Some people have naturally smooth and soft skin, while others have to work hard to achieve this. Regardless of the texture that characterizes your skin, exfoliation and hydration are two essential steps to keep it healthy and visibly improve it. To have a soft and silky skin like that of a baby, change your daily habits in order to protect and nourish the largest organ of the body.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Exfoliation
Step 1. Use a loofah or regular sponge
This super simple tool makes a huge difference for anyone looking to soften their skin. Dead cells accumulate on the epidermis, so water alone is not enough to remove them. Performing a quick massage with a loofah or other sponge at each wash favors the elimination of dead cells, leaving a layer of fresh, healthy, soft and radiant skin to emerge.
- Try pouring a moisturizing body wash or body oil on the sponge.
- If you have dry skin, avoid using soap sticks when washing or exfoliating. This product can dry out the skin: instead of softening the skin surface, it will make it even rougher.
Step 2. Try dry exfoliation
It is an exfoliation technique that allows you to remove scales and improve circulation, promoting proper cell regeneration. This technique is particularly effective for extremely dry skin that tends to flake or flake off during the driest periods of the year. Dry exfoliation is done by massaging a dry brush onto dry skin. It is a delicate technique that can be performed every day. Get a natural bristle body brush and use it as follows:
- Massage the skin of your legs for 3 to 4 minutes using upward motions. Work from the ankles to the torso. Focus on particularly dry areas.
- Spend another 3 to 4 minutes on your arms, massaging the skin from wrists to shoulders.
- Gently massage the abdomen, back and other dry areas.
- The body brush should not be used on the face: use a specific one for the skin of the face, with delicate bristles.
Step 3. Use a body scrub
A scrub contains a blend of oils and exfoliating substances such as salt, sugar, or ground oats. By massaging it gently on the skin, it removes dead cells and also hydrates it thanks to the action of the oil. Once rinsed, the epidermis will be smooth and soft. Do the scrub 1 or 2 times a week. You can make it at home using one of the following recipes:
- ½ cup of coconut oil and ½ cup of coarse sugar (for dry skin).
- ½ cup of aloe and ½ cup of sea salt (for oily skin).
Step 4. Use a product containing alpha hydroxy acids
Alpha hydroxy acids, including citric acid, lactic acid and glycolic acid, exhibit a slight exfoliating function which however does not have an abrasive effect on the skin. They are found naturally in fruit, milk and sugar cane. Applying them to the skin, they remove dead cells.
- Products that contain 5 or 10% alpha hydroxy acids are available over the counter in the form of lotions and creams.
- Make sure you don't exceed the recommended daily allowances. Abusing acids or any other exfoliation technique can be harmful to the skin.
- Facial peels and treatments with an alpha hydroxy acid concentration greater than 10% should only be used after consulting a dermatologist.
Step 5. Don't overdo it
Exfoliation is a necessary procedure for caring for the skin, but it is important to avoid overdoing it. If you do it too aggressively or frequently, you risk damaging or irritating the skin, a counterproductive result for those who want to soften it instead. Keep the following in mind:
- Use the body scrub only once or twice a week. This product dries the sebum, which has the function of protecting the skin, so using it too often can dry it out.
- Do not rub the skin too vigorously. Whichever technique you employ, apply gentle pressure.
- Be careful when exfoliating your face. The skin on the face is more delicate than the rest of the body. If you want to dry massage, remember to use a specific device.
Method 2 of 3: Hydration
Step 1. Use a moisturizing lotion
This product helps keep the skin soft thanks to the combination of moisturizing ingredients (such as water or aloe) and humectants, which retain moisture (such as shea butter, lanolin or cocoa butter). Dermatologists recommend using it after the shower to keep the skin as hydrated as possible.
- Many commercially available lotions contain ingredients that can dry out the skin, such as alcohol and chemical fragrances. As much as the label states that the product is formulated for extremely dry skin, it can do more harm than good.
- Look for all-natural lotions, containing high-quality, nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, lanolin, cocoa butter, aloe and oils.
- If you have particularly dry skin, see a dermatologist for a prescription medicated lotion containing a corticosteroid or immunomodulator.
Step 2. Use a body oil
This product is a great alternative to creams and lotions for dry skin. Just massage in baby or adult formulated oil when you leave the bath or shower. The oil prevents water from evaporating too quickly from the skin, creating a protective barrier between the epidermis and the air.
- Baby oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil are all great options.
- If you don't like the feeling of greasy skin, try massaging it on particularly dry areas, such as elbows and knees.
