Skin texture comes in many different forms. Bumpy skin, enlarged pores, rough spots, and anything else that makes your skin look less luminous and smooth. Until you put on makeup and the texture is accentuated by cakey foundation, these bumps, flakes, pits, and rough areas on your skin are easy to feel but can be a little difficult to see. This problem affects a lot of people of different age groups, and it can be incredibly difficult to treat. To understand how to treat skin texture, we first have to understand what causes it. 

Why does my skin have so much texture? 

There are a lot of various reasons why you could have bumps on your skin. Most commonly they are caused by a slowing down of skin cell turnover as we age. That leads to dullness and uneven skin texture. Acne scars, dermatitis, dry skin patches, psoriasis, or keratosis pilaris also cause our skin to have a bumpy texture. In addition to that, let’s not forget about those UVA and UVB rays. Sun damage can worsen the texture of your skin as well. UVB radiation can result in the early death of living skin cells, which can enhance skin roughness, while UVA rays can boost the synthesis of pigment, which will give your skin a generally mottled appearance. 

How to improve your skin texture

Improving the texture of your skin is a tricky process. First of all, you have to come to the root of the problem. You have to understand what gives your skin that bumpy look. Is it congested pores? Or maybe acne scars? Some of the causes may require a visit to the esthetician or dermatologist, while others can be treated at home. If you have severe skin texture, and you are unsure what the cause may be, we would suggest visiting a derm before doing anything else. However, if you are certain that your texture is just a result of sebum build-up, or you slacking on your skincare routine, then try out these tips. 

Exfoliators

The removal of dull, rough skin cells is a crucial step in obtaining and maintaining a smooth skin texture. Begin by using a gentle at-home exfoliant just a few times per week, followed by a moisturizer. There are many different skin exfoliants to choose from. From AHAs, and BHAs, to a combination of both. AHAs are alpha-hydroxy acids, and there are great for any type of skin texture. This group includes glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid. All of these acids work great at exfoliating the skin, but they won’t work equally as well on all skin types. If you have very sensitive skin, opt for a mandelic acid exfoliator. But if your skin is more robust, you can go for glycolic acid. BHA is salicylic acid, and this acid is a great option for people with oily skin and congested pores. 

Retinoids

We have already explained that a slow skin cell turnover can cause the skin to appear bumpy and textured. But there is one skincare product that actually speeds up skin cell turnover, even when we age! It’s retinol! Vitamin A derivatives are a great product to add to your skincare routine that will address many different skin concerns at the same time. By speeding up the skin cell turnover cycle, retinol helps fight acne, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and skin texture. Retinols also have an exfoliating effect, which will further help smooth out your skin.  Apply it at night before you go to bed, and make sure you don’t forget your sunscreen in the morning. 

SPF

We can’t stress it enough how important it is to wear sunscreen on a daily basis. It won’t only help you prevent skin cancer and premature skin aging, but it can also make a huge difference in your overall skin texture. Wearing a broad-spectrum SPF will help you avoid so much UV radiation-related harm that causes the uneven skin texture we discussed before. Please remember to wear sunscreen and reapply it throughout the day. No matter what the UV index is outside, if it’s summer or winter, if it’s raining or snowing, you have to protect your skin.