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Textured skin can get in the way of that smooth, glowing look we all want. But don't worry, with the right approach and top-notch skincare products, you can make a big difference in your skin's texture without the need for expensive or invasive in-clinic skin treatments. Let’s talk about textured skin, including what it looks like, what causes it, and what you can do about it.
What Is Textured Skin and What Does It Look Like?
Textured skin appears uneven and rough, often characterized by bumps, pits, and patches that disrupt the smoothness of the skin, creating a visibly uneven skin texture. It can manifest as enlarged pores, acne scars, dry flaky areas, and a general lack of radiance. This uneven skin texture can make the skin look dull and less youthful, affecting the overall appearance and feel of the complexion.
Why Is My Skin So Textured?
Textured skin can result from a combination of factors, including the accumulation of dead skin cells, enlarged pores, acne scarring, dehydration, collagen loss, and sun damage. Each of these elements can contribute to an uneven skin surface, making the skin appear rough and dull. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and inadequate skincare practices can make the textured appearance worse.
Dead Skin Cell Buildup
When dead skin cells accumulate on the surface, they can create a rough, uneven texture. You can regularly exfoliate to help remove these dead cells, promoting a smoother, more radiant appearance.
Genetics
Genetics can play a significant role in the appearance of textured skin. Your genetic makeup can influence factors such as pore size, oil production, and your own skin's natural exfoliation process, all of which contribute to skin texture.
Enlarged Pores
Enlarged pores can contribute to a bumpy skin texture. Factors such as excess oil production and aging can cause pores to appear larger, making the skin look less smooth. There are also some types of makeup that can build up in the pores, so if you have a textured skin type, try to avoid foundations, primers, and other products that are heavily oil-based.
Acne Scarring
Acne scars, including pits and raised areas, can leave the skin with an uneven texture. Addressing acne and using treatments like retinoids that promote skin renewal or Blue Light Therapy to help prevent future breakouts can help minimize the appearance of scars.
Dehydration
Dehydrated skin lacks the moisture needed to maintain a smooth texture. If you have a skin type that gives you both textured and dry skin, incorporate nourishing skincare products into your regular routine and make sure you’re drinking enough water to help keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.
Sun Damage
Prolonged sun exposure can lead to rough, textured skin by damaging skin cells and collagen. Use sunscreen and protective clothing to help prevent further damage and give your skin a chance to heal.
6 Ways To Get Rid of Textured Skin
Achieving smoother, healthier-looking skin requires a blend of targeted treatments and consistent care. From professional treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion to at-home options such as retinoids and hydrating serums, to professional-grade at-home options like Red Light Therapy, there are quite a few methods you can use to work toward smoother, more even-looking skin.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels use acids to exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. This treatment can help smooth out rough skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and improve overall skin texture.
How To: Chemical peels can be performed by a dermatologist or licensed esthetician, or at home with over-the-counter products. The process involves applying a chemical solution to the skin, which causes the top layers to peel off, revealing fresher, smoother skin underneath. While effective, chemical peels can cause redness and irritation, and deeper peels done in-clinic require downtime for recovery.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure that gently exfoliates the skin using fine crystals or a diamond-tipped wand. This treatment helps to remove dead skin cells, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, and smooth out uneven skin.
How To: Microdermabrasion is typically performed by a skincare professional. The procedure involves using a handheld device to spray fine crystals onto the skin or a diamond-tipped wand to gently abrade the skin's surface. The dead skin cells are then vacuumed away. This option offers minimal downtime but may require multiple sessions for optimal results.
Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy can be a powerful tool for improving skin texture. By stimulating collagen production, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smooth out uneven skin, and rejuvenate your skin's overall appearance. Combined with other skincare techniques and therapies such as Blue Light, Facial Massage, and Therapeutic Warmth, it can also help reduce the appearance of inflammation and redness caused by acne, brighten the look of dark circles, and visibly depuff the skin.
How To: Red Light Therapy can be done at a dermatologist's office or at home with a Red Light Therapy Device. The process involves exposing the skin to low-level Red or Near-Infrared light, which penetrates the skin to deliver results.
While non-invasive and suitable for all skin types, it requires multiple sessions for noticeable results. This is where at-home, professional-grade Red Light Therapy comes in.
Solawave is the leader in providing professional-grade light tools and skincare products that you can use from the comfort of your home to achieve visible results after just two weeks*.
To use Red Light Therapy for textured skin, we recommend our Red Light Therapy Face Mask or our 4-in-1 Skincare Wand.
Our Red Light Therapy Face Mask uses Red and Near-Infrared Light to help smooth the appearance of the skin by targeting wrinkles and fine lines, bringing out a firm complexion with a radiant glow. You can use the mask for 10 minutes three times per week as part of your regular skincare routine.
