What Causes Rough Skin Texture + How To Deal, From Derms

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While redness is the most common symptom of rosacea, it’s not the only one. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, rosacea symptoms can also include roughness, small bumps, and even thickening skin that can lead to more uneven texture (though the latter is rare). 

Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) can also cause uneven skin texture. This can look like scaly, dry patches or thicker skin (similar to that of rosacea). 

Plus, both skin conditions can cause excessive dryness on the skin, which is another form of texture. When treating texture from rosacea or eczema, you should consult your dermatologist. Many of the over-the-counter methods that are marketed for smoothing texture might irritate these highly-sensitive skin types. 

Orange peel skin is one form of texture that is, in part, related to collagen loss. Image a citrus peel—the texture isn’t necessarily smooth, but it’s not dramatically uneven either. To the naked eye, the skin looks dimply and has enlarged pores. 

"It's a sign of sun damage and aging. Basically as collagen and elastin are compromised, the pores are not held closed, leaving them larger and more visible," Morgan Rabach, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical NYC previously said about orange peel skin.

Everyone experiences a dip in collagen production as you age—at a rate of 1% each year3 after you hit your mid-20s. Given the decline, you may experience more skin texture with age. There’s an easy remedy for this one—more on that to come.

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"AHAs work to improve skin by removing the top layers of the skin through weakening the lipids that bond them together, thus removing dull and dead skin cells and revealing healthy skin cells," says board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, M.D.

​​The most popular of the AHA family are glycolic acid and lactic acid. "Glycolic acid, derived from sugar cane, is the smallest acid in size, meaning the molecule can get deep into the skin," says Engelman.

This makes it a go-to for breaking down and removing dead skin cells and particles. It also boosts collagen and elastin production. As for lactic acid, Engelman says it's a good option for those with sensitive skin. It's derived from sour milk and works to improve discoloration and age spots. 

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“Retinoids are particularly helpful as they help to improve cell turnover, stimulate collagen, and regulate sebaceous glands,” board-certified dermatologist Rebecca Marcus, M.D., FAAD explains. 

However, retinol won’t work instantaneously. You’ll have to commit to using the product every few days for a good month or two before seeing peak smoothing results. "With continued usage of this ingredient and over time, you can see an improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, tone, and texture, as it is strengthening the skin barrier,” Engleman says. 

Now there’s more than one kind of retinol to consider—so read up on the differences between over-the-counter forms and prescription-grade products here. 

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4.

Anti-inflammatory topicals. 

As mentioned above, skin texture can be caused by inflammation. What triggers your inflammation is important to note (dehydration, rosacea, acne, etc.), but how you tame it is just as essential. 

To mitigate inflammation on the skin, look to soothing topicals. A few of the best ingredients to keep an eye out for include: 

 If you’re struggling to ease skin texture at home, you’re not alone. Especially deeper scars (like ice-pick acne scars) are nearly impossible to treat DIY-style. While this might make you feel discouraged at first, you should find peace knowing that assistance is available (plus, some much-needed reassurance that you’re probably doing all the right things). 

There are a few different methods to treating textured skin in the office—here’s a quick breakdown of some of the best. 

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Internal collagen support

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Plumping and hydrating ingredients. 

If your texture is caused by dry skin, or the texture of your skin creates sagging, then hyaluronic acid is a must-have in your lineup. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural humectant, which means it retains moisture. 

For HA, that's 1,000 times its weight in water. So, it's really hydrating. "It helps smooth the skin surface due to increasing the amount of water in the dead cell layer, which delivers moisture to dry, rough skin surface," Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD tells mbg.

Consider this hydrating acid like a tall glass of water for your skin. You can choose to use it in the form of a serum (like one of these mbg-approved picks) or look for hyaluronic acid in your moisturizers and face creams. 

Getting regular facials has a very long list of benefits, including maintaining a smooth complexion. Depending on what other skin concerns you have (dryness, acne, skin aging, etc.) what type of facial you get will differ. 

See when you visit a skin expert like an esthetician, they can help clear your dead skin cells via gentle exfoliation to reveal a fresh new canvas. Plus, the high-tech tools and professional-grade topicals might help you clear your texture even quicker. 

If you want to learn more about the different types of facials and which ones might be the best for your skin, check out this guide. 

"Enzymes work by ungluing stored-up dead cells at the skin surface and in the pores," Ciraldo says. "This could include bromelain from pineapple, pumpkin, or pomegranate." You can find enzymes in at-home products like masks and cleansers, or opt for a professional enzyme facial. 

These are particularly beneficial for those with eczema and rosacea, as classic exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs might be irritating for highly sensitive skin. 

Best products for textured skin

Prevention is always going to be easier than treatment. This doesn’t just mean preventing texture from the start, but also ensuring what texture you do have doesn’t get even worse. 

Especially if you’re putting time and effort into clearing your skin, you’ll want to do basic maintenance as well. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: 

As you can tell, there are plenty of at-home options for easing skin texture. That being said, not everything is DIY-friendly. It can make you feel even worse if you’re trying at-home remedies again and again with no success, so it’s important to know when to ask for help if you have access to it. 

Visiting a dermatologist can be immensely helpful for stubborn texture, like that of acne scars or even severe cases of rosacea that need to be treated with pro-grade treatments. Of course, trying at-home remedies first is a good idea, but visiting the experts might be just what your skin needs.