Some are born with smooth skin; others have to work hard to get it. Does it sound right? Because it’s not really accurate. The skin condition is affected by internal and external factors, and sometimes what we do to keep healthy skin every day matters more than the genetic inheritance.
And you don’t need to jump through loops and hoops to get clear, smooth skin. However, it does take perseverance and some basic knowledge about skin type and skin care. It’s not enough to cleanse your face every once in a while or only when you wear makeup – this needs to become your daily habit if you want to avoid unpleasant skin conditions. Also, you don’t need to see a board-certified dermatologist every time you get a pimple; just follow a few simple rules.
Soft and smooth skin requires daily care, without any excuses, without delays. And sunscreen every day, whatever the season might be. Having a daily skincare routine can prove to be highly beneficial for your skin and the overall aspect of the face. Let’s see together what you need to know to get smooth skin naturally!
What are the 4 types of skin?
There are four main skin types, and each of them requires specific care:
Oily skin type
Your skin is oily if you have an excess of sebum at the level of the face, occasional breakouts and blemishes. To check if you have oily skin, all you have to do is wash your face, don’t apply any skincare or makeup products, and wait for a half an hour to an hour. If you press a paper towel on your skin and it gets oily after this time, the chances are you have oily skin. People with oily skin are more prone to develop acne, so a proper beauty routine needs to be established early to keep the skin smooth and clear.
Combination skin type
This skin type is characterized by an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and dry patches on the rest of the face. The daily routine to keep combination skin supple and soft entails using a gentle cleanser and facial moisturizing, among others.
Dry skin type
Rough skin on the level of the face is caused by excessive dryness. Dry skin needs plenty of hydration to look soft, smooth, and plump. Dry skin tends to develop wrinkles and fine lines way before oily or combination skin.
Normal skin type
The normal skin type is a dream for many of us who are past our 20s! We call normal skin a type of skin that hasn’t been affected by sun damage, excess of sebum, dryness or other internal or external factors.
Some would argue that the 4 skin types are actually 5, if we include sensitive skin. However, the reality is that your skin can be dry and sensitive, or oily and sensitive, so this is more of a subclass than a category on its own.
There are also skin experts mentioning mature skin as a separate category. But, just like it is the case with sensitive skin, mature skin can be associated with any of the main types we mentioned before.
How can I improve my skin texture?
We’ve discussed the four main skin types before to be able to answer this very popular question now. We can improve the skin texture by taking the necessary measures depending on out skin type. Mixing things up or not know what is right for your skin type can lead to damaged skin, and this is something we all want to avoid!
Improve the texture of oily skin
Oily skin can sometimes look puffy and with shiny areas because of the excess of sebum. To improve the texture of oily skin, we need to balance the sebum production, address the shine and reduce the puffiness.
- Use a dedicated cleanser
A water-based cleanser or a micellar water is the right cleansing solution when it comes to oily skin. An oil-based cleanser can make matters worse, so this is something you’ll want to avoid in the future. A gentle, yet efficient cleanser for oily skin should help you get rid of the impurities from the level of the face and balance the oil product.
- Use a toner
A toner is not always a must when it comes to the daily beauty routine. However, people with oily face might find that it helps to use a toner after the cleanser and before the serum.
- Exfoliate regularly
A chemical exfoliating scrub could be a game-changer for you, if you are dealing with oily skin. People with oily skin can use a gentle scrub as often as every other day, or according to the indications on the product’s label. But make sure to moisturize properly after each use.
Improve the texture of dry skin
Making rough skin feel soft and smooth sounds like a bit of a challenge, even for the most experienced skincare experts. However, it’s not as difficult as it seems because all you need to do is cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and then moisturize some more!
- Use a hydrating serum
If for oily skin we need serums that balance the oil production, when it comes to dry skin, we need hydration. This means that we need to look for ingredients that can retain water and lock in moisture for long-lasting hydration. One of the most popular active ingredients in hydrating serums is hyaluronic acid. You can introduce the serum to your daily routine as early in life as possible if you have dry skin and you will see the benefits in time. Hyaluronic acid fills in fine lines and wrinkles and makes the skin plumper, softer and smoother.
- Apply a rich moisturizing cream every day
If people with oily skin need to look for water-based products with a gel-like texture, you can enjoy rich creams with nourishing ingredients. Rich textures are a pleasure to apply and they provide the right level of hydration, provided that they contain ingredients suitable for dry skin.
- Use sunscreen every day
We grew up thinking that sunscreen is just for those torrid summer days that we choose to spend at the pool or the beach. However, dermatologists all agree that nowadays, sunscreen is a daily requirement. The good news is that now we have moisturizing creams with SPF, and this makes things simple and comfortable. In the morning you can just switch to an SPF cream to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun and to get smooth skin.
General tips for smooth skin
Normal skin doesn’t require a specific set of instructions or products that need to be followed to the letter. At the same time, people with combination skin should take into consideration the tips discussed at oily and dry skin. But, there are some general tips for smooth skin that we can all benefit from:
- Try facial massages
Not only that they feel amazing, but it only takes a few minutes and you can have them in the comfort of your home, every evening before bedtime. Use and oil if you have dry skin or a jade roller if you have oily skin and just massage the skin for a few minutes. Gentle massage movements improve circulation at the level of the face, hence reducing puffiness and making the skin smoother than ever before.
- Hydrate your body
Smooth skin is well-hydrated skin. And hydration doesn’t only come from skincare products; it comes from what we eat and drink too. Choose a diet rich in fresh fruit and veggies and drink plenty of water and herbal infusions to ensure your body is properly hydrated and it will show on your skin!
- Introduce antioxidants and good fatty acids to your diet
If your diet is rich in avocado, salmon, olive oil, nuts and seeds, as well as blueberries, broccoli and other healthy foods, the chances are that your skin will be soft and smooth too. Avoid fried foods, carbonated sugary beverages, and sugar in general to have a glowing, smooth complexion.
- Try DIY home remedies
From facial masks with cucumber, yogurt, honey, and aloe vera to peach seed powder scrub, there are so many choices when it comes to home remedies to get smooth skin. You can get creative with the ingredients you have in the kitchen, as long as they don’t trigger allergic reactions and are suitable for your skin type. Even something as simple as massaging the face for a few minutes with a fresh slice of lemon can have beneficial effects on the skin.
- Protect the skin from environmental factors
Whether we are talking about pollution, extreme heat, wind, or others, it is important to protect the skin before going outside. Like we change our clothes depending on the weather, you need to do the same with your skincare products. In winter, the skin needs more hydration than usual, and in summer, it needs lighter textures for the skincare products you use.
Final words
Smooth skin is easily achievable with a proper, regular skincare routine. Whatever your skin type might be, if you address all the skin concerns and cleanse, use a toner and moisturize twice a day, you will wake up with smooth and soft skin sooner than you might think. Also, keep in mind that a balanced and healthy lifestyle helps a great deal with the skin condition too.
