How to Get Smooth Skin that Glows (New Video!)

Happy Monday, guys!

How was your weekend? Did you eat any good Superbowl snacks?

We had a pretty low-key couple of days! (I didn’t mind though, it was very needed!) We did have some friends over for the Superbowl though, which was so much fun!

Today I’m super excited to dive into a very popular topic (and one that I think a LOT of us struggle with this time of year) and along with the post is a VIDEO! You know I’m trying to get more into video this year, and this is definitely the most in-depth video I’ve ever done–I’d love to hear your thoughts!

The one thing that plagues me so often (especially during the winter months) is dull, dry, and uneven skin! I have true combination skin–which means that I’m lucky enough to struggle with both oily areas AND dry, rough patches on my face at the same time. (Ding ding ding! Talk about a genetic jackpot!)

When my skin goes through these spurts, not only does make me self-conscious without makeup on, but it makes a great makeup application pretty much impossible, too! Lose lose, you know? Womp womp.

If you struggle with this too, don’t worry, you’re not alone–this is one of the most common skincare issues that a lot of women face! In today’s post, I’m going to share my tips on avoiding dull, rough skin, blackheads, and troublesome pores, and how to transform it into the baby soft, smooth, glowing skin we all want! (Plus, I’m sharing my favorite new skincare product find with you, too!)

First thing’s first…

What affects skin texture? 

The most common offenders here are simple–buildup of dead skin, and a lack of hydration.

Luckily, these two are super easy to fix! Like I said, I’ve experimented a lot over the years, and these five tips have worked really well for me personally. Read on for how to get super soft skin and achieve that poreless, glowing complexion everyone covets so highly!

My smooth and soft skin tips:

#1: Don’t over wash your face:

I think a big mistake that people often make with skincare–much like they do with haircare–is over washing! You really don’t need to wash your face in the morning, and you certainly don’t need to be washing with anything harsh! 

Avoid foaming cleansers, and go for a super mild face wash, or one that is oil-based, for extra moisturizing benefits! (My go-to for years has been this one whenever my skin has needed extra gentle TLC, and it’s actually a drugstore brand!) 

Tip: check the ingredients list on your face wash–if you see “Sodium Lauryl Sulfate” (SLS) or “Sodium Laureth Sulfate” (SLES), steer clear. Know what else uses this as the main ingredient? Laundry detergent. Yikes! Would you wash your face with laundry detergent? It’s the most commonly used ingredient in most shampoos and is present in most mainstream face washes–it’s what causes the foaming! (Side note: For more on avoiding sulfates and damaging shampoos, head over to my post, “What’s lurking in your shampoo?”) 

Also, as tempting as this is, especially in the freezing winter months, it’s imperative to avoid using super hot water. Lukewarm water is best, because hot water strips away moisture, which in turn can cause roughness and flaking! (AKA definitely the opposite of the soft, glowing skin you want!)

#2: Invest in a deep cleaning tool that exfoliates, removes makeup, and targets blackheads and pores:

I really like electric sonic cleansers because they just get your face so much cleaner! I recently got the opportunity to test out this Philips VisaPure Advanced cleanser and I was blown away by how much better it was than its competitors! If you’re looking for one thing that is going to up your skincare game, it’s this! It’s the first 3-in-1 facial cleansing device of its kind, and it targets all kinds of issues. What’s also great about it is that they have a 30 day moneyback guarantee, which always makes me feel better about trying out a new product! 

Here’s what I love most about it:

Removes makeup 10 times better than hands: No matter how thoroughly I wash my face with my hands, I still end up with makeup on my white towels (ugh! I know every woman knows this feeling! ?) when I used this for the first time, my towel was PERFECTLY white after. I was sold just on its ability to remove makeup alone. 

Exfoliates: It’s gentle, but really great at exfoliating (it also has two speeds!) and removing dull, dead skin–which makes your serums and oils absorb even better, and ensures your makeup goes on super smooth! This definitely is the key to solving my whole “makeup peeling off your face issue” that happens to me in the winter ?

