Did you know a shocking 92% of people say their skin's appearance affects their general well-being? Uneven skin texture is a common source of stress, but it doesn't have to be.
Read on for seven science-backed tips to help smooth rough texture.
Key Takeaways
- Textured skin can be caused by various things, from clogged pores to sun damage to aging.
- Once you've identified what is causing unwanted texture, you can choose the right method to address it.
- Consider integrating a high-quality moisturizer, cleanser, exfoliator, and serum into your skincare routine.
- Make sure to choose the right products for your skin type.
- Unfortunately, some skin damage is permanent, but it can often still be improved with the right care.
See Related: Sodium Hyaluronate vs. Hyaluronic Acid
How to Get Rid of Textured Skin
People will do almost anything for perfect skin. According to one survey, one-third of Americans would give up their phone or eat only oatmeal for a whole year if that magically perfected their skin.
Meanwhile, almost everyone admits their skin affects their well-being. Millions of people say they skip events because of their skin. And almost two-thirds of young adults say social media makes them feel worse about their skin.
Now, you should never compare yourself to social media. But there's no need to silently accept skin texture issues.
Smooth skin isn't just reserved for those with access to unlimited funds and AI-powered filters. There are various methods that have been proven to help improve skin tone and address common issues like uneven texture, enlarged pores, acne scars, and more.
What Causes Uneven Skin Texture
To improve your textured skin, you first need to identify what is causing the uneven skin texture.
There are many potential culprits.
Sun exposure is one. Ultraviolet rays can make the skin feel rough and thick. Sun damage can also cause a host of other issues, too, like fine lines and wrinkles.
Another culprit is acne. Clogged pores, dead skin cells, and bacteria can all lead to acne — and, in turn, acne scars.
Dryness is yet another potential culprit. When the skin's surface becomes dry, it can appear rough or even flaky.
It's worth noting that some people are simply genetically more predisposed to have textured skin. For example, you might simply have more acne-prone skin than other people.
Various skin conditions can also cause bumpy skin or textured skin.
In short, the list of things that can cause textured skin is long. Fortunately, the list of things that can help textured skin is even longer!
Once you've identified what you think might be contributing to your skin texture, you can move on to selecting the method (or methods) you think will best help.
Proven Methods to Improve Skin Texture
#1. Use an Enzyme or Chemical Exfoliant
One common cause of textured skin is dead skin cells. Dead cells are to be expected; according to one estimate, we shed over half a million dead skin cells every single day.
However, dead skin cell buildup can become problematic. If the dead cells accumulate more in certain places, your skin texture can become bumpy, rough, or generally uneven.
Also, dead cells can clog pores, and are delicious food for all kinds of bacteria, including the kinds that are known to cause acne.
So how do we get rid of these excess cells? One popular method is exfoliating.
There are various types of exfoliants, and some products combine multiple approaches.
First, there's physical exfoliation, where physical materials (like particles in a scrub) or tools (like a loofah) are used to remove dead skin cells.
Alternatively, chemical exfoliants use exfoliating acids to break down the compounds keeping those pesky dead cells stuck to your face. Two popular ingredients are salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
Finally, enzyme exfoliants use natural proteins called enzymes to break down the dead skin cells.
Fortunately, you don't necessarily have to choose just one method. The Radiance Enzyme Scrub, for example, combines apple enzymes with bamboo and jojoba beads to improve skin tone, texture, and clarity.
In one trial, 95% of people who used the scrub for four weeks said their skin felt refined, soft, smooth, and supple. Not bad!
Bonus: Is an Oil-Free Moisturizer Good for Oily Skin?
#2. Target Dark Spots and Signs of Aging
Aging is completely normal. Indeed, it's inevitable.
But premature aging, and some of the skin issues that come with it, are most definitely not inevitable.
Take wrinkles and fine lines. In a trial of this Vitamin C and Turmeric Serum, 91% of women said their skin smoothness improved.
Or what about age spots? These blemishes can be helped by a moisturizing creme or a serum high in vitamin C.
If your skin's uneven appearance is a result of wrinkles or bags under the eyes, consider using an eye creme to reduce fine lines, address puffiness, and nourish this particularly delicate part of your skin.
#3. Optimize For Your Skin Type
While everyone's skin is unique, there are generally believed to be five types of skin: normal, dry, oily, combination (i.e., skin that has oily and dry parts), and sensitive.
If you have oily skin and try to reduce texture with a method made for dry skin, you might not see the results you want. And vice versa.
In other words, you could be wasting time and money on products and routines that aren't even meant for your skin!
That's why it's important to try and identify what type of skin you have. That way, you can focus on the methods and products most likely to help you.
If you're not sure where to start, consider a bundle of products. We offer a Face Ritual bundle for dry or normal skin and another for combination skin. Both contain our tried and trusted cleanser, antioxidant essence, anti-aging serum, and moisturizer.
#4. Support Your Body's Collagen Production
You might have heard of collagen, but are you aware just how important it is? In fact, it's thought to make up over three-quarters of your skin by dry weight.
