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A smooth, flawless complexion is the skincare dream. But things like rough patches, fine lines and wrinkles, large pores and acne scarring can get in the way of this dream. If your quest for smoother skin has yet to yield results, look no further. We’re telling you how to improve your skin texture with 10 tips for smoother skin.
Skin texture refers to the skin's surface condition. It’s a measure of how smooth your skin feels. The ideal skin texture is smooth and soft to the touch. But it's not uncommon to have skin that feels rough and looks uneven.
A buildup of dead skin cells, enlarged pores and the effects of years of sun-exposure can affect your skin's texture. People who struggle with genetic skin conditions like eczema, ichthyosis, keratosis pilaris and psoriasis are likely to have rough skin. Dry climates with low humidity can also create rougher, drier skin. A rough, uneven skin texture is also a common symptom of menopause.
Aging: Aging is one of the biggest factors influencing skin texture changes. After puberty, the sebaceous glands enlarge and become active, leading to oilier skin. This wears off as the aging process begins, and skin becomes dryer and loses volume.
Genetics: A variety of different genes and internal processes determine how an individual’s skin will age. If you have a family history of premature aging, you will likely experience some skin texture changes in your lifetime.
Photoaging: Long periods of time spent in the sun can cause wrinkling, as well as rough and uneven skin texture. To protect your skin against photoaging the single most important thing you can do is to consistently use a broad-spectrum physical sunscreen every day.
Lifestyle: One lifestyle choice that leads to rough, damaged skin is smoking. The toxins present in cigarette smoke degrade the skin’s collagen and elastic fibers, accelerating the aging process as a result.
The good news is, as annoying as an uneven skin texture can be, it’s not that difficult to improve. If you're looking for smoother skin, read below for 10 ways to improve your skin texture.
Cleansing regularly is the first step toward a smoother, more radiant complexion. Washing your face helps to remove pore-clogging dirt, grease and makeup. And it helps to loosen dead skin cell build-up, promoting cell renewal.
Wash once in the morning and again before bed. Massage a face cleanser into your skin in a gentle circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with cool to warm water and pat dry with a towel.
Regular exfoliating is another step you can take to improve your skin texture. While exfoliating scrubs may already be part of your routine, skin acids are where it’s at for this.
Skincare acids like salicylic, lactic and glycolic dissolve the glue-like substance that binds dead skin cells to the surface.
These ingredients help to renew the outer layers of the skin, improving the texture. They also allow any smoothing treatments applied after to penetrate the skin more effectively.
Keeping your skin balanced with hydration will in turn keep your skin texture balanced. If your skin isn’t getting enough water it can appear dull- a common symptom of an uneven skin texture.
Follow your cleanse and exfoliation with a hydrating serum. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides. Apply your serum on damp skin to seal in any moisture on the skin’s surface.
It’s just as important to keep your skin hydrated from the inside as it is from the outside. Drinking water helps to flush out toxins from your body that might otherwise appear as blemishes.
Staying hydrated keeps your skin cells plump and the metabolic processes inside them working properly. Drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water per day will help you maintain smooth, healthy skin.
Infusing your skin with antioxidants every day is another way to maintain a smooth, glowy complexion. Antioxidants are molecules that exist naturally in the skin, protecting it from free radical damage. Vitamins C and E, niacinamide, and retinoids are all antioxidants.
Aside from improving skin texture by preventing free radical damage, antioxidants reduce the size of your pores. A vitamin C serum improves skin texture by reducing pigmentation, scar tissue and age spots. Retinoids work by stimulating collagento thicken the deeper layers of the skin while simultaneously thinning the outer skin layer.
Sunscreen is one of the most important skincare products in your routine when it comes to the texture of your skin. Sun exposure is the number one culprit of uneven skin tone and enlarged pores.
UV light causes free radical damage to the body’s natural collagen stores. If collagen becomes compromised, it can't provide an adequate framework for the skin. This enhances the look of pores.
Studies show that regular sunscreen use not only protects your skin but also helps repair the signs of aging. A daily sunscreen habit is an absolute must for keeping your skin's texture in check.
Eating clean means consuming more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats. Eating clean also means limiting highly processed foods, sweets and other packaged foods. These foods create an imbalance in your gut’s microbiome, leading to inflammation that can show up in your skin.
Eat a diet rich in bright-colored fruits and vegetables to boost your skin’s defenses against free radical damage. Fish is also a good food for your complexion. It’s a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for smooth, radiant skin. Try this bright skin smoothie:
Your body repairs itself while you sleep, so not getting enough quality sleep can cause premature aging of the skin. If you’re not sleeping well, it will be written all over your face. Your skin will be sunken in, dry or sallow.
On the other hand, when you’re well rested, your skin will appear plump and bright. They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing! Try to get at least seven to eight hours of quality sleep every night to nourish your skin. Try this meditation to relax:
Exercise induces more blood volume to be pumped through your vessels. This leads to more nutrients making their way to the skin. It also helps reduce inflammation, regulate hormones and prevent free radical damage. And working up a sweat helps to purge your pores of debris!
If you’ve tried everything else to no avail, it may be time to call in the big guns. Make an appointment with a dermatologist and discuss the in-office treatments they provide for smoothing your skin. Most will offer one or more of the following treatments:
Microdermabrasion is a mild procedure used on the face, neck, hands and body. It uses a fine-tipped instrument or by applying a fine mist of abrasive particles. Dermabrasion, on the other hand, is a deeper and more powerful resurfacing technique. Both treatments work by removing top layers of the skin to encourage cell regeneration.
This procedure uses concentrated beams of light to improve skin tone, texture and fine lines and wrinkles. Laser skin resurfacing is also effective in treating redness and hyperpigmentation. The light encourages collagen production and removes unwanted body hair and scars. Laser skin resurfacing works best when performed in a series. A one time treatment can be harsh and can lead to hyperpigmentation or scarring.
This is a type of exfoliation that helps tighten, tone and brighten the complexion. Chemical peels minimize the appearance of age spots, blemishes, wrinkles and mild-to-moderate scarring.
Wrapping Up
A smooth, flawless complexion is the holy grail of skincare. But an uneven skin texture can derail your glowy dreams in an instant. Lucky for you you’re just 10 steps away from smoother skin! With just a few healthy habit changes and tweaks to your skincare routine you can improve the texture of your skin.