Our 4-in-1 Skincare Wand combines Red Light Therapy, Galvanic Current, Facial Massage, and Therapeutic Warmth to give your skin a lifted, firm, smooth appearance. The massage, in particular, helps to target puffiness, which can contribute to the look of uneven skin. Use for a total of 12 minutes three times per week, targeting each quadrant of your face for 3 minutes each.
Retinoids
Incorporating retinoids into your skincare routine can promote skin renewal and improve texture. Retinoids help to increase cell turnover, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and smooth out rough skin.
How To: Retinoids are available in both prescription and over-the-counter formulations. Apply a small amount to clean, dry skin in the evening, starting with a lower concentration to build tolerance. Although highly effective, retinoids can cause dryness and irritation, especially when first starting, so be gentle as you work this into your routine.
Hydrating Serums and Moisturizers
Using hydrating serums and moisturizers is essential for maintaining smooth, plump skin. Look for products containing hyaluronic acid, collagen, and ceramides to lock in moisture and support skin hydration.
Our Glowing Skin Starter Set includes our Nourishing Moisturizer, Hydrating Gel Cleanser, Plumping Peptide Serum, and Refreshing Jelly Mist. With ingredients like triple-weighted hyaluronic acid, powerful probiotics, mushroom humectants, and avocado peptides, your skin will be nourished at every step of your routine.
How To: Apply a hydrating serum to clean skin, followed by a moisturizer to lock in the hydration. Use these products both morning and night for best results.
Check out our guide on how to properly layer skincare products for more guidance on how to use your products for maximum effect!
Professional Treatments
There are also professional treatments for textured skin, such as dermaplaning, acid peels, and laser therapy. These treatments can provide intensive, immediate results, helping to refine skin texture and promote a healthier-looking complexion.
How To: Professional treatments should be performed by a licensed dermatologist, esthetician, or other skincare professional. Each treatment has its own specific procedure and recovery time, and while offering dramatic and immediate results, these treatments can be expensive and may require downtime for recovery.
Always consult with a skincare professional to determine your candidacy for professional treatments.
How To Prevent Textured Skin
Preventing textured skin involves sticking to a consistent skincare routine that includes gentle cleansing, regular exfoliation, and proper hydration. Using gentle cleansers helps preserve your skin's natural barrier, and regular exfoliation with chemical or physical exfoliants removes dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover. Hydrating serums and moisturizers keep your skin plump and smooth, while daily application of broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against UV damage.
Avoid harsh products that can irritate your skin, and stay hydrated with a balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants to maintain smooth, healthy-looking skin. For an extra boost, professional-grade treatments like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or Red Light Therapy can further enhance your skin texture.
Skincare Routine for Textured Skin
Step 1: Cleanse
Start with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping the skin. Look for a hydrating cleanser that maintains the skin's natural moisture barrier while still cleansing away impurities that can clog pores.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Incorporate a chemical exfoliant, such as an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), BHA (beta hydroxy acid), lactic acid, or salicylic acid, 2-3 times a week. These exfoliants help remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover, leading to a smoother texture. If you have sensitive skin, start with once per week and work up to 2 to 3 times per week, making sure to monitor your skin for irritation and redness. If you have an oilier skin type, you may find that exfoliating 3 to 4 times a week helps to combat oiliness and clogged pores without irritating skin.
Step 3: Tone
Use a hydrating toner to balance the skin's pH levels and prepare it for next steps. Choose a toner with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to add extra hydration (our toner uses Beta-Glucan, a mushroom humectant, to help keep your skin hydrated!).
Step 4: Apply Serum
Apply a targeted serum that addresses specific skin concerns. For uneven skin texture, keratosis pilaris, and smooth skin, look for serums containing retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, salicylic acid, or lactic acid to promote skin renewal and improve texture.
Step 5: Moisturize
Use a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer to lock in hydration and keep the skin plump and smooth. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, collagen, and ceramides are excellent for maintaining moisture levels.
Step 6: Sunscreen or Retinol
For your morning routine: finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UV rays, preventing further damage and promoting a healthier-looking complexion.
For your evening routine: consider using a retinol or retinoid product to promote skin renewal and improve texture through the night.
Conclusion
Smoother, healthier-looking skin means committing to a consistent skincare routine that specifically targets the factors behind rough, textured skin. Gentle cleansing, regular exfoliation, proper hydration, and daily sun protection can make a big difference in uneven skin texture and appearance. Adding targeted products with retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid can further boost skin smoothness and radiance.
While in-clinic options like microdermabrasion and chemical peels can also help, professional-grade at-home options like our Red Light Therapy devices are gaining popularity thanks to their ease of use and non-invasive efficiency at targeting signs of skin aging, including uneven skin texture.
Ready to get started with your own Red Light Therapy device? Take our skin quiz to find the right Red Light Therapy treatment for you!
*Disclaimer: Based on an independent claims validation study of 60 people over 30 days using the 4-in-1 Skincare Wand. Individual results may vary.
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