Rough skin can be, well, rough. While we all crave silky smooth skin, a variety of factors — from environmental to behavioral — can keep us from getting there.
What Causes Rough Skin?
Before we jump into how to remedy rough skin, let’s understand what causes it in the first place. Whether it’s a result of a damaged skin barrier lacking in lipid moisture, chronic rubbing, Keratosis Pilaris (aka rough follicles associated with eczema, but also seen postpartum), or chronic exposure to water or other irritants, rough skin can mean a lot of things.
The ingredients in your skincare products may be contributing to rough, dry skin. To be on the safe side, avoid any potentially irritating ingredients like denatured alcohol.” Another culprit? “A lack of sun protection. “Prolonged UVA exposure damages the collagen fibers in the skin which can lead to dry, rough, and leathery skin,” as well as, “environmental factors such as low humidity or cold dry winds.” And while exfoliation is an important step in your skincare routine. Over-exfoliation from overuse of chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHA (beta hydroxy acid) and/or physical exfoliants (e.g. cleansing brushes and scrubs) can cause redness as well as a feeling of ‘tightness’, sensitivity, and dryness.
Over your lifetime, your skin will go through many changes that affect and alter its surface. These are the most common causes of uneven skin texture.
Dryness
Dryness is a common cause of uneven skin texture. Dry skin is characterised by an inadequate supply of oils and lipids, which lubricate the skin and keep its moisture barrier intact. Lacking enough moisture, dry skin has difficulty turning over and properly shedding its cells. This causes dead skin cells to build upon the skin’s surface, making it appear rough, flaky and dull.
Smoothing dry skin is as simple as mastering two steps in your skincare routine: exfoliating and moisturising. Regular exfoliation with a physical or chemical exfoliant sloughs dead cells from the skin’s surface and clears the way for healthy cells hidden beneath. Follow up with a moisturizer that is rich in triglycerides and fatty acids; these beneficial ingredients not only replenish moisture; they also strengthen your skin’s lipid barrier. Together, these steps keep skin soft, smooth and supple for longer.
Acne
The most prominent symptom of acne is the change it makes to the skin’s surface. From small raised bumps to large inflamed comedones, all types of blemishes can cause a bumpy and irregular skin texture. Depending on the severity of your acne, these could be isolated to one area or cover your entire complexion.
One feature of acne-prone skin is that it doesn’t turn over efficiently; pores become congested and the combination of oil, dead skin and bacteria leads to breakouts. Acne is triggered by a mix of factors, including excess oil, bacteria, hormones and genetics. One feature of acne-prone skin is that it doesn’t turn over efficiently; pores become congested and the combination of oil, dead skin and bacteria leads to breakouts. Salicylic acid has a long history of treating acne effectively and efficiently. This gentle BHA clears blocked pores, calms angry skin and prevents future breakouts. With regular use, it contributes to a smoother, more even complexion.
Acne Scarring
If you’re prone to picking and popping, acne scars may emerge on your complexion. As blemishes heal, your skin elicits an inflammatory response to repair the damaged tissue. This disrupts the production and structure of collagen, causing indented scars to sink into the skin. These typically present as ice pick, boxcar and/or rolling scars that disrupt an otherwise smooth surface.
You can improve the look of acne scars with a two-pronged approach that both resurfaces and plumps your skin’s texture. Look for natural exfoliators with AHA’s to refine your skin’s surface as well as ingredients like Vitamin C and botanical hyaluronic acid to improve elasticity and plump your complexion.
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
As you age, your skin’s stores of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid deplete. Additionally, skin cell turnover slows, and your complexion becomes increasingly dry and rough. Without enough structural support, your skin may develop a variety of wrinkles, from crow’s feet and laugh lines to crepey skin and gravitational folds. Each of these affects your skin’s texture, causing its surface to wrinkle and crease.
