We all desire smooth baby soft skin…
The quest for smoother more radiant skin is never-ending. Dealing with acne in your teens to stress-related breakouts, sun damage and the first signs of aging in adulthood, you always find yourself fighting the never-ending battle to maintain a healthy-looking appearance. Diligence with your regimen helps, but there are plenty of other factors that can break your skin care goals.
What Makes Skin so Rough???
Our skin is influenced by several factor. Pollution, stress, sun damage, and more over time these factors chip away at your complexion and cause texture issues. This includes Wrinkles, roughness, and dryness. If you struggle with a genetic conditions like eczema, ichthyosis, keratosis pilaris and psoriasis you are especially susceptible to having dry and rough skin says Dr. Lillian Soohoo, a board-certified dermatologist in Mountain View, CA.
Older women with chemical and hormonal changes due to perimenopause and menopause can contribute to an overall loss of skin smoothness. The normal aging process plays a huge role in your skin’s health, according to David Pollock, a beauty chemist and skin care expert. “[As we age], our body produces less and less of the key elements that keep us looking younger. Collagen protein provides firmness and support. Yet, by the time a woman reaches menopause, she has about 45 percent less collagen,” Pollock explains.
How Do We Improve Our Skin Texture?
Although it may not always be possible for adults to reclaim the firm and blemish-free complexion they had when they were younger, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to give up. Below, we put together a list of dermatologist-recommended tips for smoother skin from head to toe.
1. Improve Your Diet
Avoid processed foods and pump your diet with natural healthy alternatives to keep your Skin beautiful. Processed foods, alcohol and refined carbs contribute to the destruction of good bacteria and create an imbalance in your gut’s microbiome, leading to inflammation that can also manifest in your skin.
So, we recommend adding more vitamins and antioxidants in your diet. This could be in the form of berries and other bright-colored fruits and vegetables. It will boost your skin’s defenses against free radical damage, and more. Also try a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for smooth, radiant skin.
“Vitamins A and C and zinc all play an integral role in skin repair and health,” adds Dr. Heidi Prather, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas. Most fruits and vegetables contain the first two. Zinc can be found in dairy and poultry products, legumes, meat and—best of all—dark chocolate!
2. Start an Exfoliation and Regimen
"Cleansing and mild exfoliation will give skin a smoother, more radiant appearance by removing dead skin cells on the surface,” explains Dr. Soohoo. Double-cleansing according to your skin type is also a good way to make sure you remove all traces of pore-clogging dirt, grease and makeup. Try using a cleansing oil or gentle cleanser.
Exfoliation, on the other hand, can be done two ways. While scrubs and peels may already be part of your skin care routine, you may be overlooking parts of your body like your hands and feet. Milde abrasive scrubs with moisturizing oils, antioxidant-rich, and other ingredients can help soften and smoothen legs and feet. If you have sensitive skin that may be prone to micro-scarring, Dr. Guanche recommends lathering your body with a mild glycolic-acid body wash with a soft puff instead.
3. Avoid Staying Out in The Sun
It’s no secret that UV radiation is bad news for the skin. In fact, most skin damage in older people is caused by a lifetime of unprotected sun exposure. “Chronic sun damage throughout our life has a cumulative effect of destroying the collagen and elastin that make up the connective tissues of our skin,” says Dr. Hal Weitzbuch, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles.
Whether you’re sipping a drink on the beach or relaxing inside, broad-spectrum sun protection is the best course of action. Especially when you consider the fact that up to 80 percent of UV rays can penetrate cloud cover and pass through glass and car windows. In the winter, the sun’s rays can be reflected on the snow and bounce back, hitting your skin twice.
Recommendation… a broad-spectrum SPF 30 should be used daily to give your skin adequate defense from both UVA and UVB rays. If spending an extended time outdoors, reach for SPF 50 or higher.
