Should You Care About Having Smooth Skin?

Do you want to achieve smooth skin but are afraid of being judged as frivolous? No surprise here – you’re not alone. According to research, most men hesitate to discuss their grooming practices with others for fear of being stereotyped or ridiculed. But smoothness is an indicator of skin health, and everyone should strive for it regardless of gender.

Smooth skin is often associated with youthfulness and is considered a sign of good health and vitality. Factors contributing to smooth skin include genetics, overall health, skincare habits, and a healthy diet rich in nutrients to nourish the skin from within.

Smooth skin can make you look and feel more attractive, improving your confidence and potentially causing ripple effects in your life and career. As a recent study states, a person’s perception of his attractiveness indicates well-being more than any outside ratings. This mentality can make you appear more desirable to employers and more charming to your peers.

The opposite of smooth skin is rough or uneven skin texture, which can result from dehydration, sun damage, environmental factors, and skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or psoriasis. Skin that is rough or bumpy may appear dull, dry, or flaky and may be uneven in tone.

Addressing roughness in your skin starts with identifying the causes. Consult your dermatologist to get to the root of your skin issues before using any product and follow their recommendations diligently. Here are some possible reasons behind rough skin texture.

Dry skin lacks moisture and is characterized by tightness, itching, and flakes. It usually affects people in cold or dry climates or working outdoor jobs and those with underlying health conditions and allergies. While common and often temporary, it can be uncomfortable or even painful in extreme cases, especially when the skin starts to crack and peel.

What you can do: Moisturizing products can help hydrate the skin and restore its barrier function. Use a product like Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Body + Face Bar, which cleanses and hydrates with ¼ moisturizing cream, unlike soaps that irritate and further dry the skin.

Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. While this natural process helps reveal smooth skin, it can also leave dead cells stuck on the surface. These, along with sweat, sebum, and dirt, can clog your pores and cause roughness from pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.

What you can do: The good news is you can exfoliate your skin safely at home. You can choose between two methods – mechanical and chemical. Mechanical exfoliation involves using scrubs or brushes to slough dead cells away, while chemical exfoliation uses AHAs and BHAs.

You can also exfoliate your skin daily using soap and a washcloth. Use LIFEBUOY Antibacterial Soap Total 10 with Activ Silver+ formula that kills 99.9% of germs. Rub the lather on your skin with a damp washcloth to remove dirt and dead skin.

Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can result in dry, rough, and itchy patches on the neck, face, elbows, and scalp. About 12.7% of people below 18 years old and 2% of adults have it. Stress is also a common trigger.

What you can do: OTC medications prescribed by your dermatologist can help minimize the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis. Don’t self-medicate, or you’ll risk making matters worse. Making lifestyle changes can also help alleviate symptoms. Meditate, practice yoga, and get enough sleep to reduce the impact of stress on your skin.

If you have pitted, dark spots on your skin, you may have folliculitis, a condition wherein hair follicles are inflamed from bacteria. While it has several causes, the most common is shaving.

What you can do: Chemical exfoliation can help prevent folliculitis and maintain smooth skin. However, avoid rubbing your skin if you already have it. Using harsh scrubs or rough tools on inflamed skin can damage it further. Instead, cleanse the area with a warm, damp washcloth and moisturize it with lotion.

Chicken skin looks like, well, chicken skin. It occurs when an excess of keratin plugs the hair follicles, resulting in harmless yet rough bumps that are usually the color of your skin.

What you can do: Stick to lukewarm showers and avoid hot environments and perfumed products to avoid skin irritation. Keep the area moisturized and, finally, consult your dermatologist for treatments that can help address the issue.

Having smooth skin is not an impossible (or embarrassing) goal – especially if you have uncomfortable conditions that affect your confidence and everyday life. Talk to your doctor about addressing these issues and maintaining healthy skin.