11 Products To Smooth and Even Out Textured Skin

Best Products For Textured Skin

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We part with completely smooth, even skin when we grow out of our baby skin. Whether we like it or not, we do have and will always have skin texture irregularities. It took me years to accept that. During those times when I was trying to achieve the skin of my dreams, I ended up trying out every single skincare ingredient on god’s green earth. And while I made peace with my skin, I realized that uneven skin texture is preventable, manageable, and even treatable when you have the right skincare products for textured skin. It all depends on the cause!

But first, let’s go over what it means to have textured skin. Because it’s a general term that refers to numerous things. Textured skin is bumpy, uneven skin. And things that make your skin look uneven can be anything from acne to enlarged pores, to raised bumps, milia, and wrinkles.

So the cause of uneven skin texture varies. If your oil glands are overly active, that excess oil can clog pores and give you blackheads and even acne as well as large pores. If you’re being lazy with your skin’s upkeep, dead skin cells can build up on the surface giving you uneven skin texture. If you don’t wear sunscreen regularly, you can end up with rough skin texture with deep wrinkles.

As you can infer, smoothing out and improving skin texture is about addressing the cause! Over the years, I tried several active ingredients and treatment products to help with my bumpy skin, clogged and enlarged pores, and wrinkles. And below, I listed down the ingredients that help smooth out uneven skin texture and the best skincare products for textured skin. Dig in!

Ingredients That Help Textured Skin

There are certain skincare ingredients that help smooth uneven skin texture. And depending on the skin concern that gives you uneven skin texture, you can make use of one or more of them. Here are the most effective ingredients to treat textured skin.

Retinoids

This is the umbrella term that refers to vitamin A derivatives (1). Some over-the-counter retinoids are retinol and retinaldehyde. And a prescription option you can get by visiting a dermatologist is tretinoin. Retinoids accelerate skin turnover rate, stimulate collagen production, and help resurface skin for a healthier, smoother surface. Retinoids are used for smoothing out wrinkles, getting rid of acne, and softening the skin texture. For that reason, retinoids are the most effective ingredients to smooth out skin texture caused by a variety of skin issues.

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids

Alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid and lactic acid exfoliate your skin (2). They dissolve the glue that holds the dead skin cells together. By helping them shed off, they accelerate skin turnover and nudge the skin into producing new, healthy skin cells.

Beta-Hydroxy Acids

Beta-hydroxy acids like salicylic acid are also exfoliants. The only difference is that salicylic acid is oil-soluble and more effective in clearing up clogged pores and blackheads. It’s also anti-inflammatory (3). So if your uneven skin texture is caused by acne and acne bumps, you can use salicylic acid.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is also known as vitamin B3 in skincare (4). It helps the skin produce ceramides, which keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. It also helps control excess oil and soften the appearance of large pores. Other benefits of it include calming inflammation and providing antioxidant benefits. So if you need a less aggressive way to help smooth out your skin texture and you’re mainly dealing with rough skin and large pores, niacinamide is going to help a lot.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is also an easy, gentle way to smooth skin texture. It’s a humectant that increases the water content in the skin (5). And it gives a temporary plumping effect to the skin. As a result, it gives you soft, smooth, and plump skin.

The Best Skincare Products For Textured Skin

Now that you know what actually works, scroll down for products to tackle textured skin.

1. Caudalie Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser

Caudalie Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser - Best Products For Textured Skin

An exfoliating cleanser is the easiest way to quickly calm and fade inflamed acne. And this exfoliating salicylic acid cleanser is one of the gentlest ones I’ve tried. I started using it when I first started using the salicylic acid serum in the same line and I love it. And to my surprise, the two did not increase irritation.

The salicylic acid cleanser is infused with calming aloe, antioxidant-rich grape water, and skin-toning essential oils. The gel-based formula lightly foams and cleans up the skin. And with the help of salicylic acid, you’ll see the difference in your acne and even acne rosacea the next day. So if you have congested skin, blackheads, acne, and bumps, use the cleanser once or twice a day to help smooth out bumpy skin fast. And oh, it smells amazing!

What It Is: Exfoliating gel cleanser
What It Has: Salicylic acid, grape water, aloe
What It Does: Cleans up pores, reduces acne, tightens pores
Skin Type: Combination, oily, acne-prone
Size: 5 oz/150 ml
Good To Know: 99% natural ingredients, vegan, cruelty-free

2. L’Oreal Revitalift Derm Intensives 5% Pure Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner

L'Oreal Revitalift Derm Intensives 5% Pure Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner

This is a beginner-friendly glycolic acid toner to slowly help resurface the skin. It’s made with 5% glycolic acid and aloe. And ingredient-wise, it’s pretty similar to Pixi Glow Tonic, which is also a great option, by the way. Its water-like, thin consistency is super gentle on the skin.

It feels a bit sticky at first, but the feeling goes away very quickly. Whether you have dull skin from sun damage, wrinkles from aging, or bumps from closed pores, the toner is gentle enough for daily use.

What It Is: Exfoliating face toner
What It Has: Glycolic acid, aloe, vitamin B5
What It Does: Smooths skin texture, brightens
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 6 oz/180 ml
Good To Know: Fragrance-free, alcohol-free

3. La Roche Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum

La Roche Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum - Best Products For Textured Skin

If you’re an overthinker like me, your daily routine probably involves stressing about things like a weird amount. And trust me when I say that stress breakouts are something else! I don’t mean literally but it’s like I didn’t know my skin had it in it! It’ll break out in all the weird places and in weird shapes and sizes that popping them away is like angering them!

If this sounds too familiar, a salicylic acid serum is all you need! Because sometimes, retinol can cause purging, and even if it’s temporary, it may worsen your acne. So if you’re not willing to take any chances, this serum is just amazing for textured skin and pores! It’s 1.5% salicylic acid combined with glycolic acid and niacinamide. So it comes at acne from all angles.

What It Is: Exfoliating face serum
What It Has: Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide, lipo-hydroxy acid
What It Does: Treats and prevents acne, controls oil, unclogs pores
Skin Type: All skin types, especially acne-prone
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Paraben-free

4. Estee Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Renewal Retinol Treatment

Estee Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Renewal Retinol Treatment

Again, retinol is one of the most effective ingredients to smooth skin texture no matter the cause. It’s like a catch-all ingredient that multi-tasks. And this retinol serum is amazing for people with aging skin that has more than one skin concern. It contains encapsulated retinol for slow release, which is for avoiding irritation.

It has a nice moisturizing base packed with antioxidants like vitamins C and E, wrinkle-smoothing Argireline, and skin-firming caffeine. So it has both short-term and long-term benefits. The fast-absorbing formula gives softer skin immediately and smoother skin with consistent use. You won’t see peeling but you’ll see healthier skin.

What It Is: Retinol serum
What It Has: Retinol, Argireline, vitamin C, vitamin E, caffeine
What It Does: Increases skin turnover rate to even out textured skin
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Non-comedogenic

Related: Best Retinol Products For Sensitive Skin

5. Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum

Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum - Best Products For Textured Skin

And speaking of aging skin, we all know that unprotected sun exposure accelerates skin aging by damaging healthy collagen cells. As a result, it gives you rough skin texture, wrinkles, as well as hyperpigmentation. And nothing works better and gentler for hyperpigmentation than vitamin C.

This antioxidant serum is made with 12.5% vitamin C and helps reverse sun damage in the skin and softens skin texture. All thanks to vitamin C, it also increases collagen production, helps with wrinkles, and softens dark spots. The gentle serum is also infused with hyaluronic acid for instantly plump skin. It’s very creamy, smells amazing, and leaves your skin glowing!

Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum Image by Ejollify
Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Vitamin C Serum/Ejollify

What It Is: Vitamin C serum
What It Has: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid
What It Does: Prevents future skin damage, helps smooth skin texture and tone
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Paraben-free, alcohol-free

6. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

This is the most budget-friendly niacinamide serum out there. And it’s made with a high concentration of the active ingredient. If you have excess oil, large and visible pores, and you don’t like to try out other ingredients such as salicylic acid, this is for you.

The minimal, water-based formula also contains zinc for its anti-bacterial benefits. With consistent use, the serum minimizes excess oil and prevents clogged pores. That way, you have smoother skin with less visible texture. On a side note, niacinamide is also helpful in brightening skin. So if you have stubborn marks from acne, this will help with that too.

What It Is: Daily face serum
What It Has: Niacinamide, zinc
What It Does: Hydrates, smoothes skin texture, brightens
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free, alcohol-free, oil-free

7. Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment - Best Products For Textured Skin

While glycolic acid and salicylic acid are two of the most popular hydroxy acids, a gentler alpha hydroxy acid may be the better choice for people with sensitive skin. And that’s lactic acid. In addition to gently exfoliating and minimizing skin texture irregularities, it also works as a humectant and hydrates your skin.

This lactic acid exfoliating serum is an effective formula and offers additional benefits like brightening the skin tone too. Its creamy consistency replenishes the skin and refines skin texture without irritating or peeling. On a side note, if you have sensitive skin but you’re on a budget, there are drugstore lactic acid products that deliver equally satisfying results.

What It Is: Exfoliating face serum
What It Has: Lactic acid, licorice extract, prickly pear extract
What It Does: Exfoliates to treat textured skin, reduces fine lines, acne, dark spots
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

8. Lancome UV Expert Defense Aquagel SPF 50+ Primer & Moisturizer

Lancome UV Expert Defense Aquagel SPF 50+ Primer & Moisturizer

While active ingredients like retinol or glycolic acid are for corrective measures, a broad-spectrum sunscreen is for prevention. So no matter what you use or don’t use, make it a habit to wear sunscreen daily to maintain healthy skin and prevent future skin damage. This is one of my all-time favorites.

It’s a chemical sunscreen with a very lightweight consistency. There’s no oily or greasy after-feel and because it’s a chemical sunscreen, there is no white cast. Also, it doesn’t pill and it pairs well with every single skincare and makeup product I’ve ever used. It’s gentle enough that I even use it around my eyes.

What It Is: Sunscreen
What It Has: Chemical SPF, vitamin E, moringa extract
What It Does: Protects skin against free radicals, doubles as a moisturizer
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Paraben-free

9. Avene PhysioLift Smoothing Plumping Serum

Avene PhysioLift Smoothing Plumping Serum - Best Products For Textured Skin

This is actually a hyaluronic acid serum. But it’s very different than most other hyaluronic acid serums you’ll see on the market. The texture of it is pretty thick and lotion-like.

It wraps your skin up and hydrates it with hyaluronic acid in different molecular weights. It has antioxidant vitamin E and moisturizing brown algae. It plumps up your skin so beautifully that it instantly looks smoother and softer.

What It Is: Hydrating face serum
What It Has: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, thermal water
What It Does: Hydrates, plumps and softens skin
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1.01 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Paraben-free, vegan, non-comedogenic

10. Glamglow Supermud Charcoal Instant Treatment Mask

Glamglow Supermud Charcoal Instant Treatment Mask

This is one of my favorite face masks for pores because it has a blend of hydroxy acids all wrapped into a charcoal base. Besides glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids, it also contains mandelic, and tartaric acids.

It mattifies your complexion with clay and draws out dirt and grime stuck inside the pores. And all thanks to the acid blend, it helps with congested skin, large pores, flaky skin, and rough skin texture. If you need a quick fix, this is going to help a lot.

What It Is: Face mask
What It Has: Charcoal, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid
What It Does: Exfoliates, balances oil, refines pores, smoothes skin texture
Skin Type: All skin types, except for very sensitive skin
Size: 1.7 oz/50 g

11. Lancome Absolue Soft Cream Moisturizer

Lancome Absolue Soft Cream Moisturizer

Let me tell you something, I’ve never seen anything like this, ever! This seemingly purely feel-good moisturizer has such an amazing formula, texture, and finish that it gives me glowing, smooth, and supple skin immediately! Its rich base is intimidating with all that shea butter and oils. But once you apply it, you see that it’s not heavy.

It’s made with a derivative of salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin. And it contains proxylane to tone the skin and make it bouncy and plump. Its dewy finish leaves your skin looking glowy and feeling tighter and firmer. I used it days in a row and it didn’t break me out once! It’s not made with heavy active ingredients. So if you want something gentle for prevention and maintenance, this is an amazing moisturizer for textured skin.

What It Is: Daily moisturizer
What It Has: Salicylic acid, proxylane, grand rose extract
What It Does: Exfoliates, illuminates, and plumps skin, softens skin texture
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Paraben-free

So these are some of the best products to even out textured skin. All of these serums and creams will work as corrective products whereas sunscreen is going to be the most effective one when it comes to prevention. So whichever way you decide to go, make sure it involves using sunscreen regularly.

FAQs

References:

  1. Zasada, M., & Budzisz, E. (2019). Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments. Postepy dermatologii i alergologii36(4), 392–397. https://doi.org/10.5114/ada.2019.87443
  2. Moghimipour E. (2012). Hydroxy Acids, the Most Widely Used Anti-aging AgentsJundishapur journal of natural pharmaceutical products7(1), 9–10.
  3. Lu, J., Cong, T., Wen, X., Li, X., Du, D., He, G., & Jiang, X. (2019). Salicylic acid treats acne vulgaris by suppressing AMPK/SREBP1 pathway in sebocytes. Experimental dermatology28(7), 786–794. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.13934
  4. Bissett, D. L., Oblong, J. E., & Berge, C. A. (2005). Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]31(7 Pt 2), 860–865. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732
  5. Juncan, A. M., Moisă, D. G., Santini, A., Morgovan, C., Rus, L. L., Vonica-Țincu, A. L., & Loghin, F. (2021). Advantages of Hyaluronic Acid and Its Combination with Other Bioactive Ingredients in Cosmeceuticals. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)26(15), 4429. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154429
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