Smooth, soft skin is a joy to feel and touch.
You can say goodbye to dry, rough skin and enjoy delicate skin year-round when you follow this advice from Dr. Jose Barrera
Wash regularly
As we sleep and throughout the day, our skin secretes natural oils and accumulates dust and grit. This is why it is important to gently wash your face after you wake up and before you go to sleep. By using a nurturing, pH neutral body and face wash, you keep your skin oil- and dust-free to prevent build-ups that lead to acne breakouts and other skin agitations.
Exfoliate gently
Every day, hundreds of thousands of skin cells reach the end of their natural lifespan. These dead cells remain on the surface of our skin and gradually form an undesirable layer of rough skin. Regularly exfoliating two to three times per week removes these dead cells and reveals the underlying youthful skin. Many patients enjoy the in-house results from a deeper chemical exfoliation in the form of a chemical peel.
Moisturize
Of course, to get moist skin, moisturizing is an essential step. Make moisturizing part of your routine by moisturizing after you clean your skin – this way hydration gets locked into your skin for both the days and nights.
Drink plenty of water
The human body is 60% water, and as such keeping adequately hydrated is key to achieving and maintaining soft, smooth, moist skin. Drinking a large glass of water first thing in the morning is fantastic for your energy levels, digestive system, but also for your skin. Be sure to keep up the fluids throughout the day.
Use sun protection
The sun gives us a much-coveted tan, but without proper precautions, too much sun dries out our skin and can lead to sunburn, peeling skin, and more severe medical complications such as skin cancers. Using a minimum SPF 30+ sun cream before heading outside blocks your skin from most of the suns’ harmful rays. If you plan on spending more extended periods of time outdoors, use a stronger SPF factor cream. Doing so helps maintain your skin moisture levels and protects your skin health.
Be timely with the sun
The suns’ rays are most potent when it’s highest in the sky – between 11AM and 3PM. To help keep your skin moist, avoid prolonged sun exposure during these times to prevent sunburn and dry skin.
Use nice bed sheets
We can spend 1/3rd of our lives sleeping on sheets. As such, selecting skin-friendly material for our bedsheets significantly reduces skin agitation and improves skin health. Many standard fabrics used to make bedsheets include hemp, bamboo and cotton composites. These materials absorb and retain oils and dirt from your skin, which can be detrimental to skin health if not washed often. Silk is the best material for our skin. Using a 100% cotton bed sheet is a good alternative.
Watch your diet
Foods rich in healthy fats and antioxidants help your skin maintain its softness, elasticity and structural integrity. Regularly consuming fatty fish, avocados, nuts, seeds, and colorful vegetables all contribute towards healthy, smooth skin.
Avoid irritants
Irritants can be chemical or physical. Many beauty products contain chemical irritants in the form of fragrances and preservatives, whereas physical irritants can be rough clothing, dirty bedsheets or hard towels. Look for natural beauty products with as few ingredients as possible, and use delicate materials on your skin.
Be consistent
The best way to enjoy long-term, healthy skin is being consistent with your skincare routine. Regularly following the above tips will help you avoid skin irritations and breakouts, giving you skin that is a pleasure to touch.
If you are concerned about your skin in San Antonio, TX, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Jose Barrera at 210 468 5426 or to fill out his online form to arrange your consultation today.
