If your skin looks pink or feels tender after you exfoliate, use a gentler exfoliant or exfoliate less often. Always put on moisturizer after you exfoliate, since it can strip away the oils in the top layer of your skin.
Brush gently on sensitive areas like your inner thighs, stomach, and neck—and don’t use your dry brush on your face. Dry brushing can leave your skin looking smooth and healthy because it polishes away dead skin and boosts your circulation. Also, it might be more gentle than other exfoliants because you do it while your skin is dry. If you have sensitive skin, you can get a similar effect by gently scrubbing your skin with a dry washcloth before you get into the shower.
Also, avoid using super-hot water—lukewarm water is gentler on your skin. [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Avoid using harsh scrubbers like loofahs and pumice stones on your skin—exfoliating too vigorously or too often can make your skin rougher over time.
Don’t use soap to shave—this will dry out your skin, which could leave it feeling rough. Always use a sharp razor to ensure you get a close shave. Also, some people find they get smoother results when they use a razor with multiple blades. If you don’t want to shave, you could try waxing, sugaring, or using a depilatory cream instead.
Normal skin: Use a lightweight moisturizer that doesn’t have a greasy feel. [9] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Dry skin: Use an oil-based product. Good ingredients include lactic acid and urea. Rough, cracked skin: Look for an ointment made of petroleum jelly. Oily skin: Try a water-based, oil-free moisturizer. Sensitive skin: Opt for a hypoallergenic or fragrance-free product. Aging skin: Use a topical retinoid on your face to increase your skin’s turnover of new cells. [10] X Research source You can also find body lotions that contain retinol for all-over rejuvenation.
Applying lotion to damp skin helps trap moisture, leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth. If you have really dry skin, you might need to put on moisturizer 2-3 times throughout the day instead of just once. For instance, you might moisturize when you wake up, after your shower, and before you go to bed.
Sheet masks are especially great at getting moisture into your skin, but cream masks can be a good option as well—especially if you’re trying to treat a specific skin concern like rosacea or acne. You can even make your own face mask out of ingredients like avocado, banana, pumpkin, or oatmeal.
Follow up with a facial moisturizer for your skin type. Preventing acne is a big step toward getting soft skin, since breakouts and scars can make your skin bumpy and rough.
If you’ll be out in the sun, cover your whole body in about 1 fl oz (30 ml) of sunscreen—enough to fill a shot glass. On normal days, use about 1⁄4 tsp (1. 2 ml) to cover your face. [18] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
Omega-3s—these are essential for having soft skin. The best source is in fish like salmon and herring, but you can also get it from walnuts, flaxseed oil, or edamame. Vitamins and antioxidants—these keep your skin looking glowy and youthful. Eat a variety of fruits and veggies to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need!
By some calculations, men should be getting 13 cups (3,100 ml) of water a day, and women should be getting 9 cups (2,100 ml). [20] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Fatty alcohols like cetearyl, stearyl, and cetyl are not drying, so they’re fine if you spot them in the ingredient list.
Eczema, psoriasis, and keratosis pilaris are all examples of skin problems that a dermatologist may be able to treat. Your dermatologist might also recommend procedures like microdermabrasion or laser resurfacing to help you get soft, smooth skin.
