8 Tips On How To Get Smooth Skin

It’s easy to think that following a standard skin care routine can help you learn how to get smooth skin, but you’d be surprised to know what it takes to keep a rough complexion at bay. Yup, not just any skin care product can help you achieve smooth skin. It’s all about using the right beauty essentials that can exfoliate, refresh, and hydrate to pamper your complexion properly. If you’re ready to get the 4-1-1 on how to smooth skin, we can provide some clarity. Ahead, we’re sharing the eight best tips to help you bring a smooth complexion to life. 

SKIN SMOOTHING TIP #1: EXFOLIATE REGULARLY

There’s no denying that one of the easiest ways to achieve smooth skin is by exfoliating. Dead skin cells can accumulate on the surface of your skin and contribute to dullness, dryness, breakouts, and uneven skin texture. So, sloughing off the surface layer of your skin is key to getting smooth skin.

There are two ways to go about exfoliating your complexion—with chemical exfoliants or mechanical exfoliants—and you can choose to try either one or incorporate both methods into your skin care routine. Just remember that when introducing a new product or exfoliant to your complexion, it’s important to take a gradual approach. Some people can handle exfoliation a few times per week, while others can only handle exfoliating once a week. Pay attention to your skin to see what works for you. Here are our best smoothing facial exfoliant options—a mix of both types—so you can choose the best product for you.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Peel Pads: This offering is formulated with glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy-acid (AHA), that works to resurface and even skin tone. These pads also help to reveal a fresh-looking complexion and visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Every night, smooth the pad gently over cleansed skin, avoiding your eye area. Be sure to follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the a.m. since AHA’s can cause sun sensitivity.  

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleanser: This offering works double-duty to cleanse and exfoliate your skin. It’s formulated with glycolic and salicylic acid and helps to exfoliate dead skin cell buildup and impurities from the surface of your face. This cleanser also works to refine the appearance of enlarged pores and reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. Every morning and evening, lather the product into wet hands and gently massage onto skin in circular motions. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Don’t forget to follow up with sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Grapeseed Scrub: Face scrubs are among the most popular options for mechanical exfoliation and exfoliation in general. This gentle yet effective option is formulated specifically to help smooth rough skin and give your complexion a baby-soft, glowing finish. Dull skin is gently polished away for visibly smoother skin. Apply a small amount of the face scrub onto dry skin, being sure to use dry fingers and avoid the eye area. Wet your fingers, then massage the face scrub over your face using small circular motions. Rinse with lukewarm water. Use the scrub up to three times per week for best results.

SKIN SMOOTHING TIP #2: USE A SMOOTHING FACE MASK

Since learning how to have smooth skin is on the top of your mind, it’s only right that we put a smoothing face mask on your radar. This beauty essential helps to even out skin texture over time and gives you the perfect opportunity to pamper your complexion. That’s why we love the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Mask, which is formulated with three pure clays and yuzu lemon extract. It works to draw out the buildup of dirt, oil, and impurities on the skin and shed dead cells to resurface your complexion over time. Apply an even layer onto clean skin (avoiding your eyes and lips) and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. Use it up to three times a week for maximum smoothing results.

SKIN SMOOTHING TIP #3: DON’T FORGET TO GRAB TONER

While many people overlook toner, this skin care essential can help you on your quest to learn how to get smooth skin. Toners typically work to remove leftover facial cleanser and impurities from the face. Depending on the formula, a toner can refresh and improve the overall health of your skin. Try the L’Oréal Paris HydraFresh Toner, which is beta hydroxy acid and pro-vitamin B5, that helps gently sweep away dull, tired-looking skin and protect against moisture loss. It also works to brighten your complexion and leaves you with a soft and supple visage. Saturate a cotton pad with toner and smooth it over your face and neck.

