Skin Texture 101: Your Guide to Getting Your Skin Just the Way You Want

A smooth, clear, complexion may be a matter of good genes for some people, but most of us need to work just a bit harder to achieve a good skin texture.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the ways you can achieve gorgeously smooth skin without too much effort or expense.

​Good Skin Texture Begins with Your Diet

​​What you put into your body determines what the outside of your body will look like and this is true for your skin too.

In fact, the condition of your skin, hair, and nails, can often be a good indication of what’s going on inside your body.

Here are some of the foods that can have a huge effect on how your skin looks and feels.

Avocados

You’ve probably heard several contradictive facts about avocados. Some of the confusion stems from our knowledge that avocados are high in fat. However, they’re high in unsaturated fat which is not the kind that will go straight to your hips.

These unsaturated fats help keep your skin supple and elastic and may also protect you from sun damage.  It’s those ultraviolet rays from the sun that are the main cause of the wrinkles and fine lines that come with ageing.

Avocados are full of vitamins E and C. These nutrients work particularly well together and increase collagen production. Collagen is the protein that helps keep your skin supple.

Fish Fats

Again, not the kind of fat that will make you gain weight. Fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain function as well as good skin health. They help keep your skin moisturized caused by acne. It’s believed they can also make your skin less sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Fatty fish are an abundant source of vitamin E which also helps to reduce inflammation in the skin and protect it from free radicals. The protein in fish keeps your skin healthy and the zinc may help with conditions such as lupus and psoriasis. Zinc is also good for healing wounds.

Sweet Potatoes

It’s always a relief to know that there’s goodness in potatoes. Sweet potatoes contain Beta-carotene which converts to vitamin A in your body. It can also be found in carrots, spinach, and other dark green or orange vegetables.

Beta-carotene is classed as a carotenoid, which works as a natural unblock in the body. They help to reduce wrinkles and can prevent sunburn. There’s some evidence to suggest that they also give your skin a healthy, slightly orange glow.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains lutein which is also a carotenoid. It protects the skin from sun damage and can reduce wrinkles. It’s also full of zinc and vitamins A and C.

But, that’s not all. Broccoli also contains sulforaphane. This compound is used to fight cancer cells by neutralizing free radicals and kick-starting other protective processes within your body. There’s also evidence to suggest it helps to keep your collagen levels up.

Red and Yellow Peppers

Bell peppers are one of the best sources of vitamin C and beta-carotene. Both nutrients are needed to create collagen which keeps the skin supple and tight. Vitamin C has been found to reduce wrinkles and lines in the skin, as we get older.

Walnuts

Walnuts contain fatty acids that need to be consumed as your body doesn’t create them naturally. They have more omega-3 and omega-6 acids than any other nuts. They’re a good source of zinc for healing wounds and fighting inflammation. If that wasn’t enough, they also contain selenium, protein, and vitamins E and C.

Dark Chocolate

It’s the high amount of cocoa that’s found in dark chocolate that makes it one of the best sources of anti-oxidants. It helps moisturize and thicken your skin while protecting it from ultraviolet rays.

Before you start stocking up on chocolate, you need to keep in mind that it must have at least 70% cocoa in it to be effective. You also want to make sure it’s low in sugar.

​Sunflower Seeds

Like most seeds and nuts, sunflower seeds contain selenium, protein and zinc. They’re also full of linoleic acid which is an omega-6 fatty acid that we know helps to create thick and well-moisturized skin. On top of all that, these seeds are a great source of vitamin E.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the best foods you can eat for so many different reasons. They’re high in all the major carotenoids, including lycopene, lutein and beta-carotene. Their restorative properties are increased if eaten with fat and they’re overflowing with vitamin C.

Green Tea        

Green tea has become more well-known recently as scientists have discovered its healing properties. Green tea contains catechins, which protect your skin from sun damage. The tea must be drunk without milk though, as this dilutes the power of the catechins.

What the Experts Suggest for Maintaining Healthy Skin Texture

There’s no way to completely avoid the physical signs of ageing but there are ways to slow down the process.

The effects of pollutants in the air, hormones, and lifestyle choices on your skin may not seem to be a problem when you’re in your twenties.

However, by the time you reach your fifties, you may very well regret all those lazy days you spent in the sun.

We’ve discussed the foods that can improve your skin texture and now we’ll take a closer look at  dermatologically approved methods.

Lifestyle Changes

Getting enough sleep can have a huge positive effect on your physical and mental health. It’s recommended that we get at least seven, preferably eight, hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. This can be difficult to achieve though.

There are ways you can increase your likelihood of getting a good night’s sleep. Participating in regular exercise, reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, and turning off all electrical appliances are all easy ways to make improvements.

​Cleanse and Moisturize Properly

​You probably know you should cleanse, tone, and moisturize your face twice a day. However, you may not know that, often, all that cleansing can lead to a build-up of oil on the skin.

Exfoliation is an effective way of dealing with this buildup but make sure you do it only once or twice a week. It also helps improve your circulation and increase the production of collagen in your body.

It’s important that you don’t forget to look after the skin on your lips, particularly if you periodically suffer from dry or cracked lips.

A gentle brush with a toothbrush is all that’s needed, or a gentle scrub designed specifically for lips. And never go anywhere without your lip balm.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the need to look after the skin texture on your hands and feet. Invest in a good antioxidant topical cream or lotion and apply daily. Check the ingredients first and make sure they contain shea butter, coconut oil, and plenty of vitamins A, C, and E.

​Professional Treatments

If all else fails, or if you feel you need a little extra help, there are some skin-resurfacing treatments that you might want to consider.

