When you select skincare products to add to your routine, each one serves a different purpose. You may need an extra dose of hydration for dry areas. Or, perhaps, you’re trying to treat a skin concern such as acne, redness, or dark spots. While everyone has a different skin type, it’s fair to say that everyone wants to achieve a smooth complexion.
If you’re on a mission to achieve a smooth, radiant complexion, here are five tips for choosing the right products.
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1. Determine the Root Cause of Your Skin Concerns
So many things can cause uneven skin tone and rough texture. And if you don’t understand what’s preventing you from having a smooth complexion, you’ll never achieve it. Instead of trying tons of products that claim to give you a smooth complexion, dig deep. Make it your mission to figure out the root cause(s) of your uneven texture. Because to put it quite plainly, there is no one solution. The road to smooth skin will depend entirely on your unique skin type.
Here are just a few things that can cause a change in texture on your skin:
- Acne
- Acne scarring
- Hyperpigmentation
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Dry skin
- Sun damage
Once you nail down what’s causing you to have a rough skin texture, treat it. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. A lot of the factors that can cause your skin to look and feel rough are not easily fixed. Addressing these skin concerns may require a prescription skincare treatment. Fortunately, advancements in telehealth have made prescription-grade skin care more accessible. In addition to prescription skincare, there are additional ways to address most of these skin concerns, more on those below.
2. Exfoliate on a Regular Basis
While you shouldn’t exfoliate every day due to the abrasive ingredients found in many facial scrubs, it’s still important and beneficial. Exfoliating a few times per week removes dead skin cells and sloughs away dry, flaky skin. When choosing a good exfoliator, consider your skin type and major skin concerns. For example, if you have sensitive skin, a chemical exfoliator may be safer than an abrasive scrub.
Exfoliating regularly, about 2-3 times a week, evens out skin texture and minimizes skin discoloration. This is key to achieving a smooth complexion. It’s also necessary to keep your skin healthy. Without it, you might end up dealing with a variety of skin issues. For example, if you’re not exfoliating enough, it can even sometimes lead to skin infections and rashes.
3. Use Hydrating Products Year-Round
It’s always important to use moisturizer for added hydration. No matter your skin type or the time of year, moisturizing is key to helping you avoid common skin concerns. Moisturizing, depending on your skin type, can help you to avoid either extreme dryness or oiliness. Both can cause acne breakouts, so make sure to keep skin hydrated for soft, elastic skin.
The effects of not moisturizing are different for everyone. But at the very least, using a good moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated instead of looking dry and rough. Dry skin can look flaky or even start cracking and peeling. Incorporate a moisturizer that is good for your skin type and change products as needed seasonally. For example, in the winter, you might want to use a thick, rich moisturizing cream. In the summer, use a lighter formula like a gel moisturizer.
4. Consider a Microneedling Treatment
Microneedling is a popular, minimally invasive skincare treatment that is a favorite among skincare experts and estheticians. Available at medical spas and dermatology offices, microneedling is a procedure in which very small needles puncture the skin. By poking these very small holes and ‘injuring’ the skin, you’re forcing the skin to go into repair mode.
The quick, visible improvement in skin tone and texture is astonishing with microneedling (a big reason for its popularity). When the skin is forced to go into repair mode, a lot of great things happen. It increases collagen production, minimizes the appearance of pores, treats acne scars, and improves overall skin texture.
Bonus tip: Laser resurfacing is a great treatment to try if you’re looking to improve texture and want something more aggressive than microneedling. It treats multiple skin concerns, including acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and sun damage.
5. Apply SPF Every Day
Applying SPF every day is such a critical step in any skincare routine. Doing so will help you to avoid visible signs of premature aging and other harmful effects of sun damage. Make sure you incorporate high-quality sunscreen into your morning skincare routine with a minimum SPF of 30. Remember, SPF shouldn’t only be used on days when you’re spending a lot of time in the sun. Rain or shine, hot or cold, indoor or outdoor plans, make sure to use it no matter what.
If you don’t use SPF, it can wreak havoc on your smooth, glowing complexion. The sun can cause a number of skin issues prematurely including fine lines and wrinkles, blemishes, and dark spots. By using quality facial sunscreen, you’ll slow down the aging process and keep your complexion as smooth as possible.
When you don’t have a smooth, glowing complexion, you often feel confident in your skin. Achieving and maintaining flawless skin can be difficult and time-consuming, but once you figure out the right routine, it’s easy. Plus, when you see and feel your new and improved skin, the time you spend will be worth it!
