What Is Dolphin Skin?

On the internet, there’s no shortage of viral makeup tutorials and beauty trends. But now and then, we’ll come across a look or trend that’s great for the time we’re in. It’s no surprise that dolphin skin is trending on social media in an age when “your skin, but better” reigns supreme, with people preferring lip balms to lipstick and natural, bushy eyebrows are all the rage.

As you might assume, the idea is to make your skin as smooth and lustrous as that of marine mammals. The ultimate glowy finish, as if you’ve just walked out of the water, with your skin glowing, fresh, and luminous in all the perfect places.

As a result, it’s the ideal style for the summer. It’s a terrific choice for a beach or pool party since it doesn’t look cakey; instead, it’s fresh and light, and onlookers will question whether your sunscreen glow is natural.

What Is Dolphin Skin?

Unlike glass skin, which focuses on leveling out pigmentation variances for skin that reflect light uniformly, dolphin skin is all about creating moisturized, luminous skin with multi-dimensional cosmetics. It entails layering several makeup textures and properly matching your chosen items to your skin type for illuminated—not greasy—skin.

Even if you have enlarged pores or oily skin, you may join the trend—it’s all about being strategic with your skin preparation and highlighter placement.

How to Achieve Dolphin Skin

Unlike previous skincare trends such as “cream skin” or “glass skin,” dolphin skin is equally concerned with skincare as it is with makeup placement and application. What’s the result? A dewy, luminous, and multi-dimensional look that incorporates both makeup and skincare procedures.

Step One: Skincare

Ensuring your skin is hydrated and healthy is one of the most critical aspects of getting dolphin skin. Skincare does not have to be difficult, but it does need to incorporate crucial elements to enhance cellular turnover. Why? It turns out that cellular turnover is among the most important components in having beautiful skin.

Exfoliation eliminates extra keratinocytes through physical or chemical techniques, increasing cell turnover and resulting in a smoother, more polished, translucent surface. Starting with a nightly retinoid or retinol cream is a great way to ease into a regular skincare routine focused on brightness.

After you’ve established a nightly retinol regimen, you can begin to use other chemical exfoliants on your skin.

A consistent bedtime and daily regimen can help you achieve your goals. Investing in a few basic items, such as an exfoliator, moisturizer, and sunscreen, is also a smart place to start. As always, getting a good night’s sleep and drinking plenty of water are the greatest methods to stay energized and feel as wonderful as you look.

Step Two: Skin Preparation

Exfoliation is essential for achieving dolphin skin. Exfoliation is the process of removing dirt, dead skin, and debris from the top layer of the skin. You can improve the overall brilliance of your skin by removing the top layer methodically, according to your skin type.

Chemical exfoliants are preferable to physical exfoliants, which might be overly harsh for sensitive skin. A gentle chemical exfoliator (think glycolic acid, lactic acid, or mandelic acid) is advised for dry skin because it aids in cell turnover. Salicylic acids, which work to dissolve dirt and oil dwelling inside your pores, can be used for oily skin or any of the above.

If you have dry skin, use a moisturizing face mask after you’ve exfoliated. Look for products with plumping, skin-quenching components like hyaluronic acid and aloe, and stay away from products containing dyes or scents, as these can irritate the skin and reduce your dolphin glow.

Moisturize your skin before proceeding to the next stage, which is makeup application. Before you begin applying your makeup, ensure sure you are well hydrated and moisturized.

Hydrating treatments are excellent suggestions for providing your skin with all it requires. These items can aid in smoothing your skin and enhancing the radiant shine that you desire in your dolphin skin. For oily skin, go for a light water-based moisturizer, whereas dry skin can layer an oil or balm over water-based products to lock in moisture.

Step Three: Apply Your Makeup

It’s time to apply cosmetics now that the skin has been primed. Matte foundations should be avoided unless you have oily skin. (Remember, you can still attain dolphin skin by layering glow-inducing products on  a matte base.)

Dry to normal skin types can get away with putting a powder over the cream when it comes to highlighters. Stick to powder if your skin is oily, as it will not accentuate the appearance of your pores. Plus, with this skin type, the powder can last much longer than cream.

Apply the highlighter to regions of the face where the sun would normally shine, such as the bridge of the nose and the tops of the cheekbones, the brow bone, the ball of the nose, and just above the arch of the brow. Avoid putting a highlighter on your forehead and use a gentle hand when spreading to your cheekbones if you have oilier skin since your natural oils may eventually shine through. Apply a small spritz of a glowing setting spray to finish.

When looking for dolphin skin, the application technique you utilize is just as important as your items. For each layer, alternate between applying with a brush, a sponge, and your fingertips.

For example, a foundation brush can be used to massage the foundation into the face, a sponge can be used to apply a cream blush, and the fingers can apply a cream highlighter. This allows all of the ingredients to melt into the skin, giving it a radiant appearance.

Hydration, flawless blending, and understanding when to use powder and when to let your skin shine are the keys to dolphin skin. A translucent setting powder is essential for achieving the desired shine of dolphin skin without seeming oily. It helps set your makeup and makes your highlighted areas sparkle and glisten.

Step Four: Finish the Look

Finally, there’s the finishing mist, which is everyone’s favorite part of finishing a look. You put in plenty of effort to get your dolphin skin, so you’ll want to seal it with a good setting spray to bind everything together. If you choose not to use a spray, a nice setting powder will suffice.