8 Secrets of Women With Touchably Soft Skin
Updated: Aug. 24, 2019Steal their daily habits for a healthy, radiant complexion.
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They make it a ritual
Simple skin care and lifestyle habits can be cumulative, doing wonders for the tone, texture, and softness of your skin. โBut they donโt work if they are not done routinely,โ says licensed esthetician Laura Kitzmann. โThe most important part of daily skincare is the โdailyโ part.โ That means washing your face with a gentle cleanser every night and following with the treatment products, including a moisturizer, that are right for your skin type. Here are the nighttime habits of people with great skin.
They cleanse gently
Choosing the right daily cleanser is a great first step toward softer skin. Gentle cleansers will clean your face without stripping your skinโs natural oils. โHarsh soaps will dry out the skin, leaving it feeling parched and tight and looking wrinkly and dry,โ says board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD. โConsider avoiding products with sodium lauryl sulfate, which can be especially drying.โ Dermatologist-favorite cleansers that are mild but also effective include Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and Aquation Gentle Moisturizing Cleanser. For super-dry or mature skin, consider a cleansing balm that uses nourishing botanical oils to gently purify skin. Try Elemental Herbologyโs Purify & Soothe Facial Cleansing Balm, with 10 bio-oils, including chamomile essential oil, to calm and hydrate skin. You can also try making your own gentle cleansers with these natural face wash recipes from popular bloggers.
They avoid overwashing
Daily cleansing is a must but itโs possible to overdo it. โWarm water and soap will dissolve natural skin oils, leaving skin susceptible to dehydration and damage,โ Dr. Shainhouse explains. Limit showers to once a day at most, she advises, and use a moisturizing soap, like Dove. (Related: Here are other good reasons to shower less often.) If you must take a second shower to unwind, rinse off quickly with only water, pat dry with a towel, and apply a moisturizer within 3 minutes of getting out. Try Everyone 3-in-1 Lotion, with a blend of deeply hydrating oils plus aromatic and therapeutic essential oils thatโs light enough for your face but moisturizing enough for your hands and body. Check out these face-washing mistakes you probably donโt realize youโre making.
They never skip moisturizer
After cleansing your skin, use toner and moisturizer to lock in hydration. Kitzmann suggests using an alcohol-free toner to give the skin an extra boost of moisture. Try ArtNaturals Rose Water, a natural, pH balanced, non-alcohol toner that soothes and softens freshly washed skin. Immediately follow up with moisturizer, preferably one with hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that binds water to the surface of the skin, plumping it with moisture for major softness. Try Neocutis Lumiere, known to have one of the more potent concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the market. When time is short, hereโs how to moisturize your skin in the shower.
They shun the sun
Sun exposure is the biggest contributor to skin damage and aging over time, so itโs critical to protect against it year-round. โUV rays damage epidermal skin cells and accelerate collagen breakdown deeper in the dermis,โ Dr. Shainhouse says. โThis leads to rough patches, skin discoloration and fine and deeper wrinkles.โ Always wear sunscreen, even on cloudy or snowy days. Choose a broad-spectrum formula with 30+ SPF. Dermatologists recommend EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41, which is lightly tinted, oil-free, and water-resistant, and SkinCeuticals Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50, an oil-absorbing, matte formula that hides sweaty skin. Try to avoid direct sunlight between 10 am and 3 pm, but if you must head outdoors, add long sleeves, and a wide-brimmed hat, and seek out shaded areas whenever possible. If you spend many hours in front of computer screens, cell phones or tablets, consider wearing a formula that blocks blue light, a “silent skin ager,” because it penetrates deep into skin without our realizing. Are you making these sunscreen mistakes may be sabotaging your skin-care routine?
They drink up
Staying hydrated is just as essential to soft, radiant skin as a good product regimen. โYour skin will tell the story of whatโs going on internally as well as externally,โ Kitzmann says. โThe body is composed mostly of water that needs to be replenished.โ Be mindful of how much H20 you drink every day, and limit dehydrating beverages, such as soda, a drink loaded with added sugar and salt, both of which can deplete your body of water. How much water you need to drink daily depends on your weight: Kitzmann suggests dividing it by twoโthatโs the number of ounces of water you should guzzle daily. So for example, a 150-pound woman should aim to knock back 75 ounces of water every day. A little flavor can make all that water a little easier to swallow. Try CORE Organic, a fruit-infused drink with antioxidants and only 5 calories per serving, with flavors like Peach Mango and Coconut Colada. Some women take hydration a step further by taking a skin hydrating supplement designed to moisturize from the inside. Try NeoCell Glow Matrix Advanced Skin Hydrator, with hyaluronic acid and other ingredients known to increase moisture and skin elasticity.
They live clean
In general, whatโs good for your body is good for your skin, according to Dr. Shainhouse, so youโll want to establish healthy habits such as regular exercise and a well-balanced diet. Of course, youโll also want to avoid harmful habits such as smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine, which can take a toll on your skin. You canโt go wrong with these 35 tips for living your healthiest life.
They get pro help
If youโre battling excessively dry skin, with rough patches or breakouts, consider checking in with a skin expert. A dermatologist or licensed esthetician can customize a skincare regimen that will help you achieveโand maintainโsoft, velvety skin. Next: Steal these skincare tips dermatologists use themselves!
- Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, board-certified dermatologist
- Laura Kitzmann, licensed esthetician
