There is nothing more frustrating than textured skin. And if the constant release of the latest skin care products and regimens are any indication, it’s that smoother, younger, glowing skin is a never-ending battle. Whether its bumps, acne, scars, or just overall rough, there are many things that can cause uneven skin textures and causes you to ask the question ‘Why is my skin not smooth?’. Of course, being diligent in your skin care regimen and washing your face in a circular motion will be key to unlocking the radiant skin you desire. However, there are still plenty of things that can cause new textures on your skin (1).
When it comes to radiant skin, it’s important to work from the inside out. Skin doesn’t just start topically but actually internally. Taking your health into your hands and making small changes in your diet and lifestyle can have a drastic positive impact on the overall health and glow of your skin. After all, the skin is the largest organ of the body and must be handled with care from every aspect. The beautiful thing about our skin, however, is that it has the power to heal itself. When we start internally and work our way out, not only do we create smoother skin texture, but we also create long-lasting results that will benefit us for years to come.
Let’s Start Internally
While you may not be able to reclaim firm, baby smooth skin, you can help your skin prolong the process of aging, help the skin regain its elasticity, and get rid of any blemishes that may be taking a toll on your complexion. Below is a list of dermatologist-recommended tips and tricks to reclaim your skin health from top to bottom.
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Clean Up Your Diet
We’ve all heard it before. Junk food is bad for you, and greasy foods are detrimental to skin health (2). But in case you needed more of a reason to kick the carbs, processed foods, alcohol, and even excess caffeine, dermatologists and doctors have found that these foods in particular can destroy any good bacteria’s in your gut (or digestive system). When this happens, it can create an imbalance in your gut’s microbiome which can come out in your skin in different ways but is primarily seen as oily skin. As it starts to show up in your skin, this is your bodies way of telling you that something is missing internally that needs attention.
A good rule of thumb is to eat all colors of the rainbow for every meal – sounds like a fun rule right? What this means is to add in bright colored veggies such as beets, chard, kale, broccoli, cucumber, and carrots, as these work to heal the gut. It also helps to add in a small amount of fruits such as blueberries and pomegranate as these are full of antioxidants. Remember that fruits are still full of natural sugars and carbs, so too much can hurt you more than it can help.
These foods will provide full dose of Vitamins A and C as well as Zinc – all of which play a vital role in skin repair and health. Most fruits and veggies will contain vitamins A and C, while zinc can be found in meat products, legumes, and even dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher). However, in case you would like to add a little boost to your system, you can also purchase these supplements with the approval of your health care provider.
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Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
We’ve all heard the expression that we need our ‘beauty sleep’. Well, it turns out that there is actually a lot of truth to that (3). Stress can be the number one cause of textured skin – and not just in the form of stress breakouts. Your body works to repair itself from the stresses of the day overnight, so when you are not getting the rest that you need it can actually cause premature aging of the skin.
When getting ready for bed, make sure that you limit your screen time. Exposure to screens, whether its phone, TV, or tablet, can cause a restless night’s sleep and sometimes even insomnia. Instead, allow yourself to wind down with a book, soft music, or a short guided meditation to relax your mind from the day. We also suggest using a weighted eye mask to help you fall asleep faster.
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Work It Out
Working out regularly for only 30min every day can drastically change the appearance of your skin and overall health. Eating the right foods, taking the right supplements, and staying on top of your skin care regimen can only take you so far if you are not exercising regularly. The reason this is so important is that exercise can actually lead to an increased volume of blood pumped through the vessels of the face. This has an amazing positive impact on the facial skin and can promote healing properties and even micronutrients to replenish. As an added bonus, sweating will also help clear out your pores (4)!
Working out can start simple and move into more complicated or active actions as you progress. It is recommended to start walking for 30min per day starting out. Once you have mastered that, you can move to a slow job, a full job, and even some full body weight-lifting workouts with the supervision of a personal trainer. One thing you can do to spice up your walks is to add ankle weights. This slight added resistance will help you build muscle and sweat more for that healthy skin and overall improved quality of life.
Let’s Talk Topical
Now that we have taken a good look on the inside, it’s time to pair that with topical solutions to help you achieve your ultimate glow! While each skin texture will come down to a specific problem that needs addressed, these are some of our favorite solutions no matter what your skin texture is to help you replenish your skin and restore that dewy radiance.
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Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!
Again, for the people in the back, exfoliate (5)! This one is going to be key no matter what your skin texture is. Skin texture, majority of the time, is cause by dead skin cell build up or clogged pores. Sloughing away these dirt’s, bacteria’s, and skin cell buildup twice a week can help restore a nice glow to your skin and allow your other products and treatments to absorb much more effectively. If you are unsure of what to look for in an exfoliator, we recommend starting with the best on the market, the KYPRIS Deep Forest Clay Detoxifying Mask + Exfoliant.
This product is top of the line for a reason – it’s incredibly powerful, yet gentle, and works to brighten and smooth your uneven skin. It uses all-natural ingredients such as oceanic salt, medicinal trees, roots, leaves, and flowers, as well as algae and other deep forest ingredients for the ultimate beauty concoction. It is also vegan, gluten-free, and safe for allergies and sensitive skin types.
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Micro-needle Derma Roller
Micro-needling can be an excellent way to restore your skin health, prolong dreaded wrinkles, and smooth out your skin texture (6). Using a derma roller can also help your serums and skin products absorb up to 500% more than it would regularly! With this huge added benefit, it’s important to stay on top of derma rolling once a week for maximum results. We recommend using Linduray SkinCare Derma Roller
Not only is Linduray the best available micro needle on the market, but their package also includes a topical Vitamin C serum and 3 eBooks dedicated to teaching you how to use and care for your derma roller for glowing skin. It is completely painless (it feels like exfoliating), is easy to use, and works incredibly well in restoring your skins radiance. They also have a 30-day money back guarantee if you do not see results within the first month.
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Always Wear Sunscreen
This may seem like an obvious one, and maybe one that is already worked into your skin care regimen (7). But if it is not, we highly recommend adding sunscreen into your skin care routine. With summer right around the corner, sun exposure can play a big role in uneven skin and skin textures. While you may not notice any immediate results, sun exposure can break down your skin’s elasticity over time and cause wrinkles and skin aging earlier on. Aside from that, it can also cause peeling, dry skin, and burnt skin so protecting your skin should be at the utmost top of your list. We recommend Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen.
Tatcha is one of our favorite brands for so many reasons. They use highly effective natural ingredients including Japanese wild rose, antioxidants, loquat leaf extract, and many other herbal ingredients that tighten the skin, prolong the aging process, and give you a good protection from the sun with SPF 35. Because it is non-oily, it can even be used as a primer for makeup or foundation without leaving a chalky finish.
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A good blog! I will bookmark a few of these.. Fina Kerwinn Thorman
Thank you Fina! I am glad that you enjoy it.