Best treatments to improve skin texture

What can improve skin texture?

Which acid should you choose?

Alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, loosen the bonds holding dead surface cells together. Glycolic acid smooths the surface and can improve fine lines and discoloration. Lactic acid exfoliates while moisturizing and is a gentler option for sensitive skin. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, or BHA: it dissolves in oil and reaches inside pores, making it a better match for blackheads and whiteheads than dryness alone. Hyaluronic acid has a misleadingly similar name but is a water binding ingredient, not an AHA or BHA.1

Pick the ingredient that matches your concern rather than collecting every category. A list of acids is not a routine, even if the shopping basket looks very organised. Too much exfoliation can remove structures that keep water and healthy fats in the skin.1

How to start glycolic acid

1. 1Test a small amount on one area before applying glycolic acid more widely.
2. 2Start once or twice a week at night. Increase frequency only if your skin tolerates it.
3. 3Initially avoid combining glycolic acid with other exfoliating acids, retinol or vitamin C serums. Fewer active ingredients make it easier to identify the cause of irritation.
4. 4During the day, apply broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply every two hours.

Be cautious with glycolic acid if you have dry or sensitive skin, rosacea, eczema, an active infection or skin that is not healing. Low concentrations are generally considered safe during pregnancy, but check with your healthcare provider before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Home glycolic products can take several months of consistent use to improve brightness or uneven pigmentation; stronger office peels can produce more dramatic changes.5

Are retinoids better for fine lines?

Retinoids are vitamin A derived ingredients that improve lines, texture, pigmentation and hydration. Retinol is available in skincare products without a prescription. Tretinoin is the established first choice for photoaging, meaning skin aging caused by sun exposure, but irritation can limit its use. Other vitamin A treatments are often better tolerated, although they are not all equally effective. Retinaldehyde is one alternative to discuss if tretinoin is difficult to tolerate.26

For a prescription retinoid, have your healthcare provider choose the product and application plan rather than borrowing a glycolic acid schedule. Retinoids can be applied at home, but suitability needs checking. Before a procedure, tell your dermatologist which retinoids and other active products you use: chemical peels and microneedling can require a temporary pause.247

What helps rough bumps on the arms or legs?

Persistent small bumps can be keratosis pilaris, a buildup of dead skin around hair follicles. A dermatologist can confirm the cause. For keratosis pilaris, creamy moisturizers containing urea or lactic acid can relieve dryness and itch. Apply within five minutes after bathing, while skin is damp, and at least two or three times daily.13

Treatment for the bumps can include glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, urea or a retinoid. Use the amount and frequency your dermatologist recommends, and stop the exfoliating medicine for a few days if skin becomes dry or irritated. If there is no improvement after four to six weeks, tell your dermatologist. Lasers are an option when moisturizer and medicine fail. Treatment controls keratosis pilaris rather than curing it, so maintenance can involve less frequent medicine or a moisturizing cream.3

When should you consider a professional treatment?

A light peel is often called a 'lunchtime' peel, which is a surprisingly casual name for removing a layer of skin. Light peels offer subtle improvement, often through a series, with redness and scaling lasting three to seven days. Medium peels reach deeper, with skin peeling over seven to fourteen days. Deep peels require substantially more preparation and recovery. Deep scars and severe wrinkles generally respond poorly to chemical peels, so a stronger peel is not automatically the right answer.7

Peels can cause pigment changes, scarring or infection. Darker skin has a greater risk of darkening after treatment. Tell your dermatologist about unusual scarring, cold sores and medicines that increase skin sensitivity. Follow the specific preparation and aftercare plan, including sun avoidance during healing and moisturizer as directed.7

Professional microneedling uses tiny needles to stimulate collagen production and can treat all skin tones. Improvement can start within weeks, with full results usually taking several months. Acne scars can require three to five sessions, spaced two to four weeks apart. Temporary redness or darkening, burning and swelling usually settle within days to a week. Wait twenty four hours before applying makeup.4

Choose a board certified dermatologist rather than a home needling device, which can cause infection, scarring or pigment changes. Microneedling is unsuitable for people with poor healing, a history of keloids, a weakened immune system, radiation treatment or skin cancer treatment in the area. Treatment must wait for infections, sunburn or painful, deep or pus filled pimples to clear. Tell the dermatologist about isotretinoin use before booking.4

Laser resurfacing can improve acne scars and unevenness from sun damage, but active acne should be controlled first. Certain lasers have a greater risk of hyperpigmentation, meaning skin darkening, in darker skin tones. Discuss the exact procedure, your skin tone and recovery requirements before choosing resurfacing.2