Smooth skin

Isn’t having a smoother, radiant and younger-looking skin your top priority since ever? From dealing with acne in your teens to stress-related breakouts, sun damage and the first signs of aging in adulthood, you always find yourself fighting the good fight to maintain a healthy-looking visage. While being diligent with your regimen definitely helps keep your skin’s smoothness from going south, there are plenty of other factors that can make or break your skin care goals. Especially because your skin takes a beating from a number of everyday stress factors.

Primary causes of rough or textured skin

Pollution, stress and sun damage over time make your complexion more prone to roughness, wrinkles, age spots and sagging. Also, if you are exposed to genetic conditions like eczema, ichthyosis, keratosis pilaris and psoriasis your skin may be especially susceptible and easily results dry and rough. Age adds to all this the chemical and hormonal changes body undergoes due to perimenopause and menopause that can contribute to an overall loss of skin smoothness.

With age our skin produces less and less elements that help it to look fresh, like collagen protein that provides firmness and support (by the time a woman reaches menopause, she has about 45 percent less collagen).

The buildup of dead and keratinized skin cells and repetitive irritation also take a toll on your skin’s texture and appearance and lack of moisture and hydration is one of the top reasons your skin appears rough and dry.

And solutions to improve skin texture and smoothness

Although it may not always be possible for adults to reclaim the firm and blemish-free complexion of their youth, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to give up on your pursuit to age gracefully. Below, some of the best recommended tips for smoother skin from head to toe.

1. diet – processed foods, alcohol and refined carbs contribute to the destruction of good bacteria and create an imbalance in your gut’s microbiome, leading to inflammation that can also manifest in your skin. Instead, add more vitamins and antioxidants in your diet, in the form of berries and other bright-colored fruits and vegetables, to boost your skin’s defenses against free radical damage. Fish is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for smooth, radiant skin. 
2. Sleep well – stress can wreak havoc on your skin, especially when you’re not allowing your body to rest and recover from the daily grind. Check the mind gym section and find out techniques to improve your sleep quality can
3. Exercise – through a regular exercise more blood volume is pumped through the vessels of the face, leading to more micronutrients and healing properties to the facial skin. It also helps reduce inflammation, regulate skin-significant hormones and prevent free radical damage. Plus, sweating is also a great way to purge pores of debris!
4. Get serious with cleansing and exfoliation – removing dead skin cells on the surface and allowing light to reflect from the skin. Use a gentle but effective cleanser like Cleansing Milk to make sure you remove all traces of pore-clogging dirt, grease and makeup without the risks of over-washing and drying out your skin. Exfoliate, either chemically like with Start over, Start fresh, or mechanically.
5. Boost hydration with the right moisturizers – add serum always at your skincare routine, both in the morning and at night to prevent flaking and dry patches and replenish lost moisture. Your best bets are mild hydrating powerhouses like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides. For best results, apply your lotion or moisturizer on damp skin (or within three minutes of stepping out of the shower) to trap water, then follow up with a face or body oil to seal and lock in moisture. Check out Y- Raising Beauty moisturizing face serum for an all-encompassing deep hydration.

1. Hydrate your skin from within – make water your best friend.
2. Shun the sun – it’s no secret that UV radiation is bad news for the skin, so always remind to properly protect your face!
3. And in the end, have a skin smooth as a baby!