Back-to-Basics Beauty Tips and Tricks

How to Smooth Rough Skin

1. Add a cup of baking soda to a warm bath and soak in it for 10 minutes. Skin can get rough and dry, especially in places like the heels and elbows, where the keratin cells can build up in the horny outer layer, says Vermen Verallo-Rowell, a dermatologist in Kennebunkport, Maine. “Soda helps slough off the thickened keratin and allows water to penetrate and hydrate the deeper layers of skin cells,” she says.
2. After your bath, apply petroleum jelly to rough spots while your skin is still damp, then slip into cotton clothing to further lock in moisture. Wear it overnight if possible.
3. When the problem has cleared, include a daily moisturizer with an exfoliating alpha hydroxy acid (such as Eucerin Professional Repair Extremely Dry Skin Lotion, $8 at drugstores) in your regimen to improve your skin’s suppleness and appearance.

Extra credit: Consider applying virgin coconut oil (sold at health-food stores) along with the petroleum jelly. It contains fatty acids that protect the skin’s barrier function.

How to Layer Skin-Care Products

1. Apply in order of consistency, lightest to heaviest, says Peter Thomas Roth, of the eponymous skin-care line. First eye cream and serum, if you use them.
2. Next comes moisturizer.
3. Finally, sunscreen, which you need if your moisturizer doesn’t contain at least SPF 15.

Extra credit: In a pinch, you can use your eye cream as face cream. Your eye skin tends to be the most sensitive on your face, so if you can use a product there, you should be able to use it anywhere.