How to improve textured skin

Why is my skin textured?

Dry skin lacks enough moisture to stay soft. It can feel rough or tight and look flaky or scaly, with or without itching. Cold weather, low humidity, frequent washing and exposure to chemicals can contribute. Roughness with a red, itchy rash can also involve dermatitis, which means skin inflammation, rather than simply needing more exfoliation.1

Comedonal acne means bumps caused by pores or hair follicles clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Closed plugs are whiteheads; open plugs are blackheads, whose tips darken on contact with air. These bumps often appear on the forehead and chin, usually match the surrounding skin, and are not tender or swollen.2

Keratosis pilaris causes small, rough bumps when keratin, a protein in skin, hair and nails, collects in hair follicles. It commonly affects the upper arms and thighs, but can also affect the face. The bumps can match your skin or appear red or brown. The condition is harmless and not infectious, and often becomes more noticeable in winter.35

Build the daily routine first

The daily foundation is cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection, not a bathroom shelf with departments. Using several different products can irritate skin and make signs of aging more noticeable.4

1. 1Cleanse gently before applying skincare and before bed. Limit face washing to twice daily and after sweating. A gentle cleanser removes dirt, oil and debris and helps prevent clogged pores.
2. 2Apply moisturizer while your skin is damp to trap water. Moisturize even if your skin is oily.
3. 3Use daily sun protection. Choose broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for skin not covered by clothing, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Shade and protective clothing also help.

Choose products intended for your skin type, and look for labels saying noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. A moisturizer with sunscreen can combine two routine steps.24

Choose treatment for the kind of texture

For dry roughness, moisturizer is the main treatment. Look for a fragrance free product made for the affected area, such as the face or body. Glycerin attracts moisture, while ingredients such as petroleum jelly help retain it. Apply moisturizer in the morning, before bed and after bathing while skin is damp. Severe dryness can crack and bleed, so it needs care rather than further abrasion.1

For clogged bumps, the acne treatments above are options, not a list to apply together. Choose oil free, water based cleansers, moisturizers and makeup, and remove makeup before bed. Do not pick, squeeze or pop comedones: doing so can damage follicles, cause scars or infection, and create more acne. Leave extractions to a qualified professional.2

For keratosis pilaris, moisturizing creams can hydrate skin or loosen scale stuck in follicles. Use mild, unperfumed washing products and cool or lukewarm baths and showers. Gentle washing with a washcloth or exfoliating mitt is an option, but avoid harsh scrubs, hot water, scratching and picking. A pharmacist can help you choose a suitable cream or lotion.35

Should you exfoliate textured skin?

Exfoliation removes dead cells from the outer skin layer, but it is not suitable for everyone. Scrubs, brushes and sponges remove cells physically; chemical exfoliators use acids to dissolve them. Dry, sensitive or acne prone skin generally needs a gentler approach than oily, thicker skin. Avoid strong chemical or physical exfoliation if you have darker skin or develop dark marks after skin injuries, because aggressive exfoliation can increase pigmentation.6

For a rinse off scrub or exfoliator, use gentle circular motions for about 30 seconds, then rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize immediately. Use short, light strokes with a brush or sponge. Exfoliation frequency depends on skin type and method: stronger methods need less frequent use. There is no single daily schedule or acid strength that suits every kind of texture.6

If you use prescription retinoids, retinol or benzoyl peroxide, adding exfoliation can worsen dryness or breakouts. Do not exfoliate sunburned skin or open cuts and wounds. Stop exfoliating if skin becomes red or irritated instead of increasing frequency to chase smoothness.6

How long does improvement take?

Comedonal acne can start improving after eight to twelve weeks of consistent care and treatment, but clearing it can take many months. Keratosis pilaris often lasts for years and has no cure, although it can improve or clear during adulthood. Dry roughness improves by restoring moisture; most people can manage dry skin with daily moisturizer.125

When should you get help?

See a dermatologist for dryness that does not go away or keeps returning, or acne that is not responding to treatment. Report medication side effects to your prescriber. For keratosis pilaris that becomes itchy, inflamed or bothersome despite home care, speak to a pharmacist, who can advise whether you need a doctor. Laser and steroid treatments are available, but their effectiveness for keratosis pilaris remains uncertain.123