The Secret to Silky & Glowy Skin
How to achieve silky, supple; glowy skin all year round without the greasy feeling!
Who wouldn’t want to look like a glazed donut all the time? Yes you could bathe yourself in Fenty Glow (which is great btw) everyday but what a messy (and expensive!!) job. Silky, glowy skin really is the bodycare goal but without the right facts and guides, it can be easy to just look and feel like an oily slip and slide. It may sound as simple as shower and chuck on some lotion, but its a little bit more intricate; an art if you will…and now you have all the secrets.
Shower
Like many others, my day usually begins with the live Spotify concert I put on in the shower for myself and my neighbours *obviously* listening through the walls. The steam is my smoke machine, and the shower head my microphone, as I sing “I want you around” by Snoh Aalegra, for the 4th time that week. Whilst I’m sure they are all thoroughly entertained, that hot water beating down on our skin is doing nothing by drying it out. I know the heat feels great, especially in the winter mornings, but this is one reason why you’re not getting the silky skin you’re looking for. The high temperatures can be very drying; making it dull and lacklustre. As devastating as it is, switching to a temperature just above lukewarm is the best thing to do. Yes it won’t feel like a summer in Mykonos, but your skin will thank you for it!Keeping on shower care, the products you use are also very important. Using a shower gel or body wash that focuses on moisturising is essential, because it helps prevent your skin from drying out in the shower, by locking in moisture from the water and steam. Look for products that contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid and lactic acid, but stay away from those that heavily promote fragrance as the alcohol levels are typically quite high, and will dry out your skin. Recommended Body Wash:
Body Shop Almond Milk Shower Cream
Naturium Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is a key factor to getting supple skin, as you’re shredding away all of the dead dry skin; leaving you with a smooth new layer. I find exfoliating tools such as gloves and brushes to be the best (especially dry brushing omg!!), but chemical exfoliants in the form of AHA’s, BHA’s and Glycolic Acid are great also! Scrubs work fine, but I often just feel like a bag of crumbs after lol. Whatever version you choose, ensure you’re not exfoliating too often because you’ll damage your skin barrier. Dermatologists recommend exfoliating twice a week, especially when using physical scrubs; that’s honestly best to ensure your skin doesn’t become irritated or dry. The keyyyyy to this that people very often forget is looking after the new skin. Since this is a new layer, it’s sensitive so refrain from using harsh products, and ensure you’re moisturising extra. Body oils after you exfoliate is a game changer, as they deeply penetrate every layer of your skin. Recommended Exfoliator:
Moisturise
Moisturising everyday is crucialllll!! Not just to feel silky, but it’s majorly beneficial to the health of your skin! It prevents dryness, soothes irritation, slows down and reduces signs of ageing. For those who suffer from body acne, moisturising daily also prevents this as your body is no longer compensating with an overproduction of Sebum. There are lotsssss of different forms of moisturising such as: oils, lotions, butters and balms; the difference being the way they penetrate your skin and their certain uses. For the glowy, silky skin you’re looking for, Body Butters are the best option! Body butters are the real secret to silky glowy skin. They’re typically based with ingredients like: Shea or Cocoa butter, which are key moisturising properties, but also make it super thick. Body Butters also include various oils which are heavily penetrative, and add the glow you need. It’s the best of both worlds as it simultaneously provides a deeply nourishing formula and seals it in to last. I often add some extra body oil to my routine, especially in the winter just for some more moisture. Again, this adds a lovely glow but dosen’t make me feel oily or sticky. Like shower products, stay away from moisturisers that heavily promote fragrance as this will reverse everything you’ve worked for, and be sure to leave enough time between moisturising and dressing up for all the products to soak into your skin and not your clothes!Recommended Body Butters & Body Oils:
Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Body Cream
Fenty Skin Whipped Oil Body Cream
Caudalie Soleil des Vignes Oil
Vaseline Intensive Cocoa Body Oil
Aveeno Skin Relief Body Oil Spray
You honestly don’t need anything fancy for body oils. You can get a good branded one but organic Coconut oil, Almond oil, Jojoba oil work just as well; maybe even better because they’re all natural!SPF
Sun and UV protection isn’t just for your face lovelies!! Your body needs it too and this will help KEEP your skin smooth much longer, because you’re less at risk of damage, and preventing a leathery, scaly texture caused by high sun and UV exposure. Like face SPF, you’re also reducing signs of aging and slowing down the process. And yes you even need SPF in winter! I know it seems easier and faster but please DO NOT mix your moisturiser and SPF. Trust me, I get it; your arms are probably tired but mixing them actually dilutes the level of protection. To save time and to be honest my energy, I use a spray on sunscreen (always SPF 50!). Recommended Sunscreen:
Bondi Sands Sunscreen Aerosol Mist
Bondi Sands Sunscreen Lotion Spray
Diet
Achieving soft skin stems far beyond what you do. Like most, the things you consume play a major role too. It may be obvious to some, but drinking water really does more than you know. It improves your skin’s elasticity and reduces signs of dryness and roughness, as your body is thoroughly hydrated; resulting in smoother skin. The food you eat also helps, as they improve your skin barrier. Aim to eat antioxidant rich foods, such as greens, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, and fatty fish, such as salmon.
The key to silky skin clearly relies on tackling dryness and dehydration, both external and internal. Not only is this beneficial for achieving the glowy appearance you’re looking for, but it aids in overall skin health and general health also. Look after your skin and be the glazed donuts you were always destined to be!
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