Let’s be real here—textured, bumpy uneven skin can be a bit frustrating (and not to mention difficult!) to deal with for some people. If you are one of those people and want to treat bumpy skin, there are some things you can do to get your skin looking smoother. First things first, it helps to figure out what “textured” skin really is. “Everyone has texture on their skin, but most people have a consistent texture,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology. “Inconsistent texture can be caused by a few factors, including genetics, environment, and potential skin conditions. Someone with ‘textured skin’ is someone who has bumps and possibly valleys on their face that makes their skin look uneven. Most commonly, texture is caused by clogged pores, active acne, and acne scarring.” Other causes or factors include aging, dry skin, under-exfoliation, UV damage, smoking, genetics, pollution, a disrupted skin barrier, and conditions like keratosis pilaris and eczema on the body.
Whew, that’s a lot of different causes, right? And because there are a lot of causes, the way you treat those bumps and unevenness can vary. But it’s important to note that texture can be normal. “It’s also very important to me that we normalize texture to a degree,” says David Delport, skincare expert and Ren Clean Skincare global ambassador. “We all have days where we feel our skin isn’t as smooth as it could be, and skin does change day to day! Texture is very common and does not mean your skin is unattractive or even unhealthy. A greater concern is clients rushing out to create ‘glass-like’ skin that is falsely promoted on social media and in the process damaging their skin barrier, which, long-term, might cause accelerated aging and inflammation and open you up to the far more dangerous risk of UV damage.”
It’s all about figuring out a routine that works for your specific skin needs and helps you feel and look your best (not perfect, because who is?).