Are There Any Easy Remedies for a Softer and Smoother Face?

For a moisturizing cleanse, use a washcloth to wash your face with milk two or three times a week.

Though definitions of beauty might vary over time and across nationalities, a smooth, soft complexion free of blemishes, rough patches and wrinkles is universally beautiful. Not only will having clear skin make you feel more beautiful and confident as you go about your day, it also provides a nice canvas if you choose to wear makeup. Smooth, baby-soft skin is within reach if you incorporate a few easy steps into your daily skincare routine. Does this Spark an idea?

Cleanse

Laura Mercier told "Oprah" magazine that there are a few skincare steps women should follow every single day if they want smoother skin. First, always wash makeup off before bed, using a gentle makeup remover for removing eye makeup. Next, use a cleanser or cream that’s free of perfumes or additives every morning and night. Ridding the skin and pores of dirt will allow your skin to breathe. It’s really important to rinse well after cleansing to ensure that there is no soapy residue left on the face. When selecting a cleanser, pick one that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulphate, which can dry out your skin. Instead, stick with a cleansing milk.

Exfoliate

Clogged pores and dead skin cells can cause skin to feel and appear bumpy. To deep-clean the pores and remove the top layer of skin to reveal softer, smoother skin underneath, it’s crucial that you exfoliate. Dermatologists, including California-based MD Cynthia Bailey, suggest using a handheld oscillating brush daily along with your cleanser. You can also use a baby’s wash cloth, wet it and rub it in small circular motions to remove dead skin. Physical exfoliating scrubs containing synthetic microbeads and cleansers containing the chemical exfoliant alpha hydroxy can also help smooth and soften skin.

Tone and Moisturize

After exfoliating it's time for toning and moisturizing. If you have oily skin, use an alcohol-free toner to smooth skin. Then use an oil-free non-comedogenic moisturizer. "I really advise every woman from her 20s and older to moisturize every day," Mercier tells "Oprah" magazine. "You need to add moisture back into skin because age, pollution, harsh weather and even air conditioning can dry skin. You can find a good quality moisturizer in the mass market without spending a fortune."

Lifestyle Tips

Twice a week, give yourself a soothing mask by cracking open an aloe vera leaf and applying its contents to your face. This will rehydrate the skin to make it soften and reduce redness and inflammation. Also, using a humidifier can keep air hydrated in your bedroom while you sleep, ensuring your skin stays moisturized and supple.

References

• Oprah: Five Simple Steps to Fresh Skin
• Dr. Bailey Skincare
• Oprah: Beautiful Skin in Your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s