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6 quick Ways to Get Smooth Skin
There’s nothing like having soft, smooth skin that looks silky to the touch. It makes the face look youthful and draws attention to the beautiful features of the face. While for some people having smooth, dewey skin comes effortlessly and naturally, for many of us that were not blessed with the good skin DNA, we find ourselves on a constant quest for ways to get smooth skin with home remedies, creams and other beauty treatments.
Just a quick search on the net for home remedies for smooth skin or a visit to a local beauty store, and you will be bombarded with many pitches on how to get smooth skin with this cream or that wipe. Attaining smooth skin will come from a combination of factors which includes, a good skin care regimen, having a proper diet, and a healthy lifestyle which.
For those of us with blemish prone skin, the first step is to keep breakouts under control with an effective acne skin care regimen to not only achieve clear skin but to prevent further appearance of dark marks and scars. If you’re dealing with hormonal acne, check out this post HERE.
If you are looking for ways to get smooth skin that looks dewey, young and fresh, here are some six tips:
1) Use a primer
Primers are a great way to instantly create the illusion of smooth, dewey skin. You typically use it prior to makeup application to create a smooth base, helping makeup to apply flawlessly and last longer without much need to touch up.
Primers typically contain silicones and other hydrating agents that temporarily plump up lines and crevices on the skin making the surface appear smooth and even.
Those with oily and acne prone skin should take caution to primers containing silicones because as someone with acne-prone skin, I’ve typically had problems with them clogging my pores. Silicones coat the skin and this can be problematic for oily, acne-prone skin, because it does not allow the skin to breathe leading to clogged pores.
An alternative is to look for primers containing agents that work by drawing water to the skin while still allowing the skin to breathe. A recommended primer is the MAC prep and prime brightening primer and you can check out the product review HERE.
2) Microdermabrasion
Exfoliating the skin removes dead skin cells and reveals the fresh, healthier skin that is hiding underneath. After a good exfoliation treatment, your skin should feel and look softer and smoother. Microdermabrasion treatments are a slightly more aggressive form of exfoliation than our typically face scrubs. The treatments are typically done at a med spa or dermatologist office and have little to no down time as compared to peels and other clinical skin care treatments.
The concept is simple, crystals are applied to the skin in a gentle motion to remove dead skin cells. If done at a med spa, the application of the crystals is assisted with a microdermabrasion machine to buff out dead skin cells. Nowadays there are a plethora of microdermabrasion treatments you can purchase and use in the comforts of your own home.
If using at-home microdermabrasion treatment, it is important to look for a quality brand and product, because you want to ensure that the crystals are very fine, not coarse which can lead to damage of the skin. If you’re looking for a powerful and effective at-home microdermabrasion kit, check out PMD, Personal Microderm and its reviews on Makeupalley.com.
3) Natural honey and brown sugar scrub
A good, natural exfoliating treatment that produces instantly smooth skin is using a combination of sugar granules and honey.
Sugar is better alternative to commercial exfoliating scrubs because it is finer and less likely to scrape and irritate the skin. Also sugar is fairly affordable and for a truly luxurious treatment, opt for brown sugar which is less abrasive and great for sensitive skin types.
Honey is a hydrating agent that is excellent for all skin types. It not only moisturizes and heals the skin but also has some antibacterial qualities which can benefit acne prone skin.
A combination of both the honey and sugar makes an excellent exfoliating treatment, and if used regularly will help to keep skin look soft and smooth. I have done a tutorial on how to create this simple scrub HERE.
4) Hyaluronic acid serum
There are serums on the market with collagen boosting properties that plump up skin indentations and wrinkles and give the skin a smoother, dewey appearance. These serums often contain the popular collagen boosting ingredient hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid, also often referred as sodium hyaluronate, is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the human body which attracts water to the skin and tissues to keep them hydrated. It can be likened to a sponge, and not only does it help the skin to attract and absorb water, but also helps to retain and prevent water loss.
During our early years, the body produces more of this chemical and as we age, it produces less of it which explains why babies and children have softer, smoother skin, and why our skin tends to get rougher and dryer as we age. Typically hyaluronic acid are used in anti-aging therapies in the form of injectables, but it can also be applied topically to hydrate and plump the skin.
5) Vitamin C based serum
If you’re looking for ways to get smooth skin, make sure to add vitamin c serum to your beauty regimen.
Vitamin C is a well known anti-oxidant and collagen boosting agent. When applied topically, vitamin c not only protects the skin from free radicals that can negatively affect tone and texture of the skin, but it can also boost collagen and instantly give the skin a beautiful glow.
The strength of the vitamin c serum can range from as low as 5% up to 25%, with 25% being the highest that can be absorbed by the skin. It is always best to start with a lower percentage and work your way up to avoid irritating your skin. If possible, do a patch test to see what strength your skin can tolerate.
Some of the most notable brands for vitamin c based serums are Cellex-C, Skinceuticals and Obagi. The downside is that these commercial serums tend to be on the high side price wise, and because vitamin c tends to oxidize quickly, the shelf life of these serums is anywhere from 3-6 months.
Fortunately, you can easily make a vitamin c serum yourself by purchasing the vitamin c powder from a local natural foods grocer, adding a bit of water and mixing it up. Check back soon for a detailed recipe on how to make the serum. For more information on vitamin c in skin care, check out this post I did HERE.
6) Retinoids
If you have ever been prescribe Retin-A or used retinols, then you are familiar with retinoids. These are powerful exfoliating agents that shed dead skin cells and stimulate collagen production to create soft, smooth skin.
Not all retinoids are created equal, for example Retin-A, one of the more powerful forms of retinoids is only available by prescription, while retinol a weaker form, can be purchased over the counter.
Retinoids should be used with care as they can irritate and thin the skin if over used or not used correctly. It is a good idea to consult with your dermatologist before using them. Also make sure to apply them only during the night as they do make the sensitive to sunlight and if using any form retinoids be sure to apply a high SPF sunscreen during sun exposure.
Any other tips on ways to get smooth skin, please share in the comment box below.
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