Natural ways to improve skin texture

There are many different ways to improve skin texture and some don’t need to cost a fortune. In fact, many of the steps you can take yourself are entirely natural, and some will even have positive side-effects in terms of your overall health too!

Stay out of the sun

We love the sun, but our skin doesn’t. Not only will exposure to the sun increase your risk of developing melanoma, but it also ages the skin. By staying out of the sun and by applying sunblock throughout the year, you will be helping to prevent wrinkles, blotchiness and unevenness, and keep your skin texture as smooth as possible for as long as possible.

Exfoliate

Regular exfoliation will help clear dead cells from your skin, revealing the healthy layers and making your skin look brighter and more even. Use a soft brush to exfoliate your body to prevent damage to healthy skin. For your face, use a product at home, or for your facial skin, treat yourself to monthly light peels in the clinic, e.g. glycolic peel, which will exfoliate and refresh the skin. If you’re unsure how often you need to exfoliate for your skin type, contact a skin care specialist for advice.

Vitamin C

Not only is Vitamin C a beneficial part of your diet, but its antioxidant properties can also help improve your skin’s texture when applied topically through a moisturising cream such as Revision Skincare Intellishade which contains multiple antioxidants, including Vitamin C (plus anti-ageing properties and an SPF45). It will help to reduce pigmentation and age spots, improving skin texture as a result.

You could also try the Byonik facial treatment which infuses your skin cells with antioxidants (rather than just coat the outside with antioxidants) which helps protect your skin from environmental factors which contribute to poor skin texture.

Cleansing

Cleansing is always good for skin texture because it removes build-up and enables the skin to absorb products and treatments.

Using a cleanser that suits your skin type is vital. Ask for help in getting the correct cleanser so you don’t exacerbate the problem in an attempt to solve it. For example, some people with acne will strip their skin by using strong astringents which in fact will cause more natural oil production. Others or someone with millia may use an oily cleanser which ends up clogging their skin.

Using an oil cleanser will clean away dirt and makeup without stripping the moisture from your skin. It may seem counterintuitive to use oil on your skin in this way, but even greasy skin can benefit if you use oils with astringent qualities, such as tea tree or peppermint. For dry skin, use shea or argan oils which will help hydrate your skin without making it feel greasy.

Cleansing is very simple. Holding a warm, damp cloth or flannel on your face for a few seconds to help soften the dead skin cells on your skin, then massage the cleansing oil onto your skin for around half a minute. Then use the cloth to wipe away the oil. There’s nothing more to it than that!

Diet

What you eat will have a huge effect on your skin texture. We all know that an unhealthy diet will result in unhealthy skin or exasperate existing conditions such as rosacea or acne, so it also stands to reason that a healthy diet will result in healthy skin. Avoid ready meals and processed food and snacks in favour of freshly prepared meals served with lots of vegetables and fruit. Bear in mind that there are certain vitamins and minerals it would be beneficial to include in your diet that will help improve skin texture:

• Omega-3 – found naturally in walnuts and fish, the fatty acids in omega-3 will help your skin stay healthy and prevent dryness. It is especially helpful for women who are menopausal or perimenopausal.
• Vitamin C – in addition, to help with the prevention of colds, making sure you have lots of Vitamin C in your diet will also benefit skin texture as the antioxidants will help repair skin damage and help in the production of collagen. In addition to oranges, foods that are naturally rich in Vitamin C include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, peppers, sweet potatoes, strawberries, and tomatoes.
• Green tea – the antioxidants in green tea will help improve your skin texture, especially if you have a red or blotchy complexion. However, be aware that green tea does contain caffeine, which may trigger flares of skin conditions such as rosacea.
• Turmeric – the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric can also help improve your skin texture. Use it as a food seasoning or take it as a supplement.

Please check with your GP if you are considering changing your diet or using supplements, especially if you are on any medications or have pre-existing conditions.

De-stress

If you’ve ever thought about joining a yoga class or exploring mindfulness techniques, now’s the time to do it, because taking as much stress out of your life as possible will also help improve skin texture. When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones such as cortisol which can make your skin oilier and more prone to spots or flare other skin conditions. There are also studies that show that stress can accelerate the physical ageing process, which may well worsen lines and wrinkles.

Air quality

If you’re a smoker, it’s time to quit! Smoky environments are really bad for the skin because the smoke leads to the release of free radicals that are the cause of ageing skin. You are also impacting your circulatory system, meaning oxygen and nutrients have a more difficult time reaching your skin.

You also need to be aware of your home’s air quality. When you’ve got the central heating on, the air will be a lot drier, and this will dry your skin. To help prevent dryness, use a humidifier, or just put a bowl of water on the windowsill – the water will evaporate into the atmosphere when it’s warmed by the sun.

Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is a vital part of your overall health as well as your skin’s health. When you’re asleep, your body will relax and make repairs, but if you can’t sleep properly, your body is more likely to release adrenaline and cortisol which not only prevents it repairing itself but also causes more problems, such as spots and acne.