Collagen is essentially the scaffolding holding your skin together. It helps keep your skin smooth, firm, and plump.
Over time, your body loses collagen. Environmental damage, like from environmental pollution or sun exposure, can contribute to this loss. So can diet, stress, smoking, and other things.
Fortunately, there are ways you can address this. Some compounds can help prevent collagen breakdown. One example is the five flavor berry, a superfood we include in our Sweet Black Tea and Rice Oil-Free Moisturizer.
#5. Protect Your Skin Barrier
Your skin barrier is incredibly important. Think of it almost like a wall: It keeps out bad things, but needs to be maintained.
The skin barrier can be compromised in a number of ways. Hot water, for example, can irritate your skin and compromise your skin barrier. Pollution, lack of sleep, stress, sun exposure, dehydration, diet, and even over-exfoliation can all damage your skin barrier, too.
As you can imagine, a compromised skin barrier leads to multiple potential issues. For one thing, it can mean your skin drying out. As we discussed, dryness is a common cause of rough skin.
On the other hand, protecting and maintaining your skin barrier brings multiple benefits.
So how do we protect our skin barrier? One of the best ways is by moisturizing. A good moisturizer can keep your skin hydrated, plump, and protected from environmental stressors. Depending on your skin type, you might opt for an oil-free moisturizer.
#6. Cleanse and Clear Out Clogged Pores
Your face is full of pores. Each pore contains a special gland that produces a natural oil called sebum, which helps protect and hydrate your skin.
That's all well and good. But all kinds of things can cause these pores to become blocked and clogged. Dead skin cells, too much oil, dirt, and makeup are all common culprits.
All this debris can cause uneven texture. If not addressed, clogged pores can become stretched and more visible. Clogged pores are also the perfect environment for the bacteria that cause acne to thrive.
So how do we unclog pores? Exfoliation is a great method, and we've already discussed its benefits. But another method is cleansing.
Cleansing is a crucial step in any at-home skincare routine. Your cleanser should remove the oil, dirt, and other debris on your face that might clog your pores.
Be careful, though. It's possible to over-cleanse, or cleanse too harshly. Consider using a gentle cleanser that exfoliates without dehydrating and soothes skin.
#7. Chemical Peel
For something a little stronger, consider a chemical peel. These go deeper than simple cleansers or even exfoliators.
As such, they can bring additional benefits. For example, chemical peels may stimulate cell turnover, which can help your skin appear smooth. Because peels aim to deconstruct and dissolve the cells and debris that often cause textured skin, they can sometimes improve skin texture.
However, it's important to test a peel on a small patch of your skin first, to ensure you don't react badly. Make sure to start with a weaker peel, only use peels when your skin barrier is healthy, and don't combine them with other harsh products like retinols or exfoliators.
Conclusion
There are plenty of ways to improve textured skin. A regular skincare routine that incorporates some of the tips we discuss here is a great way to improve texture.
Keep Reading: 10 Tricks to Get Butter Smooth Skin
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Improve My Skin Texture?
Skin texture can be affected by many things. First, try and figure out what is causing your uneven skin texture. Is it acne scars? Clogged pores? Dryness?
Once you've identified the underlying cause of your textured skin, you can start addressing it. As we discussed above, a skincare routine that incorporates a cleanser, moisturizer, and exfoliator is a great way to combat textured skin.
Just make sure to get the right products for your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, for example, you don't want to use a harsh cleanser or exfoliator that is meant for people with oily skin.
Alternatively, you could consider professional treatments, like laser resurfacing.
Will Textured Skin Ever Go Away?
That depends on the severity of the texture, what it was caused by, and how you choose to treat it.
For example, consider someone with a little roughness from dehydration. With proper hydration and a good moisturizer, that person could be back to smooth skin in just a few days.
Other situations aren't quite as simple to reverse. As we discussed, texture is often caused by aging. You can minimize the changes with collagen-promoting products, but you can't fully reverse them.
Similarly, serious texture issues, like deep scars or intense sun damage, might not be fully reversible, even with professional treatments.
Of course, that's a great reason to try and reduce skin damage before it occurs. You can help prevent sun damage by wearing sunscreen, for example.
It's certainly not a reason to lose hope. Even serious issues with texture can often be improved with proper treatment. And these are extreme cases; more common issues, like clogged pores or a damaged skin barrier, can almost always be solved with the right approach.
Can Salicylic Acid Remove Textured Skin?
Salicylic acid doesn't "remove" textured skin. At least, it doesn't remove your skin in the way that question implies!
However, salicylic acid and similar exfoliating acids do help "remove" the dead skin cells that often cause textured skin. So in that sense, it does "remove textured skin."
--
Juara Skincare incorporates ancient rituals with Western skincare science, creating the ultimate beauty experience. We aim to transport you from the mundane to the extraordinary with our exotic ingredients, intoxicating scents, and powerful, skin-improving formulas. All of our products are nutrient-rich and botanically based. We are proud to be certified cruelty-free. Get the latest skin care tips and info on Juara products by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
