How to Improve Skin Texture
For most people, the perfect skin texture is smooth and supple without lumps or bumps. But textured skin on cheeks, faces, and bodies is incredibly common, leaving many of us searching for the secret to seriously smooth skin.
Ranges in texture and tone are perfectly normal, and chasing a perfectly poreless complexion is an impossible dream. However, there are several reasons your skin texture may be rough to the touch, bumpy or coarse-looking. Understanding what causes textured skin means you can start addressing the problem and improving the appearance.
Textured skin can make some people self-conscious, so we give you the tips and tricks to understand this phenomenon and how to get rid of textured skin and prevent lumpy, bumpy skin.
What causes uneven skin texture?
There are many reasons your skin texture may be uneven. It’s just as common as uneven skin tone, and common complaints include bumps, scars, ‘orange peel’ skin, dry or rough patches, and enlarged pores. It doesn’t discriminate and can be an issue for skin types across the spectrum.
Skin types and skin conditions
Certain skin conditions, including those brought on by hormonal imbalances and genetics, can contribute to texture changes. Understanding common skin conditions will help you know whether your uneven skin texture is normal or not.
Oily skin can have enlarged and clogged pores due to increased sebum (oil) production, leading to the appearance of blackheads. Acne will often leave blocked pores, bumpy scars, and hyperpigmentation in its wake. It’s best to know how to balance oily skin so you can settle it down before any treatment plan begins.
Dry skin lacks lipids, so the protective barrier atop your skin is compromised, leading to a rough, coarse texture. The problem with drier skin is that it won’t absorb the products as well – so you’d benefit from a dry skin regimen to address the underlying issues.
More serious skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis can cause the skin to become inflamed and scaly with dry patches, while rosacea may cause little bumps and skin thickening. Therefore, sufferers should always seek out the advice of a dermatologist who can tailor a treatment to their specific needs.
Other causes of textured skin
Besides these above-mentioned skin types and conditions, most people will experience textured skin at once in their lifetime, but for various reasons:
● Dead skin cells that can build on the skin’s surface are significant culprits in uneven skin texture, causing it to feel rough or coarse to the touch.
● Slower skin cell turnover as we age can cause our skin to look dull and coarse.
● Environmental stressors — such as UV damage from sun exposure, pollution and exposure to cigarette smoke — wreak havoc on skin texture. UV light can damage its DNA and hinder its ability to repair. This can accelerate skin ageing and result in textured skin. Free radical damage can also stress the skin, resulting in uneven skin texture. This is a problem for people who live in polluted, city environments – so arming yourself with the pollutants you should watch out for is key to smooth, healthy skin success.
In most cases, textured skin is painless and harmless, but it can be a symptom of something more serious, so, always reach out to a medical professional if concerned.
How to get rid of textured skin in 12 ways
In this section, we suggest 12 ways to reduce skin texture and how to get smoother skin, from using the right skincare product to tips for your health.
1. Cleanse thoroughly
Regular cleansing helps improve skin texture by promoting cell turnover and removing dead skin cells. It clears dirt, oil, sweat, and other impurities from the skin’s surface. Keeping pores clear helps to prevent congestion and clogging with sebum and dead skin cells, which can lead to acne and other skin issues.
When to cleanse
Be sure to cleanse each evening thoroughly before your head hits the pillow so you remove make-up, sunscreen, pollution and other impurities that have accumulated throughout the day.
Cleanse in the morning to remove any oil or sweat that accumulated on the skin overnight. Then apply your skin treatments.
How to cleanse
Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type. Harsh cleansers can strip the skin of natural oils and cause dryness and irritation. It is also important to avoid over-cleansing, as this can lead to skin sensitivity and inflammation.
Our recommended cleansing routine:
PM: For best results, we recommend a double cleansing method. Start with an
AM: Use your water-based cleanser to remove the night’s residue. A
2. Exfoliate
Uneven, rough or bumpy textured skin can come from dead skin cells that have built up on the skin’s surface. Exfoliation will effectively slough away this build-up and increase cell turnover. But don’t rub yourself up the wrong way – it’s key to learn how to exfoliate your skin like a professional.
Avoid harsh, physical scrubs. Instead, look for
Follow usage instructions, but most people with normal skin should use scrubs about twice a week.
Alternatively, opt for a chemical exfoliant containing glycolic acid, or lactic or malic acid (AHAs). Rather than physical exfoliation, these ingredients dissolve the bonds between the dead skin cells and living skin, causing them to flake off.
If you have acne-prone skin, look for ingredients like blemish-busting salicylic acid (BHA) to help unclog pores.
For those who are looking for an easy-to-use exfoliator that can promote skin radiant and tighten pores,
Caution: Remember that over-exfoliating can strip away your protective skin barrier, irritating the skin and leading to dehydration. This can, in turn, cause rebound oil overproduction as the skin tries to rebuild the barrier. So please don’t overdo it.