SKIN SMOOTHING TIP #4: DON’T SKIMP ON SERUM

If you’re obsessed with skin care like us, you may be familiar with face serums. These products have potent formulas with concentrated ingredients that can help restore skin’s radiance and resilience and resurface its texture. We also love that it only takes a few seconds to apply. Have your pick of our best serums for smooth skin below.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum: If you’re working with mature skin, this offering will suit your needs. It’s formulated with LHA to stimulate surface skin cell renewal and works to firm and plump skin. This lightweight formula absorbs quickly and helps to reveal smoother and more youthful-looking skin over time. Smooth a few drops over your face and neck every morning and evening.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum: While vitamin C is known to boost radiance and neutralize free radicals, it’s definitely worth noting as a smooth skin must-have. This serum effortlessly glides onto skin to restore its radiance in one week while reducing wrinkles and helps to even skin tone and texture over time. Every morning and evening, apply a dime-sized amount onto your fingertips and smooth it over your face and neck.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol: Retinol reigns supreme as a wrinkle-fighter, but it also makes a useful addition to complement any smooth skin routine. This serum is formulated with our highest concentration of pure retinol. It works to address signs of aging, such as dullness and fine lines and wrinkles. It absorbs quickly and gives skin a smoother, brighter appearance over time.

Since this product packs a mighty punch, you’ll want to gradually introduce it into your routine. During week one, apply two to three drops to clean, dry skin twice a week. Follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the a.m. Week two, use every other night. Week three, you can bump it to nightly use.

SKIN SMOOTHING TIP #5: MOISTURIZE FROM HEAD TO TOE

If you’re not already applying moisturizer every day—on your face and your body—it’s time to start. When skin lacks moisture, not only will it appear dull and uneven, it can also contribute to a weakened skin barrier over time. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying moisturizer onto your skin right after you step out of the shower, when it’s still slightly damp to lock in moisture.

SKIN SMOOTHING TIP #6: REACH FOR AN EYE CREAM

One of the most crucial things to keep in mind when learning how to smooth skin is paying close attention to your eye area. The skin around your eyes is delicate, and it is more prone to show visible signs of aging. That’s why it’s important to add a nourishing eye cream to your face care routine to keep your under-eye area looking radiant and youthful. We like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Rosy Tone Anti-Aging Eye Brightener Paraben Free, which is formulated with imperial peony and works to smooth and brighten the eye area.

SKIN SMOOTHING TIP #7: REMOVE MAKEUP BEFORE BED

Removing your makeup before you get beauty sleep is non-negotiable. When you allow your makeup to stay put, it can mix with the dirt and oils on the skin's surface, which can lead to clogged pores. In turn, clogged pores can create blemishes that will get in the way of a smooth complexion. Use a makeup remover, like the L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes, which are ultra-soft wipes that gently remove all traces of makeup and dissolve dirt and oil without drying out your skin. To use, gently wipe your face and eye area. Once complete, reseal the pack to keep the remaining cloths from drying out.

SKIN SMOOTHING TIP #8: ALWAYS WEAR SPF

No matter what skin type or beauty goals you’re after, wearing sunscreen every day is an absolute must. When your skin is exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time without protection, it can cause skin damage that leads to visible signs of aging like dark spots and wrinkles. In turn, this can make your skin’s surface feel less smooth over time.

Per the Food & Drug Administration, you should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value of 15 or higher regularly and as directed to prevent sun damage. You can also opt for a moisturizer formulated with SPF, like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30. This offering is formulated with SPF 30, Pro-Retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. It helps to reduce wrinkles, firm, and brighten skin in one week. After use, skin feels smooth, soft, and refreshed. Smooth it over your face and neck every morning.

Of course, wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen shouldn’t be your only line of defense. The FDA recommends taking other sun protection measures such as limit your time in the sun (especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., which are the sun’s peak hours), seek shade when you’re outside, and cover up exposed areas in long sleeves, pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Next up: Now that you know how to get smooth skin, it’s the perfect time to focus on keeping dull skin at bay. Read our article, 9 Skin Care Products For Dull Skin to get started.