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11 Timeless Tips for Softer, Smoother Skin

August 17, 2010 Health and Beauty Tips

1. Hold off on hot showers. Hot water is a hydration-zapper. Plus, not only does it leave skin dry, but it can make it dull and itchy. That’s why when washing your hands and body, use lukewarm water, which doesn’t steal moisture from the skin like hot water.

If you love your hot showers, just try to shorten them to about five to 10 minutes tops. Also, avoid hot tubs. According to About’s beauty guide, Julyne Derrick, the super-hot temps and chemicals are “torture on dry skin.”

2. Say buh-bye to bath bubbles. Bath bubbles often contain harsh ingredients that irritate all skin types, especially anyone with sensitive skin. Instead, consider bath oils or oatmeal formulas. Oatmeal, in particular, is soothing. Try out this recipe from AltUse the next time you’re taking a bath: Into your bath, pour one cup of milk, two cups of uncooked oatmeal and 1 tablespoon of honey. Again, make sure the water is lukewarm. You can soak for 10 to 20 minutes.
3. Forgo fragrance. Soaps and cleansers with fragrance can dry out and even irritate the skin. Instead, find moisturizing formulas, which aren’t just gentler on the skin but also contain emollients and humectants to boost hydration. When buying cleansers and washes, look for “the emollient glycerin and humectants such as petrolatum, sunflower oil, and soybean oil,” according to WebMD.
4. Skip foaming skin care, too. If you already have dry skin, avoid cleansers or body washes that foam. According to dermatologist Baumann, M.D., on her Yahoo! Health blog, The Skin Guru, foaming formulas “can remove more of your skin’s valuable lipids and impair its natural ability to hydrate.” She also suggests evaluating your kitchen products and laundry detergent. You can find detergent that’s designed for sensitive skin or even make your own.
5. Look for exfoliating and hydrating ingredients. Salicylic acid and alpha hydroxy acids are super-stars when it comes to removing dead skin cells and revealing smoother, softer skin. These ingredients are effective for removing rough spots on the skin. However, keep in mind that salicylic and alpha hydroxy acids increase sun sensitivity, so be extra diligent with your sun protection. For added hydration, seek out products with glycerin or ceramides.
6. Moisturize within minutes. Since moisturizers help your skin retain moisture — and don’t actually provide it — it’s key to apply them immediately after showering, bathing or washing your hands. In fact, applying moisturizer to dry skin is pointless. So, as a rule, slather on moisturizer to damp skin within three minutes.
7. Dry-brush the skin. To boost exfoliation and bust dead skin build-up, brush your skin before taking a shower. This helps to remove flakes. Any kind of brush just won’t do. Look for a brush with natural bristles and a long, removable handle. You can probably find a brush for as little as $5.
8. Shave away. Aside from removing unwanted hair, shaving also acts like an exfoliant. It sloughs off a layer of dead skin cells, uncovering the newer, softer skin cells beneath. Just be sure not to dry shave, and use hydrating shaving creams. Shaving is actually one of the reasons men’s skin tends to look younger: By shaving, they regularly remove dead skin from their faces.
9. Cover up. Since the sun sucks out moisture big-time, damages collagen and creates free radicals — thereby causing premature aging and preventing supple skin — apply sunscreen regularly to all exposed areas. You can also cover your skin with clothing that contains sun protection. Just look for clothes that have an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). When doing housework, always wear gloves to protect your hands from harsh cleaning products. Also, wear gloves when you garden, and when it’s cold out to protect your skin from cracking and peeling.
10. Re-assess your skin type. Since your skin changes with age — it gets drier and less supple — and with the seasons — both cold and hot seasons can dry out the skin — it’s important to reevaluate your skincare routine regularly. You might need to get creams, instead of lotions, or skip your toner when it gets cold.
11. Pay attention to potentially drying products. The products you’re using can also dry out your skin. For instance, retinol formulas and prescription-strength retinoids can be very drying. While you shouldn’t stop using these formulas — they’re incredibly effective — you might want to seek out moisturizing, gentle products. Consider using a mild cleanser and a more hydrating moisturizer with antioxidants. According to Derrick, who uses the retinoid Retin-A, this facial moisturizer is “creamy, goes on smoothly and makes [her] skin glowy and moist all day long.” Here’s more on why retinol andretinoids are such powerful anti-aging — and acne-fighting — ingredients.

There’s no one secret behind soft, smooth skin. To get hydrated skin from head to toe, just follow the above healthy habits and incorporate moisture-boosting and exfoliating formulas into your routine.

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