Laser skin resurfacing is a procedure that uses concentrated laser beams to minimize wrinkles and fine lines. It can also be effective in removing redness, brown spots, acne and scars.

Laser skin resurfacing also promotes collagen creation in your skin and can help to remove unwanted hair.

Some aftercare is needed with this procedure and you should use a lanolin-based cream or lotion for at least five days after the treatment. After that, make sure you use a light moisturizer for two weeks and then switch to one with SPF30 or even higher.

A chemical peel treatment can tighten and tone your skin while brightening it at the same time. It will help to remove blemishes, age spots, wrinkles and mild scarring.

During treatment, a solution will be applied to your skin and then washed off after a few minutes. Your skin will peel for the next three to five days.

Moisturizing is an important part of this process and must be used at least twice a day to keep your skin hydrated.

Dermabrasion is a strong resurfacing technique that removes the top layers of your skin and encourages new cell growth. This gives your skin a younger appearance. Microdermabrasion is a milder technique than dermabrasion and involves exfoliation with a fine-tipped instrument.

Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion need to be followed up with a copper-based moisturizer to heal your skin quickly and promote its recovery.

Microdermabrasion creams are also effective if they contain vitamins A, C, and E.

Beauty Tips for Improving Your Skin Texture

​Unfortunately, even if you’re eating the right foods, cleansing, and moisturizing properly, you may still have the occasional breakouts.

Often, these can be blamed on hormones or even allergic reactions to substances in the air that we’re not even aware of.

In this section, we’ll discuss some of the other ways you can keep these breakouts to a minimum.

​Clean Your Brushes

This is a step often neglected but is essential for maintaining the health and texture of your skin.

Your loose powder brushes should be cleaned every two weeks with a small amount of shampoo or facial cleanser in warm water. Your foundation brushes should be cleaned once a week.

All brushes should be laid out flat and left to dry naturally.

​Use Sunscreen

​We’ve mentioned that sun protection factors (SPF) are important in foundations and creams but this step is so important it needs a section of its own.

The sun is one of, if not the, most damaging contributors to skin blemishes and wrinkles that we have.

Ultraviolet rays need to be avoided as much as possible and using a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF30 is a good rule of thumb.

​Use a Collagen-boosting Serum

​It may seem like just another step you need to add to your cleansing routine, but you will be surprised at the difference it will make.

A good serum contains pentapeptides and antioxidants. Apply a small amount daily to freshly cleansed skin and follow up with a sunscreen and/or moisturizer.

​Ditch Dairy Food

​Although you need protein in your body, you can get this from other foods. Even organic dairy food can give you problems as they contain cow hormones that stimulate your oil glands. When oil clogs up your pores, you get acne.

​Clean Your Phone

​What does a clean phone have to do with skin texture? Your phone touches your face often during the day, but the big problem is the other surfaces that it touches.

Phones are constantly picking up bacteria and germs which are then transferred to your face. Keeping your screen as clean as possible will help to reduce this transfer.

​Start Using Retinol

Retinol helps to boost collagen production and may even stop certain types of cancer growth. It’s anti-inflammatory and reduces acne and wrinkles. It can be found in many moisturizers and most anti-ageing products.

​Never Go to Bed with Your Makeup On

​Your mother probably told you this repeatedly but that doesn’t make it any let true. Even the gentlest makeup will clog your pores if left on your face overnight. Moisturize before bed with a hydrating night cream.

​Have Your Skin Drink Soy Milk

​Pour some soy milk into a small bowl and dip two cotton balls into the milk. Hold the cotton balls over your eyes and any other red areas of your face for at least five minutes.

The soy in the milk helps hydrate your skin and add protein. Because the milk is cold, it shrinks any swelling on your face or redness in your eyes.

​Avoid Hot Water

​If you’ve ever indulged in a hot, steamy, shower you’ll know that you come out of it with a bright red face. The older you are, the longer this redness takes to fade. The steam from the hot water clogs up your pores and strips your skin of essential oils.

​Keep Waxing and Tweezing to a Minimum

​For many women, facial hair removal is a fact of life, but it can be quite damaging to the skin. Make sure that you keep your moisturizer handy, so you can apply it as soon as the hair is removed.

Also, make sure that your moisturizer contains anti-inflammatory ingredients. Prepping your skin with an anti-bacterial wash will help as well.

​Wear Your Sunglasses

The current fashion for oversized sunglasses helps protect the delicate skin around your eyes from the sun. It’s not only the ultraviolet rays you have to worry about either. Frequent squinting causes wrinkles.

​Keep a Water Bottle Handy

​Water is nature’s best detoxification system. Drinking an average of 8 glasses of water each day will help to wash toxins from your body. It also transports essential nutrients around the body which help to keep your skin supple and soft.

​Keep Your Hands Away from Your Face

​We’re often unaware of how many times a day we touch our face with our hands. Just as our phones can transfer bacteria, so can our hands. Squeezing pimples or picking at your skin is also a bad idea as it can cause permanent scarring.

​Make a Berry Face Mask

Berries, especially raspberries, are loaded with antioxidants such as ellagic acid which protect the collagen in your skin. Put some raspberries in a small bowl, add a spoonful of honey and mash them together. Apply to your face and leave for 20 minutes before rinsing.  Pat your skin dry and moisturize.

​Some Final Thoughts About Maintaining Skin Texture

There’s no definitive age when you should start looking after your skin.

That being said, the younger you are when you begin a regime, the older you will be before signs of ageing or sun damage begin to show.

However, you’re never too young to start thinking about the skin texture you want when you’re a senior.

Keywords: skin texture