Skin texture is a captivating thing. Lumps, bumps, and lines all spin a tale – where you’ve been, what you’ve done, and how you feel. There is a beauty in the raw humanity of it, but sometimes, understanding the causes can leave us puzzled.
The trick is cutting through the noise and finding skincare that works. The smallest changes can create the biggest difference in texture. Get clear on your skincare with these four strategies.
Gentle, Consistent Exfoliation
Learning how to exfoliate is a game-changer. Skin is a layered organ, but even the top layer, the epidermis, becomes cluttered with dead cells. Imagine a dusty countertop; a quick clean reveals the shining material underneath. If your skin feels rough or looks uneven, it’s time to exfoliate.
Avoid aggressive scrubbing, and find products that suit your skin type. Gentleness is key; overexfoliation can cause irritation, redness, and even breakouts. For the best results, commit to consistent exfoliation – either with chemical products like BHAs or physical exfoliants, like scrubs. Once or twice a week is the magic number.
Prioritise Hydration & Barrier Care
Remember that skin is a barrier. In dry, hot, windy, or cold weather, it takes the brunt of the elements. Aside from feeling gratitude and pride (skincare is definitely an opportunity for self-love), it’s an important reminder to prioritize hydration and barrier care.
Temperature fluctuations and wind can remove the moisture from your skin. From a textural perspective, this leaves your face looking dry, rough, and sometimes flaky. Luckily, the solution is simple: protect that barrier. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant and attracts water to the surface of your skin. Niacinamide minimizes pores and promotes hydration. Find the right ingredients, then buy products to match.
Introduce a Cell-Renewal Ingredient
Environment isn’t the only factor that dictates skin texture. Cell renewal is an internal process, which is why investing in retinol skin care is so important. Increasing the rate of cell renewal helps reduce fine lines and improve overall smoothness.
Just learn what to avoid mixing with retinol; pair it with benzoyl peroxide, and you’ll find yourself in a spot of bother. Nobody wants to take an expensive route back to the beginning: dry and flaking skin.
Adjust Lifestyle Habits: Sleep, Sun Protection & Diet Support
Nothing helps skincare like a balanced diet and a good night’s sleep. On that note, it’s actually possible to eat your retinol, as this chemical is a derivative of vitamin A. The easiest way to spot beneficial foods is through color – hence the obsession with orange fruit and veg, like carrot smoothies. The saying is true: “You are what you eat.”
Similarly, the importance of daily SPF cannot be overstated. Choose a trusty product and reapply when necessary.
Skin texture doesn’t have to feel like a mystery. Start with these simple strategies, and watch the results appear.
