If you're looking for smooth skin and feel like you've tried every skincare product on the market, it's time to rethink your routine. There are a variety of factors that can leave your complexion looking rough and dull, ranging from the environment to stress and your diet—after all, healthy skin = smoother skin. Read on for expert advice from Josie Holmes, a licensed esthetician at SKINNEY Medspa, on how to make your skin feel and look baby-soft.
About the Author:
Josie Holmes works as an esthetician at SKINNEY Medspa in New York City. She is devoted to the intersection of natural beauty and cutting-edge skincare.
But first, let's talk about what causes rough skin.
Do you know why your skin has been feeling rough lately? Stress, your diet, and your surroundings could all be wreaking havoc on the surface of your skin. “Most rough skin is caused by dryness, dehydration, and a buildup of dead skin cells,” Holmes explains. If the texture of your skin has recently become rough, the climate in which you live may have contributed to the change. “Our skin has a natural balance of natural oils and water, and you can tell when these are out of balance,” Holmes says. If you go on vacation in a warmer, more humid climate, for example, your skin's levels may be thrown off, resulting in a rough complexion.
Not only do the weather and your surroundings influence your skin texture, but so does your lifestyle. You may be able to get through the day if you are a night owl who runs on very little sleep, but it will eventually show—on your face. “Lifestyle choices, such as drinking and smoking, can also play a role in having rough skin,” Holmes says.
While there are several factors you can control, some of us are predisposed to rough skin conditions regardless of how strictly you adhere to your skincare routine—just it's in your genes. “Some rough skin disorders, such as eczema and keratosis pilaris, can be influenced by genetics,” Holmes says.
How to Get Smoother Skin in 4 Easy Steps
1. Exfoliate on a regular basis.
Exfoliating is the most important thing you can do to achieve baby-soft skin. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and removes dirt, bacteria, grime, and build-up from the surface of your skin. According to Holmes, “exfoliation removes oils and impurities from the skin, aids in product penetration, and increases cellular turnover and circulation.”
If you're not sure how to exfoliate your face, you have three options: chemical exfoliants, mechanical exfoliants, or exfoliators that combine the two. Depending on your skin type, you can choose an exfoliation method. “If you have dry, rough skin, I recommend using an exfoliant with alpha-hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, or enzymes,” Holmes says.
While chemical exfoliation may sound harsh, it is not overly abrasive, making it a good choice for sensitive skin and anyone who suffers from frequent breakouts. Look for cleansers or nightly treatments containing glycolic or lactic acid.
If you have acne-prone skin, salicylic acid can work wonders on acne-causing bacteria, revealing smooth skin beneath.
If you have normal skin, you have a choice. “It's truly a matter of preference,” Holmes says. If you have combination skin, use both to get the best results. “Combination skin works well with combination exfoliants,” Holmes says, referring to skincare products that contain both a chemical and a physical exfoliant. To achieve glowing skin, exfoliate a few times per week, depending on your skin type. “Oily skin can be exfoliated 3-5 times per week,” Holmes says. If you don't exfoliate on a regular basis, you'll have a dull, rough complexion.
2. Consume plenty of water.
The key to healthy skin is not only what we put on our faces, but also what we put in our bodies. “Our bodies are made up of about 80% water, and our cells require water to function properly,” Holmes explains. The more water you drink, the more your cells (including your skin cells) plump up, allowing them to work more efficiently and remove toxins. According to Holmes, “drinking water will help your skin look nourished, hydrated, and healthy.” Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day to keep your skin smooth.
3. Utilize a honey face mask.
You can reap all of the benefits of exfoliation by using honey, a kitchen staple that works wonders on your skin. “Honey contains levels of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and enzymes that help to exfoliate the skin by sloughing away dead skin cells, removing dirt and grime, reducing excess oils, and clearing pores, all without damaging the skin's acid mantle,” Holmes explains. Enjoy the benefits of honey for your skin with this refreshing drink, and use the natural exfoliant to make your own face mask. For a hydrating complexion boost, combine one tablespoon of raw honey or Manuka honey with two tablespoons of whole-fat Greek yogurt.
Apply to your face for 15-20 minutes, then wet a washcloth with lukewarm water and remove with the warm washcloth.
4. Use the appropriate moisturizer.
Moisturizing is essential for keeping your skin soft and smooth, but to get the most out of your face lotion, find the right moisturizer for your skin type. According to Holmes, the most effective ingredients for treating rough, dry skin are “enzymes, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides.” If you have sensitive, dry skin, use a moisturizer with ceramides to hydrate and repair your skin's barrier. “If your skin is dry, you should use ceramides to restore moisture to your skin cells,” Holmes says. Here are some of the best moisturizers for dry, sensitive skin.
Hyaluronic acid, which your skin absorbs like a tall drink of water, is another powerful ingredient that helps smooth skin. “HA aids in the restoration of hydration to your skin,” says Holmes. If you want to achieve smooth skin quickly, incorporating HA into your skincare routine is your best bet. Because of its humectant properties, it acts like a sponge, drawing water to your skin and increasing hydration levels.
While hyaluronic acid moisturizers are ideal for people with dry skin, because most formulas are lightweight, they also work well on oily and combination skin.
The best moisturizers for combination skin are lightweight, non-comedogenic, mattifying formulas that can significantly improve the texture of your skin. Even if you have oily skin, you should still include a moisturizer in your routine. If you don't, your oil glands will go into overdrive and produce even more oil, resulting in clogged pores and bad breakouts. Because of a combination of oil-free formulas and nourishing ingredients, the best moisturizers for oily skin provide moisture without excess oil.
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