"If you look at healthy skin up close, the surface appears to be regularly irregular. This means that the skin is not completely smooth like glass, but has tiny peaks around hair follicles and pores, and tiny valleys in between the peaks."
Healthy skin is smooth, with no breaks in the surface. It is warm (not hot or red) and neither dry and flaky nor moist and wrinkled. Healthy skin is a mirror of a healthy body.
Skin Colour or Tone
Healthy skin has a consistent tone all over. With unhealthy skin, it is easy to notice patches of different tones all over the face. These patches could appear as blotches of reddened or darkened color. One of the most common signs of unhealthy skin is excessive darkening around the eyes.
All healthy skin has some shine and natural glow, except for dry skin, which has little not not shine. That natural glow and shine means that sebum production is normal. A natural shine or sheen is a good sign.
“Glass skin is when your skin is at its very healthiest,” explains Alicia Yoon, founder of Peach & Lily. “In order for skin to appear poreless, luminous, and translucent, so many things have to happen. You can't just be hydrated and look that way. Your skin really needs to be its healthiest in all aspects.
Skin plays a significant role in the health of our bodies, but having soft, healthy skin is also important for self-esteem. There are many things that can prevent your skin from feeling soft and smooth, including exposure to the elements, irritants and pollutants, lack of moisture, and poor overall health.
Genetics, aging, hormones, and conditions such as diabetes are internal factors that affect the skin. Some of these you cannot influence, but there are many external factors that you can. External influencers such as unprotected sun exposure and washing too frequently or with water that is too hot can damage skin.
"Ideally the skin is smooth, supple, and uniform in color," Waldorf said. If your skin feels less bumpy, the size of your pores has been reduced, and you're noticing less marks, acne, and discoloration, your products are likely working.
Texture is fine, as long as it's consistent texture.
"Healthy skin looks and feels smooth," Brannon and Gallagher said on VeryWell.com. "If you look at healthy skin up close, the surface appears to be regularly irregular.
If after 30 minutes your skin appears shiny throughout, you likely have oily skin; if it feels tight and is flaky or scaly, you likely have dry skin; if the shine is only in your T-Zone, you probably have combination skin; and if your skin feels hydrated and comfortable, but not oily, you likely have normal skin.
Skin texture is the condition of the surface of your skin. Ideally, the skin is smooth, soft, and supple, but it can be uneven or dull due to dry skin, blemishes, loss of collagen from aging, sun damage, or lack of exfoliation.
Obviously, the best results of a good skincare routine leave your skin feeling healthy both inside and out. Soft, smooth skin that feels hydrated (not squeaky) is the end goal here. “Squeaky” skin may be too clean, meaning you've stripped it of all its natural oils that are critical for its defense.
"This can lead to excessive oil production, dryness, and even eczema-like skin conditions. It can also start a vicious cycle of feeling as though you need to apply more products to counteract the effects."
The three basic skin-care routine steps are cleansing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen (look for at least SPF 30 and “broad spectrum” on the label). Your morning skin-care routine should include those basics: washing with a cleanser, slathering on a moisturizer, then putting on your sunscreen, says Dr. Skotnicki.
The Cause: You're forgetting to moisturize regularly.
Dryness is the most common cause of dull face skin. It creates cracks in skin's surface and causes dead skin cells to build up, making the complexion look uneven and lackluster, says Kenneth Howe, M.D., a dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in NYC.
Glowing skin means different things to people. Many people use the term to refer to skin that looks healthy and “awake” rather than dry, dull, or unevenly textured. For some, healthy skin results in a natural sheen, or “glow.” Healthy skin is something that most people can work towards.
Rough bumpy skin has uneven texture and feels coarse to the touch. Common on the face and body, rough skin can be the result of dryness or a buildup of dead skin cells. A combination of exfoliation and hydration can help improve rough bumpy skin.