has antibacterial properties.

Pro Tip: Mariah skips exfoliation if her skin feels sensitized or she’s spent too much time in the sun that week.

Step 3: The Brightening Mask – Feeding the Skin

Once exfoliation is complete, she treats her skin to a brightening mask—her “reward” step.

Her go-to: A homemade mask made of yogurt, honey, and turmeric. Occasionally, she’ll switch to a store-bought vitamin C-infused clay mask with niacinamide for added glow.

She leaves the mask on for 15–20 minutes while relaxing.

Why This Works:

Yogurt contains lactic acid and probiotics that nourish and gently brighten.
Honey hydrates and soothes the skin.
Turmeric targets pigmentation and evens skin tone.

This step delivers antioxidant power and reinforces the exfoliation’s brightening effects.

“The glow after this mask is unreal,” Mariah says. “And it smells like dessert.”

Step 4: Rehydrate and Rebuild – Toner, Serum, Moisturizer

After rinsing off the mask with cool water, she moves on to rebuilding the skin barrier.

Hydrating Toner:

She pats on a hyaluronic acid-based toner to reintroduce moisture and prep the skin for serum absorption.

Brightening Serum:

She follows up with a vitamin C serum—specifically a stable form like sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which is gentler than pure ascorbic acid.

Moisturizer:

Mariah uses a barrier-repairing moisturizer with ceramides, peptides, and squalane.

Why This Works:

Hydration ensures plump, supple skin after exfoliation.
Vitamin C boosts collagen production and fades hyperpigmentation.
A strong moisturizer locks everything in and supports skin barrier recovery.

Step 5: Overnight Nourishment – Sleeping Mask or Oil

As a final touch, Mariah applies either a sleeping mask or a few drops of rosehip seed oil to seal everything in and provide overnight nourishment.

“This is the cherry on top,” she says. “I wake up with baby-soft skin.”

Additional Brightening Tips She Swears By

Mariah doesn’t rely solely on her Sunday ritual. She maintains her glow throughout the week with a few supportive habits:

1. Daily SPF is Non-Negotiable

“All that effort goes to waste if you don’t protect your skin.”

She uses a broad-spectrum SPF 50 every single morning, even on cloudy days.

2. Antioxidant Support

She drinks green tea, eats berries, and takes a daily Vitamin C supplement.

3. Sleep and Hydration

No skin care routine can replace 7–8 hours of quality sleep and enough water.

“When I’m dehydrated or sleep-deprived, my skin looks dull, no matter what I use.”

4. Avoiding Skin Saboteurs

She avoids harsh scrubs, frequent switching of products, and overuse of actives.

“Skincare is not a punishment. It should be gentle and consistent.”

Lessons Learned: Her Advice for Glowing Skin

After years of trial, error, and breakout cycles, Mariah has learned that glowing skin isn’t about perfection—it’s about tuning into what your skin needs and delivering it consistently.

Her top tips?

Less is more: “Stick to what works. You don’t need a 12-step routine.”
Stay consistent: “Glow builds over time. Don’t expect miracles overnight.”
Be patient: “If you’re stressed or hormonal, your skin will reflect that—and that’s okay.”
Listen to your skin: “If it’s irritated, back off. If it’s dry, hydrate more. Be responsive, not reactive.”

Final Thoughts: The Glow Comes From Within

Mariah’s weekly exfoliation and brightening routine is more than a set of steps—it’s a mindset. It’s about carving out space to care for yourself, embracing skin changes with kindness, and trusting the long-term process.

“When I stopped fighting my skin and started working with it, everything changed,” she reflects. “Now my skin glows because I take care of it—but also because I take care of me.”

For anyone looking to restore radiance and confidence to their skin, Mariah’s approach offers a balanced, effective roadmap. You don’t need expensive treatments or complicated regimens. With the right routine, a little consistency, and a whole lot of self-love, glowing skin is well within reach.