Porcelain skin, glossy skin, glassy skin, baby skin—these are terms we use to describe ideal skin. You are probably familiar with the term “uneven skin tone” (irregular darkening of the skin on different areas of your face and body), but have you ever looked into uneven skin texture? Major news flash: textured skin is as common as uneven skin tone, yet it is not spoken about nearly as much. A textured surface feels rough and bumpy to the touch, making your skin look dull overall. Most people who have textured skin usually think that is their natural skin, but that is not the case at all. There are many causes of textured skin, and we are here to break them down and share the best products to get your skin baby smooth in no time.
Do I Have Textured Skin?
Gently touch your face. Does it feel smooth and soft like a baby's bottom? If you feel any rough patches, dryness, or bumps, chances are you have textured skin. Unlike discoloration and uneven pigmentation, which we can simply conceal with makeup, uneven skin texture is a lot harder to hide, and makeup can make it look more obvious.
What is the Cause of Textured Skin?
There can be a variety of skin conditions that lead to textured skin.
- Rough texture: caused by dehydrated or dry skin.
- Bumps: tiny or large bumps can be a result of acne, milia (keratin becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin), folliculitis (clogged hair follicles), eczema, or keratosis pilaris. All these leave your skin feeling (and looking) like sandpaper.
- Uneven skin texture: acne scars can result in textural changes and indentations that occur on the skin.
Exfoliate Rough Patches
One cause of textured skin is dead cells and dehydrated or dry skin. If this is the case, regular exfoliation can be an easy fix. Exfoliating skin is one of the best ways to get rid of uneven skin texture. After the age of 30, your skin cell turnover starts to slow down. This means that your body does not naturally shed cells as efficiently from the surface of the skin. Make sure to target the areas that need it the most and always moisturize after. The key is not to over-exfoliate and over-process your skin. You do not want to strip your skin of its barrier because it will only boomerang back and cause more skin issues. Exfoliating a few times a week followed by proper skincare will create the perfect balance for smooth skin. Choose a product that works to dissolve and remove surface dead and dry skin.
Sonya’s Pick: Flash Facial 1 Minute Peel
Chemical Peel (Home + Professional)
Chemical peels are fast, highly effective treatments for rough texture, acne scars, uneven skin tone, sun damage, and fine lines—a great way to quickly shed the top layer of skin. We all think of spas when it comes to peels, and it’s true that many offer great professional peels, but if visiting a spa is not possible, a home peel is an excellent option. Choose a peel with more gentle (but still effective) acids such as lactic and phytic. “You do not want to burn or damage skin. Let your skincare work smarter not harder,” says Sonya Dakar. “I see so many clients who burn their skin with harsh peels, so choose wisely.”
Retinol: Your Daily Treatment for Skin Maintenance
When your skin's cellular turnover slows down, it tends to develop a build-up of dead skin cells. One effective solution is to speed up cellular turnover with the regular use of a retinol product. This will ensure your skin sheds dead cells regularly and maintains a smooth, soft texture. Retinol is also wonderful for treating acne, large pores, as well as acne scars.
Sonya’s Pick: Retinu
Oil Is Your Friend
We’ve talked about exfoliating, peels and retinol to improve skin texture, but you shouldn’t take away from your skin without adding something back. The “addition” is skin nutrition and hydration, and a good quality face oil is key when treating textured skin. Not only does it hydrate, nourish, and physically create a soft, smooth feel to the skin, it also helps to repair the skin's natural barrier to protect your skin. Do not be afraid of oil: lack of a good oil will cause your skin to starve and over produce oil. A good face oil rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids will help balance out oil production. Just massage a few drops on top of your moisturizer to treat skin and seal in moisture.
Sonya’s Pick: Organic Omega Oil
Professional Care: Get a Microneedling Treatment
If a professional skincare treatment is an option for you, we can’t stress enough how beneficial professional microneedling is. Microneedling is a revolutionary solution to skincare that enables the skin to regenerate, creating dramatic improvements in the tone and texture of the skin. Microneedling utilizes collagen induction therapy to improve skin texture and firmness as well as reduce scars, pore size, and stretch marks.
