How to Get Smoother Skin

Use a gentle exfoliant to pave the way to smooth skin.

Beautiful skin starts with a smooth surface. Rough, dry skin can be banished with the help of a consistent skin care routine using the right products. Oftentimes, rough or dry skin is in need of exfoliating and moisturizing products that will help to slough away dead skin cells and replenish the skin with moisture. Many environmental factors can cause not-so-smooth skin, so being a bit of a detective may be necessary when treating your skin.

Things You'll Need

• Gentle cleanser
• Skin brush
• Lactic acid moisturizer

Instructions

1. Cleanse your skin each day with a cleanser suited for your skin type. Opt for a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser free of sulfates and parabens for everyday use. If you have oily or combination skin (oily on the chin, nose and forehead while dry to normal on the cheeks), a cleanser containing glycolic acid should be ideal. Glycolic acid gently cleanses while working to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. For acne-prone skin, a cleanser with salicylic acid will work to prevent breakouts. A cream cleanser is optimal for dry skin.

2. Exfoliate once a week using a gentle exfoliant. An effective exfoliating product should contain particles that will scrub the skin without irritating it or making it feel that it is being scraped. Some exfoliating products may contain sharp particles, such as crushed shells, and should be avoided. These particles are much too sharp and have the potential to leave tiny cuts in the skin, which can result in small scars. Brown sugar makes an ideal scrub ingredient because it is soft but still has the ability to slough away dead skin.

3. Use a skin scrubbing brush once a day for clean, clear and smooth skin. Skin brushes are widely available at drugstores. This form of exfoliation is considered manual exfoliation among skin care professionals and can be done once each day. When removing makeup at night or washing your face before bed, use a skin care brush while your face is wet. Use gentle, circular strokes for one to two minutes.

4. Apply a moisturizer containing lactic acid to your face or other areas of the body that need a smoothing treatment. Massage the moisturizer into your skin both morning and night after cleansing. Lactic acid is a highly effective moisturizer. It is a naturally occurring acid in the body that helps to lubricate joints. It can also be found in milk. It is such an effective moisturizer that is also used to treat skin conditions such as keratosis pilaris, a skin condition in which an overabundance of keratin is found around the hair follicle and results in bumps on the skin.

References

• Derma Doctor: Exfoliation: Breaking the Ties That Bind