If you’re looking for something more potent than an at-home exfoliator, then perhaps it might be time to try a peel. The professional and
3. Moisturise
Use a
Those with drier complexions can reach for creams packed with richer, more emollient ingredients that nourish and comfort the skin. Clarins suggests
4. Wear sunscreen
Sun damage is among the most common causes of skin damage and premature ageing, including textured skin. This is because UV light penetrates the skin, causing damage to skin structures such as collagen, elastin, and keratinocytes (skin cells), leading to dryness and roughness.
You can help prevent these skin changes by avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight, wearing protective clothing, and using
Always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen to wear daily to protect against UV rays pollution. Clarins has a range of sunscreens
5. Vitamin C
A firm favourite amongst dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts, this powerful ingredient is proven to slow early skin ageing. Numerous studies have also shown
● Reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. The potent antioxidant action tackles free radicals such as air pollution and their damaging effects on the skin.
● Boosting collagen production in the skin.
● Increasing cell turnover.
The result? A smoother texture, reduced fine lines, reduced scar tissue, and pigmentation.
Use your
Clarins’
Caution: Some skin types may experience mild irritation or sensitivity when first using vitamin C, so do a patch test before using it. Use it every second day until it has become accustomed to the ingredient.
6. Retinol or retinol alternatives
For those who have sensitive skin, are pregnant, or prefer to use gentler but just as effective ingredients, there are alternatives, such as harungana and bakuchiol. These have excellent skin tolerance.
Harungana, a Madagascan plant ingredient, is shown to be 40% more effective than retinol, and it is found in
8. Professional treatments
While many at-home treatments are brilliant at tackling milder cases of uneven skin texture, those with more significant issues can take it to professionals. A skincare professional will determine the type and strength you should have, depending on your problem, the results you want, and your skin type. Clarins offers a range of
● Power Hydrator: The treatment aims to plump out fine lines and relieve tightness in your face, which restores the softness and comfort of the skin.
● Anti-blemish Rescue: As blemishes make your skin texture uneven, get rid of these with a detoxifying and purifying treatment. Our expert techniques will tighten pores and remove impurities to give you a rebalanced skin texture.
9. Seasonal skincare
Seasonal changes can affect our skin’s hydration, oil production, and overall texture. This means it’s important to adjust your skincare routine to suit your skin’s seasonal needs:
● Winter: Combine hydrating and protecting ingredients like
● Spring: This is a time of transition, with milder temperatures and increased humidity. Time to switch to lighter, more hydrating products with antioxidants, which help to protect the skin from environmental damage and brighten the complexion.
● Summer: Heat and humidity (depending on where you live), can lead to increased oil production and breakouts. Choose lightweight, oil-free products that won’t clog pores or contribute to acne. Don’t forget to use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an
● Autumn: This season’s cooler temperatures and lower humidity means you can switch to more
10. Stay hydrated
This is a piece of advice that we can’t repeat enough when being asked how to get rid of skin texture. Keeping hydrated is essential to good health, studies have shown that people who drink less water report dryness and roughness in their skin.
Hydration is vital for skin cells to be able to function optimally. If we don’t drink enough water, dehydration can lead to dry, flaky, rough skin, increased wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and a dull complexion. It can also exacerbate issues like eczema and psoriasis.
On the other hand, maintaining proper hydration keeps our skin hydrated and supple, with improved skin texture and appearance. Compare a fresh, plump prune and a dried prune – it’s a pretty good analogue for what’s happening in your skin when dehydrated. So, make a refillable water bottle a handbag staple, and, more importantly, use it.
11. Supplement support
Vitamin C is essential for collagen production and can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A deficiency can lead to dry, rough, and scaly skin. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, and it’s important for skin firmness and elasticity.
Tip: Combine vitamin C with vitamin E. When used together, they help to enhance each other’s antioxidant properties by recycling one another, so you have continuous antioxidant activity in the skin.
A lack of vitamin A can contribute to thin skin and prone to wrinkles. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is an important skin nutrient as it helps to improve its texture and overall health. Other vitamins and minerals are also crucial for healthy skin. Zinc, for instance, helps with wound healing and reduces inflammation.
Try to maintain a healthy, varied diet with plenty of colourful fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and a small amount of healthy fats. If this is difficult for you, incorporate a good-quality nutritional supplement into your daily nutrition.
12. Manage stress
Often much easier said than done, managing stress is an integral part of staying healthy, and studies have shown a correlation between stress and the health of our skin. There’s even a term for it — inflammaging!
Take time for self-care, research strategies, and coping mechanisms to help you handle the pressure and better manage your stress. For example, practising mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Engaging in regular physical activity, getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy, balanced diet can also help to reduce stress levels and promote overall skin health.
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