Simple Steps for Softer and Smoother Skin

Numerous factors might cause the skin to lose its softness: Cold weather and low humidity can cause it to dry out, while irritant goods or clothes can cause chafing, pimples, and breakouts. Additionally, as you age, your skin produces less perspiration and oil.

A few simple modifications to your regular skincare regimen may significantly improve the appearance and feel of your skin. The following is what dermatologists recommend.

Don’t scrub too hard.

It may feel nice to exfoliate using a coarse sponge or loofah or to use a scrub composed of grains, seeds, or other small particles. However, they might result in redness and microscopic rips in your skin – particularly if you have sensitive skin.

“These might be seen as injuries by the body,” explains Leila Tolaymat, MD, a dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. “For many folks, using a soft washcloth and working up a good lather of soap or cleanser is preferable.” Additionally, Tolaymat like washcloths because they can be washed frequently, which helps keep bacteria at bay.

If rough-textured scrubs do not irritate your skin, Temitayo Ogunleye, MD, assistant professor of clinical dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, believes they are OK to use on a limited basis.

“If you’re looking for something more opulent, they’re nice once or twice a week,” she says. “However, regularly – particularly during the winter months when skin is drier – I recommend a gentle soap or cleanser.”

Avoid fragrances and harsh chemicals.

While scented soaps and body washes may smell nice, they include chemicals that may irritate your skin. Substitute a fragrance-free bar or liquid cleanser and see the difference, Ogunleye advises.

Additionally, you may seek soaps and body washes that contain hydrating components such as plant-derived oils or butter. Soaps containing glycerin or petrolatum (another term for petroleum jelly) can also assist in retaining moisture rather than evaporating it.

Pat dry and moisturize.

Immediately upon exiting the shower, pat yourself dry with a clean, dry towel. (Avoid rubbing, which might irritate the skin.) Apply a heavy moisturizing lotion to your skin while it is still damp.

Rather than a lotion in a pump bottle, go for one that comes in a jar or a squeezable tube. “Lotions may contain alcohol or other chemicals to thin them down, whereas creams are heavier and better lock in moisture,” Tolaymat explains.

For a Softer and Smoother Skin, choose a lotion that has a mild chemical exfoliator, such as lactic acid or salicylic acid, she advises. “It may assist individuals in shedding part of the rough outer layer of dry, dead skin.” Additionally, choose one that is fragrance- and preservative-free, as these ingredients can irritate sensitive skin and produce redness or a rash.

Don’t forget the sunscreen

Are you planning to spend time in the sun? Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to any exposed skin. Sunburn can momentarily make the skin feel dry and rough.

“UV rays from the sun can destroy the elastin and collagen in the skin, resulting in an uneven texture,” Tolaymat explains.

Additionally, she notes, it can result in scaly, rough areas called actinic keratoses that, if left untreated, can develop into skin cancer.

Don’t rely on toning lotions.

It’s easy to believe that a lotion may help you get smoother skin. However, Ogunleye asserts that over-the-counter treatments claiming to tighten skin or decrease cellulite do not work, at least not long-term.

“Some of these toning creams contain chemicals that promote swelling of the skin, which may temporarily alter its appearance,” she explains. “However, it’s just transitory, and I generally avoid spending money on them.”

Take shorter, cooler showers.

The longer you stay in the shower or bath, the drier your skin will be when you exit. Additionally, hot water dries out the skin more than a moderate temperature, Ogunleye notes. To maintain Softer and Smoother Skin throughout the year, make your showers as brief – and as lukewarm – as feasible.