How to get seriously smooth skin

What have you been doing all summer? Swimming, picnicing, outdoor cinema-ing, spending endless days at the beach?

Whatever your memories are from sunny days gone by, it’s unlikely any of them include time spent nourishing and caring for your skin.

Even if you’re protesting that you used sunscreen every day (props to you), it unfortunately doesn’t guarantee that your skin escaped the season without any damage. So now that summer has come to an end, it’s time to reboot your body routine and begin Operation Smooth Skin.

#1 Exfoliate

Dead skin cells are only going to hinder all of the goodness from any lotions and potiosn you apply, so get scrubbing. For easy everyday exfoliation, pop on a glove like Manicare Exfoliating Glove to focus on your legs, arms and chest, focusing on particularly extra dry areas like your elbows and knees. It’s a good idea to do your back every once in a while, too, so if you don’t have a partner to help scrub those hard-to-reach places, The Body Shop Cactus Brush will make it a lot easier.

#2 Get oily

If you haven’t tried body oil yet, you’re missing a trick. If you’re hesitant because you think the oil will sit on top of your skin and leave it feeling heavy or sticky, worry no more. Body oils have been formulated to absorb quickly into your skin, leaving only silky smoothness. If you’re worried about applying too much oil at once, look for oils with a pump applicator like Thursday Plantation Macadamia Oil. The pump helps make it easier to dispense only a small amount that you can spread over your body as needed. Plus, when you apply it little-by-little, it absorbs even quicker. And besides being great for hydrating the body, the smell of body oils are absolutely divine and can even have mood improving benefits (think lavender for relaxation and citrus to energise).

#3 Use the right body wash

Some body washes contain harsh cleansers that can strip the natural moisture of the skin, leaving it dry, tight and uncomfortable. Look for body washes that contain hydrating and nourishing ingredients like Sukin Botanical Body Wash, which uses avocado, jojoba and rosehip oil to soothe and moisturise the skin as it cleanses.

#4 Dry body brushing

If your skin is looking a little on the dull side (like it’s missing that radiant glow from earlier in the summer season), dry body brushing could be the answer. The cellulite-fighting technique helps to stimulate blood flow for glowing skin that’s also incredibly smooth and soft. Find out how exactly to dry body brush here. 

#5 Love your lotion

The main reason many of us don’t moisturise as often as we should, is because we’re lazy. We just can’t be bothered pulling out the lotion, putting it on and rubbing it in. Finding a lotion that smells fantastic, feels luxurious and looks pretty in your bathroom will change all of this. If you love the product you’re using, you’ll look forward to using it every time you get out of the shower. bh recommends:  L’OCCITANE Pivoine Flora Beauty Milk, MOR Apothecary Emporium Hand & Body Lotion in Snow Gardenia and Crabtree & Evelyn Rose Body Lotion.

#6 Different products for different areas

While the moisturisers above are great for the majority of your body, areas like your feet, hands and elbows may need different products for smoother results. Feet in particular tend to be a lot drier and more rough, so exfoliating with your regular loofa might not cut it. Try using a pumice stone like Bio Sculpture Pumice Stone to give your heels a good scrub. For your hands, which get washed numerous times throughout the day, keep a hand cream like Avene Cold Cream Hand Cream in your handbag so you can keep them hydrated throughout the day. Any residue can then be applied to your elbows which just can’t seem to get enough moisture.

#7 Dry gently

Would you ever dry a baby after a bath by vigorously rubbing them up and down with a towel? Well, then how do you expect to have baby-soft skin? You may want to be dry as soon as possible, but all of that rough rubbing is only going to aggravate your skin. Instead of rubbing, pat your skin down with your towel. And don’t worry if you’re still a little damp, because this will actually help your moisturise to absorb better.

Have you tried any of the above tips? How do you like to keep your skin as smooth as possible?

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