Step 3. Try a mask
If your skin feels tight and is rough to the touch, a rejuvenating and moisturizing mask can put it back on track. Once a week, set aside an hour to make a body mask. You can make it using ingredients you probably already have on hand. Take a lukewarm shower, massage the mask into damp skin and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off.
- To make the mask at home, try mixing ½ cup of cream, 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 banana. Blend until you get a homogeneous mixture.
- Alternatively, try mixing ½ cup of aloe, 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 avocado. Stir until you get a homogeneous mixture.
- These masks can be applied to any part of the body, including the face.
Step 4. Hydrate from within
If you have dry, rough skin regardless of the products you use, try the oldest and most effective way to hydrate your body: drinking water. Drinking lots of water is important for healthy, smooth and soft skin. Basically, drink whenever you are thirsty. Bring in more fluids when exercising to maintain an adequate level of hydration.
- Try replacing coffee, alcohol, and fizzy drinks with water whenever you can.
- Bring a bottle of water to keep you hydrated throughout the day.
Step 5. Use a humidifier
If you live in a dry environment, it can be difficult to keep your skin fresh and soft. In some areas the air tends to be drier in summer, while in others during the winter season. Either way, the result is the same: chapped and irritated skin. The solution? Use a humidifier, which is a simple appliance that generates water vapor in order to increase the level of humidity inside a room.
- The ideal humidity level for a home is between 30 and 50%. You can measure this using a hygrometer, a thermometer-like instrument available from hardware stores.
- Humidifiers also have other benefits, such as preventing sinusitis and other breathing problems, or treating split lips.
Method 3 of 3: Change Your Habits
Step 1. Change your washing habits
If you are in the habit of taking long hot baths, it is possible that you are unknowingly damaging your skin. In fact, when you immerse yourself in water for a prolonged period, the epidermis dehydrates and the sebum, which has a protective function, dries up. As a result, the skin becomes dry and rough. The heat of the water attacks the skin and can also irritate it. Whenever you can, take a short shower with warm or cold water to keep it cool and soft.
- When taking a bath, add moisturizing ingredients to the water, such as a few tablespoons of oil. Do not overdo it with soap, as it can attack and remove the coating created by the sebum.
- If you use hot water, apply a full-bodied cream or oil immediately after drying.
Step 2. Gently dry the skin
If you have a habit of rubbing it with a towel, you risk drying it out, irritating it and making it much rougher. To make it soft, pat it dry with a soft towel. This way you won't remove the sebum and you won't absorb large amounts of water before applying the cream or lotion.
- This is particularly important for drying the face. Rubbing it can irritate and damage the skin. Pat it dry with a soft towel.
- If you have time, it is best to let it air dry.
Step 3. Always use sunscreen
Sun exposure not only contributes to the formation of dark spots, it also causes dryness, roughness and wrinkles. Keep your skin soft and hydrated by applying a generous dose of sunscreen every time you plan to go out. Use a sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher to best protect it.
Step 4. Eat right
What you eat is reflected in the texture of the skin. If you are serious about having it nice and soft, it is possible that you need to change your diet. Try introducing the following nutrient-rich foods. You should start seeing a substantial difference after a few weeks or months.
- Nuts, flax seeds and fish such as salmon or sardines: they contain omega-3 fatty acids, essential for healthy skin;
- To get your fill of vitamin A, eat carrots and low-fat dairy products.
- Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and plums are rich in antioxidants. They help repair skin damage caused by sun exposure.
- With its anti-inflammatory properties, green tea helps keep skin visibly soft and healthy.
Step 5. If you have extremely dry skin, see a doctor to treat it
If it is dry regardless of the attention you pay it, it is possible that it is suffering from a disease that must be treated by taking specific medicines. Eczema, psoriasis and chronic dryness often require the intervention of a dermatologist, as it is not enough to regularly apply creams and use skin care techniques. See a doctor if you believe your skin is affected by any of the following:
- Eczema: This condition causes dry, red, itchy patches to form. It is usually treated with over-the-counter or prescription ointments or creams containing corticosteroids. In severe cases it is treated using moisturizing products that form a protective barrier or immunomodulators for topical application.
- Psoriasis: This pathology causes acute dryness, promoting the formation of rather extensive chapped areas and patches covered with scales. It can be treated with creams or ointments containing salicylic acid, steroids or calcipotriol. Coal tar shampoos and ointments are also commonly prescribed. Additionally, prescription retinoids are effective in some cases. Severe psoriasis can finally be treated with a laser or by taking drugs based on active ingredients such as methotrexate.
