For the majority of my almost-thirtysomething years(!), occasional breakouts have been the extent of my skincare issues. I’ve never known the pain of debilitating cystic acne, psoriasis or eczema, something I feel very fortunate for. In fact, I’d never even seen a dermatologist until my early 20s. Skin care has always been the part of my beauty routine I experiment with most simply because my skin is Teflon against pretty much anything and everything… or so I thought.
During two recent appointments, including one during which a fancy machine measured all aspects of my skin (brightness, UV exposure, wrinkles, etc.), I was told that “texture” is something I need a little help with. Immediately, I was confused because as far as I’m concerned, my skin is pretty damn smooth. But this is one of those skin factors that isn’t as apparent as, say, acne or redness because it really starts underneath the surface and sort of sneaks its way in. For instance, while my skin isn’t rough or bumpy, it does appear lighter in my T-zone and darker toward my hairline. Not only is that discoloration, according to my facialist, it’s also a telltale sign of uneven texture. So, how do you fix something that isn’t always so easy to detect?
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Who better to answer that question than Shani Darden? In addition to having a top-selling namesake collection of her own, she’s the trusted aesthetician for a handful of celebs, including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jessica Alba and Kelly Rowland. Ahead is her advice for rehabbing skin with uneven texture.
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What is “texture”?
When describing skin texture, we’re simply talking about how smooth the surface of the skin is. According to Darden, skin with even, smooth texture is well-hydrated and without clogged pores or raised bumps. There are a number of factors that can cause the skin to feel rough or look dull; the most common being rosacea, acne, chronic sun exposure and extreme dryness. But overall, an excess of dead skin cell buildup is the usual culprit, which brings us to the easiest treatment method.
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How to improve
Since cellular turnover is what brings new, fresh skin to the surface and keeps it in tip-top shape, Darden says frequent exfoliation is what will ultimately keep your texture on point. There are a couple of different ways you can go about this.
Professional Treatments
If you have access to a facialist, aesthetician, derm or other skin care experts, there are a number of skin-resurfacing treatments that smooth the skin at an accelerated pace. For instance, during a chemical peel, a prepared solution of acids and/or enzymes is applied and left on the skin for minutes. The type of peel you get will be determined by which skin issue is being directly addressed.
During microdermabrasion, top layers of the skin are exfoliated with a slightly abrasive tool to diminish dark spots, acne scars, and other skin marks that contribute to uneven texture. And according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it also thickens collagen, so your skin looks and feels plumper.
Laser skin resurfacing is another skin-smoothing treatment that can be performed by a skin expert. This is slightly more intense than microdermabrasion, as beams of light are directed toward the skin to remove damaged skin from both the epidermis (outer layer) and dermis (inner layers).
Lifestyle changes
If lasers and sharp tools aren’t your jam, there is also a slew of simple lifestyle changes you can make, including a consistent sleep schedule, exercise and healthy diet. For a more streamlined approached, start by working this set of skin- and hair-specific smoothies into your daily meal schedule.
At-home exfoliation
At-home exfoliation can be broken down into two main categories: mechanical and chemical. The former refers to actual tools, such as a Clarisonic brush, as well as natural ingredients with exfoliating properties, like salt or sugar. Chemical exfoliants are just that: actual chemicals that aid in cell turnover. And according to Darden, these are the most effective ways to treat uneven skin texture.
“I think that using a combination of retinol, alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids will make a huge difference in the texture and health of your skin,” says Darden. “Alpha-hydroxy acids get rid of dead skin surrounding the pore, and beta-hydroxy acids will dissolve the buildup inside pores to prevent them from turning into zits.”
The most common types of AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid. The most popular BHA is salicylic acid. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that mainly boosts collagen production (hello, plumpness!) but can also correct discoloration and breakouts.
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Frequency > skin type
As we’ve noted before, certain acids are best for certain skin types. We can all benefit from chemical exfoliation; it’s simply a matter of knowing how much of each one your skin can tolerate.
“I think what it comes down to more is the frequency with which you use the products. Retinol and AHAs/BHAs are the superstars of skin texture, and some might find that they can only tolerate using a retinol serum a couple nights a week,” says Darden. “Other people may find that they’re able to use it nightly.”
She generally recommends using a chemical exfoliator one to two times a week, with the second time being determined by whether your skin can tolerate it. There is a plethora of ways you can get your exfoliation fix, whether it’s through a product that contains just one type of chemical or some combination of all three. For instance, Darden’s Texture Reform contains a form of retinol as well as an AHA.
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“I developed Texture Reform to address the various concerns that can affect the texture of your skin. It’s amazing for antiaging and helping with acne as well. It contains retinyl palmitate, which is an incredible ingredient that will boost collagen in the skin and increase cellular turnover. It also contains lactic acid, which is an alpha-hydroxy acid that will exfoliate the layer of dead skin on the surface to reveal brighter, smoother skin.”
Ultimately, it all boils down to trial and error until you find what works best for you, but Darden’s foolproof tips definitely lay the groundwork. Until then, peruse three of the newest skin-smoothing products below.
Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel
The non-stripping cleanser made with willow bark, a form of salicylic acid, gently lifts dead skin cells off the face without completely stripping it of natural oils and moisture.
Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel, $38 at Dr Dennis Gross
Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion
This polishing cream, meant for use just two to three times a week, is made with a mix of exfoliators and natural moisturizers (like shea butter) to provide the same skin-smoothing benefits of a professional microdermabrasion treatment.
Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion, $41 at Kiehl’s
La Mer The Replenishing Oil Exfoliator
This luxe facial scrub is made with a slew of mechanical exfoliators, including sea kelp fibers and sugar crystals, to detoxify and brighten a dull complexion.
The Replenishing Oil Exfoliator, $125 at La Mer
Originally posted on StyleCaster.
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