One of the most common questions dermatologists often hear is, “How do I improve skin texture and complexion?”. While there is an excessive number of fads popping up that tell you how to improve skin texture and complexion, these 5 tried and true tips from experienced and board-certified dermatologists can help you get the results you’re looking for.
1) Soak up the Sun Responsibly
We all know the number one response to anyone asking how to improve skin texture and complexion is to protect your skin from the sun. It’s easy to forget though when you’re outside and get caught up hanging out with friends and family. Remembering to apply sunscreen of at least 30 SPF every hour and a half to two hours will help to keep your skin looking healthy.
Protecting your skin from the sun is an important part of your skin care routine that you should practice year-round. Even in the winter or on a warmer day when it’s cloudy out, your skin is still exposed to the sun.
Sun block is not the only way to protect your skin from the sun. You can also wear protective clothing such as sunglasses, hats, and coverups. If coverups feel too hot, a large umbrella works just as well for lounging by the pool or the lake. If you love the sun and the tan it gives you, opt for a self-tanner. You can still get that sun-kissed glow while maintaining the health of your skin.
2) Take Care of Your Body
An important part of your skin care is fueling your body correctly. Ease up on foods that are heavily processed and full of refined carbs and add in more vitamins and antioxidants. This can help lessen any skin inflammation that may be affecting your complexion. It’s also important to know if any common foods (such as dairy) don’t agree with you. For many people, food allergies can cause your skin’s texture and complexion to change.
Fueling your body isn’t the only thing to take into consideration though; you should also make sure you’re getting enough beauty sleep every night. When you’re sleeping, your body, including your skin, gets well-deserved time to recharge and recover. Seven to nine hours a night is recommended.
Last, but not least, exercising is so important for your skin. Exercise does much more than release endorphins. Exercise that leads to sweating helps remove debris from the pores. It also increases blood flow, which allows more nutrients and oxygen to reach all areas of the skin. Exercise also regulates hormones and can help reduce inflammation. It’s important to remember to wash your face and body following a workout to reduce breakouts.
3) Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Even if you have oily skin, it’s important to hydrate. The right moisturizer can help balance your body’s natural oil secretion, replenish lost moisture, and prevent rough skin and flaking. Moisturizing also helps your skin soak up all the goodness that comes from oils and serums, like vitamin c serum.
If you’re treating skin conditions in addition to improving skin texture and complexion, it’s important to find products that don’t cause flare ups. The best way to lock in the moisture is to apply moisturizer following a shower. You can then apply a face or body oil (Vaseline works well too) to help the moisturizer last throughout the night. You might have heard this referred to as slugging on social media, and it is a great way to lock in moisture.
Hydration isn’t just about applying lotion and body oils. Drinking enough water will also help improve skin texture and complexion. Water not only flushes your body of toxins, but also hydrates your cells allowing them to work most efficiently. Eight to 10 glasses a day is recommended.
4) Keep Your Skin Care Routine Consistent
What should a consistent skin care routine look like? Well, that will differ based on your skin tone, but typically this would include:
• Gentle cleanser used daily
• Toner used daily
• Moisturizer used daily
• Gentle exfoliator used twice weekly
• Facial oil used daily
• Vitamin C serum used daily
For a consistent skin care regimen to fit your skin type, you should speak with your dermatologist.
A consistent skin care routine isn’t limited to your face. Many people also deal with bacne (back acne), and a regular skin care routine can help improve skin texture and complexion all over the body. Don’t forget your chest and hands when applying product. These areas are often exposed to the sun and other external factors just as much as your face and are often forgotten when applying products.
There are so many products available for taking care of your skin that it can easily become overwhelming. Our dermatologists can recommend the best products for uneven skin texture from the Vu Skin System line to help get you started. It’s also important to wash your face twice daily. If you sweat throughout the day, wash your face and body after sweating.
5) Leave it to the Professionals
Sometimes the best treatment for improving skin texture are professional dermatology services. So, what are the best cosmetic procedures for the face? Dermatologists often recommend chemicals peels and microneedling when asked how to improve skin texture and complexion.
Chemical peels are often used to treat acne scarring, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, aging skin, and melasma. During a chemical peel, chemicals are applied to the skin that causes it to exfoliate and eventually peel off. Two types of chemical peels are performed by the dermatologists at Vujevich Dermatology: the superficial (or lunchtime) peel and the medium peel. Chemical peels are often completed in three or four sessions, each spaced a month apart, for best results. However, results will differ per person based on skin tone and the condition being treated.
Microneedling is a way to improve the texture of your skin that is minimally invasive. Vujevich Dermatology uses the Bellus Medical’s Skin Pen to create tiny holes in the skin. These “micro-injuries” stimulate your body to produce collagen in these areas, which leads to skin that looks more youthful. While there are at-home microneedling options, having this procedure completed by a trained dermatologist is the safest option and will produce longer lasting results.
If you’re still unsure on how to improve skin texture and complexion, schedule an appointment with one of our dermatologists by filling out the form below. You can reach our team at 412-429-2570 or visit our contact page to see all of our locations. You can also follow us on Facebook to see what’s new in the world of dermatology.