10 Tips To Get Smooth Skin

If radiant, healthy-looking skin is your goal (and why wouldn’t it be?), achieving smooth skin should be one of your top priorities. An even, smooth skin texture helps light reflect off your face, giving your complexion a natural, radiant glow. It’s also much easier to apply makeup when you don’t have rough patches, flakes, or bumps to deal with first.

If your skin is more textured than you’d like and you’re wondering how to get smoother skin (without a pricey trip to the dermatologist), keep reading. Ahead, we’ll explain how to smooth skin texture and introduce you to some of our favorite smooth skin products to add to your routine.

1. Wash Your Face Twice Daily

Washing your face twice daily is key to maintaining smooth, healthy skin. In the morning, it removes the buildup of oil and sweat that accumulates overnight, preparing your skin for makeup or a fresh start to your day. At night, cleansing helps remove dirt, makeup, and impurities that gather throughout the day. This simple habit can help prevent clogged pores, reduce breakouts, and promote a clearer complexion. To keep your skin looking and feeling its best, we recommend opting for a gentle, non-stripping cleanser, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser.

2. 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 and 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, micellar water, or double cleanse to remove all traces of impurities before getting started on the rest of your routine.

3. Moisturize Consistently

If you’re not already applying moisturizer daily on your face and body, it’s time to start. When skin lacks moisture, it will appear dull and uneven. This can also contribute to a weakened skin barrier over time. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying moisturizer right after you step out of the shower when your skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture. The L’Oréal Paris Collagen Moisture Filler Anti-Aging Moisturizer is one to try—it provides up to 48 hours of hydration but feels lightweight on the skin.

4. Always Wear SPF

No matter your skin type or lifestyle, wearing sunscreen daily is an absolute must. Sun exposure can make your skin rough and dull and contribute to concerns such as dark spots and wrinkles over time. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of at least 15 daily to help protect against sun damage. If you frequently find yourself rushing out the door in the mornings, you can combine your moisturizing and sunscreen steps into one with an SPF moisturizer. One option we love is the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer SPF 30. It’s formulated with pro-retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid and helps brighten and refine the skin while shielding it from damaging UV rays.

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

5. Use a Targeted Facial Serum

If you’re obsessed with skincare like us, you’re likely familiar with face serums. These concentrated products are designed to help address specific skin concerns, such as roughness, dullness, or unevenness. Choose from our best serums for smooth skin below.

L’Oréal Paris Revita Lift 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum

This brightening serum is formulated with top ingredients, including L-ascorbic acid (the purest form of vitamin C), vitamin E, and salicylic acid. It helps reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines, and brightens and refines the skin while visibly evening tone for a younger-looking complexion.

L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum

This serum visibly helps to fade all types of dark spots, including sun, age spots, and post-acne marks, thanks to its formula with niacinamide. The ferulic acid and amino sulfonic acid help gently exfoliate skin surface cells and brighten skin. This product is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and it is made for all skin tones.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Midnight Serum

Address multiple signs of skin aging at once with this luxurious facial serum. Formulated with a patented antioxidant recovery complex, the indulgent formula helps replenish the skin’s antioxidant reserves at night, when it’s most receptive to repair. Smooth it onto your face and neck each evening before moisturizing, and you’ll notice visibly smoother, firmer-looking skin with continued use.

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol

Target fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture with this nighttime face serum, which contains our highest concentration of pure retinol. The anti-aging formula is suitable for all skin types and can be used nightly for smoother, more youthful-looking skin over time.

Since retinol can be drying for first-time users, you’ll want to introduce it into your routine gradually. During the first week, apply two to three drops to clean, dry skin twice weekly. As your skin acclimates, you can work your way up to nightly usage.

6. Use a Night Cream

While you can use the same moisturizer at night that you use in the morning, it’s not necessary—in fact, opting for a dedicated night cream is a great way to give your skin extra TLC while you sleep. One of our favorites in this category is the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Midnight Cream, which has a rich, creamy texture that melts into the skin, delivering up to 24 hours of hydration without a greasy feel. With regular use, you’ll enjoy smoother, firmer-looking skin with a noticeable reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Alternatively, try a retinol cream. The L’Oréal Paris Revita Lift Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol + Niacinamide is an excellent pick for all skin types, as it delivers deep hydration while helping to smooth the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and unevenness. Keep in mind that you should only use one retinol product at a time, so we’d recommend choosing between this and the retinol serum mentioned above.

7. Use a Smoothing Face Mask

While you can’t get perfectly-smooth skin overnight, capping off your evening routine with an overnight mask can certainly help. Overnight masks deliver deep hydration and help to plump the skin to promote a smoother, firmer appearance. Some, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Anti-Aging Overnight Mask, also help address skin concerns such as dullness and wrinkles. You can use this mask alone or layer it over your moisturizer to help seal in hydration and make the most of your beauty sleep.

8. Reach For an Eye Cream

One of the most crucial things to have present when learning how to smooth skin is paying close attention to your eye area. The skin around your eyes is delicate and more prone to presenting visible signs of aging. That’s why adding a nourishing eye cream to your routine to keep your under-eye area radiant and youthful is fundamental. We like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream, which is formulated with pro-retinol and centella asiatica. Smooth the rich, creamy formula around your eye area twice daily—within just four weeks, you’ll notice the skin looks smoother and firmer.

9. 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 when it comes to exfoliating your complexion—with chemical or mechanical exfoliants—and you can try either one or incorporate both methods into your skincare routine. Remember that when introducing a new product or exfoliant to your complexion, it’s essential 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.

If you’re looking for fast results, try adding the L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel to your weekly routine. It contains a blend of alpha-, beta-, and polyhydroxy acids and provides gentle yet effective exfoliation to help promote an even skin texture and tone. After one use, you’ll notice your skin appears brighter and feels softer. Keep using it (up to four nights per week), and you’ll notice a dramatic improvement in skin texture and tone.

10. Be Consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to achieving smooth, healthy-looking skin. Skincare isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about developing a routine that works for your skin and sticking to it. Using the right products consistently allows your skin to adapt and benefit from its full potential. So no matter if you prefer a streamlined routine or like to unwind with an indulgent 10-step routine, it doesn’t matter—just find what works for you and stay with it.

Next Up: How to Exfoliate Properly for Brighter, Smoother Skin

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris