You’ve got your skincare routine on lock. Maybe you’ve mastered acne scars after years of pain. Maybe pimples are finally a thing of the past. But what about your skin texture? For some, seeing uneven patches or oversized pores can be a frustrating daily occurrence.
“Skin texture is essentially a measure of how smooth your skin feels,” explains Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, M.D., founder of Mudgil Dermatology in NYC. Skin with good texture is smooth and soft to the touch. (Think Alicia Keys, a dolphin meme on Instagram, and a delicious glazed donut.)
Bad skin texture is equally as easy to notice. “Bad skin texture is rough and uneven,” says Dr. Mudgil. “Buildup of dead skin cells can make the skin feel and look uneven. Enlarged pores and the effects of years of sun-exposure can also affect our skin’s texture.”
But don’t let your texture get you down. “Preventive steps are really number one,” says Dr. Mudgil. And if getting ahead of the problem is a thing of the past, Dr. Mudgil adds that options like laser treatments can help to improve one’s skin surface.
Below, Dr. Mudgil shares the best tips and tricks for improving your skin texture.
Wear sunscreen
I’ve personally written about the necessity of applying sunscreen five (here, here, here, here and here) times for ELLE.com. Sun exposure is the number one culprit of uneven skin tone and enlarged pores.
Avoid smoking
Did the DARE program do nothing for you? Stop smoking. If you can’t do it for your family or your friends, do it for your skin.
Exfoliate
“Periodically exfoliating helps improve your skin texture,” says Dr. Mudgil. “Exfoliate with either a gentle peel or exfoliating wash.” Another great option is to visit your dermatologist for a chemical peel. If you prefer to exfoliate at home, use this helpful guide to finding the best exfoliator for your skin type.
Moisturize
Moisturizers work to prevent the skin from becoming too dry or producing excess oils. Keeping your skin balanced will in turn keep your skin texture balanced. A win, win.
Try a laser treatment
“Laser treatments like fractional resurfacing work wonders for improving skin texture,” says Dr. Mudgil. If you feel that your skin texture hasn’t improved with at-home care, it’s best to consult your dermatologist to determine the skin treatment that’s best for you.