Three attachments for different needs: The standard brush attachment is perfect for washing your face and targeting larger areas, like your cheeks and forehead. The smaller attachment has teeny-tiny bristles (they’re seriously SO TINY, you can see why they’re so effective!) to banish clogged pores and blackheads on your nose and chin, helping smooth your skin texture, and reduce pore size! It also has a massaging attachment, which helps stimulate circulation, lymphatic drainage and in turn, improve collagen production, which gives you a healthy glow and prevents fine lines–hooray anti-aging!

#3: Make skin hydration your top priority: 

Water water water. You’ve heard me say it once and I’ll say it a million times! To determine how much water you need to be drinking in a given day, take your body weight and divide it in half–that’s how many ounces you should be drinking. It’s really not as hard to do as you think if you get yourself a 16 oz tumbler cup and fill it up a few times throughout the day. I like adding frozen berries to make it taste more interesting, or a few Chlorophyl drops for added detoxifying benefits and tons of antioxidants! (More on that in this blog post!) 

Moisturize: Make sure you’re applying a good moisturizer twice per day–a lighter lotion during the day and a hydrating night cream. (If you’re having major skin troubles, this gentle formula is the one I always fall back on!) I also do a moisturizing mask a few times per week–this one has been my favorite for years, and it’s really affordable, too! Additionally, a serum or facial oil is also super beneficial in helping to smooth out texture and even skin tone. For more on my favorites, see this post!

Consider a humidifier: The air gets SO dry in the winter, but something that helps me if I really need some intense moisture is sleeping with a humidifier next to my bed. It really helps!

#4: Avoid breakouts 

First of all, I can’t reiterate enough the importance of both removing your makeup AND cleansing your face when it comes to avoiding breakouts. (Which is why I love my Philips cleanser so much!) But, if you’re still having a tough time with breakouts, there could be some sneaky reasons why that you may have never thought of! These might be some common offenders:

Hormones: We know this common offender all too well. Lately, I heard some surprising advice on how to beat hormonal acne: drink spearmint tea, twice per day. It’s a thing, really! Neal’s cousin told me about it–her dermatologist recommended it! I posed the question on Instagram and people swear by it! Honestly I fell off the bandwagon of drinking it when I went home to Oregon for Christmas so I still haven’t been able to report my findings, I will soon! In the meantime, it’s still worth a try!

Your pillow case: Sounds strange, but if you’re breaking out anywhere that comes into contact with your pillow case, that might be the culprit! Did you know it’s recommended to change it every 2-3 days? WHAT? Even better, invest in a silk pillow case. Additionally, it also may be your detergent. If you use a scented detergent, consider switching to something unscented and without harsh chemicals. Additionally, never use dryer sheets on your pillow cases–it’s not just the fragrance that can be irritating, but the softening agents as well! (I use wool dryer balls, which are a natural fabric softener, to help soften instead!) I also have a silk pillowcase that I like, which is easier on sensitive skin than cotton!

Your makeup brushes: Another common source of breakouts–the bacteria on your makeup brushes! Think about it–they’re coming into contact with your skin multiple times per day, jamming bacteria into your pores. No brainer, right? You can buy a brush-cleaning pad to make them easier and faster to clean, and all you need is a bit of dish soap!

#5: Remember, you are what you eat!

What you put in your body is mirrored on the outside. So if you’re not eating healthy, this could be the root of your skin issues! Focus on eating clean. Then see if you can tell an improvement in your skin. From breakouts to hydration, luminance and everything in between. Additionally, I know this sounds tough, but a lot of breakouts can be caused by food intolerances. So if you think this may be the case, avoid dairy and/or gluten for awhile. Then see if that makes a difference! You can read more about my diet and what kinds of things I eat in a given week right over here. 

What are your tips for getting smooth, glowing skin in the winter? 

In partnership with Philips VisaPure Advanced, a product I’m absolutely obsessed with and excited to help promote! 

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