How to Get Rid of Textured Skin: The Causes and Approach

Have you felt rough or bumpy skin on your face? Whether it's more dry or uneven to the touch, this can be hard to manage. A poor skin texture can have many downsides, such as causing makeup to break up on the face. However, textured skin is not a concern that appears overnight, and improving it means exploring a range of approaches.

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What is Textured Skin?

Texture appears on the skin as bumpy, rough or uneven. This skin concern is commonly found on certain body parts including the legs, arms, neck, face and back. However, when it comes to texture, there isn't a single cause behind this.

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What Can Cause Texture to Appear On My Skin?

There are many reasons behind skin texture feeling bumpy or rough to the touch. This is especially true given that texture is a universal experience — all skin types can develop this kind of concern, from combination and oily to dry.

See causes for textural irregularities:

• Dead skin cells: When dead skin cells linger on the skin, this can cause texture. Some reasons behind this include avoiding regular face washes, a slow cell turnover and a compromised skin barrier.
• Acne and scarring: When skin is acne-prone, or is experiencing a sudden flare up, this can cause excess congestion. This level of inflammation causes a collagen breakdown, and as a result, a build-up of dead skin cells.
• Sun exposure: In the case of persistent, direct UV exposure, this causes extensive damage to the skin over time. This radiation breaks down collagen, causing cell damage as a result, which leads to a thick, leathery skin feel.
• Skin barrier damage: Since it acts as a protective mechanism, the integrity of the skin's outermost layer is key. Any damage done to the barrier can compromise its ability to keep impurities out. This leads to Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), meaning that the skin can't retain moisture as it did.
• Ageing: Over time, your skin's fundamental proteins collagen and elastin will begin to gradually decline. When your skin is exposed to UV rays during this period, it can cause major changes. As cited by the NIH, this "leads to changes in skin texture".

*Please note that the above is an overview of the causes behind skin texture. The overall cause is subject to the individual.

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How to: Get Rid of Your Skin Texture

When it comes to your skin, there are ways to manage any textural issues. The important thing to focus on is that when it comes to any skin goal, it often demands a multi-layered approach.

Your Daily Skincare Routine

Step	Frequency	What to Do
Cleanse	Daily	In the morning, use a gentle, hydrating cleanser to remove impurities that built up overnight. In the evening, double cleanse to wash away makeup, dirt and pollutants. Begin with micellar water or an oil cleanser, then follow with a water-based cleanser.
Exfoliate	1–2x weekly	Gently remove dead skin cells and other impurities. Use a chemical or physical exfoliator no more than twice a week to sustain the skin barrier. Exfoliation helps with the cell turnover process, as noted in a PubMed Journal article.
Serum	2–3x weekly	To help with textural issues, use an exfoliating serum formulated with active ingredients. This works in synergy with your exfoliant to prevent a build-up of impurities on the skin.
Moisturise	Daily	To maximise hydration, apply a day and night-time cream. The two moisturisers offer different benefits, with antioxidants in a day cream and concentrated ingredients in a night cream. Hydration is key to maintaining the skin's barrier.
SPF	Daily	Protect your skin from UV damage with the daily application of SPF 50+ sunscreen. This prevents rough patches and other textural issues caused by UV exposure.

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Skincare Ingredient Checklist

For those with textured skin, it's important to look for products that gently exfoliate and support skin renewal. By incorporating the right ingredients, achieving your unique skin goals becomes a smoother process.

• Retinol: This renowned skincare ingredient plays a powerful role in the cell turnover process. By helping to renew skin cells, it provides a smoothing effect to the skin. A PubMed Journal article notes how retinol "enhances epidermis turnover" (the skin's outer layer).
• AHAs and BHAs: These chemical exfoliant ingredients both help to smoothen the skin, but with different purposes. Alpha hydroxy acids (such as glycolic acid) exfoliate the surface layer of your skin, while beta-hydroxy acid works deep into the skin to clear away impurities. The most popular BHA is salicylic acid.
• Ceramides: As a naturally occurring mechanism in the body, ceramides help to bind the skin's outer layer together. A lack of ceramides can cause the strength of the barrier to weaken. Using products formulated with ceramides helps ensure your skin stays protected.
• Niacinamide: As a Vitamin B3, this helps build a strong skin barrier and encourages the cell turnover process. In a clinical study published on PubMed, a 12-week split-face trial with female subjects found that moisturisers with 5% niacinamide had visible textural improvements compared to a standard moisturiser.

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How to Get Rid of Texture on Your Face: The Professional Approach

Looking to take a more targeted approach to your skin? At SDL Australia, we offer in-clinic services designed with the potential to meet your skin goals. This, combined with proper at-home care and holistic health, helps provide a promising pathway for textured skin.

HydraFacial

To both gently exfoliate and administer potent hydration to the skin, a HydraFacial treatment can be very promising. This thoroughly cleanses the skin with a patented vacuum device, followed by an infusion of serums. It allows for a glowier skin appearance and a smoother surface.

SDL Level 1 Peel

This treatment is a gentle skin resurfacing treatment that applies acids at certain concentrations. The process is designed to encourage skin renewal as it enhances cell turnover. This is why the SDL Level 1 Peel is promising for targeting texture, leaving a smoother, more rejuvenated skin surface.

*Unsure whether these treatments may be right for your skin? Before we begin your SDL pathway, our team will first evaluate your treatment suitability.

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The Bottom Line: Getting Smooth Skin Takes a Personalised Approach

When it comes to the potential for smoother skin, there's no singular approach. At SDL Australia, we recognise that being en route to your skin goals can mean taking an integrated approach. From a consistent skincare routine and the right products, to in-clinic services, these factors are key. Our team is here to help you meet your unique skin goals.