Searches for “how to get rid of textured skin” are up on Google with more of us looking for ways to get our complexion looking smooth. Before we get into it, it goes without saying that textured skin is completely normal. If you have a face and skin, chances are you'll experience a bit of texture at some point. It can be our face's way of doing the very necessary job of flushing out gunk, or it can be your complexion's reaction to a change in environment (very pertinent at the moment when the incoming cold weather has our skin bristling). That said, if it's affecting you and you'd like some expert advice on how to get rid of textured skin gently, without falling into some of the common mistakes the pros see all the time, we've got you.

According to Anastasia Koles, lead clinician and founder of ALTA Medi Clinic London, “textured skin is essentially when the surface of the skin looks or feels uneven rather than smooth and refined. It can show up as roughness, small bumps, enlarged or congested pores, dry patches or acne scarring, and you can often see it more clearly when the light catches the skin.”

Textured skin is an umbrella term. “There are lots of different types of texture, and that's important because the cause will determine how we treat it,” says Anastasia. “Someone with clogged pores, for example, needs a very different approach to someone whose texture is the result of acne scarring, dehydration or loss of collagen,” she adds.

As we've covered, there's more than one cause that can lead to textured skin, some can be fleeting and others more persistent. “There are so many reasons skin can become textured. It can be something relatively simple like dehydration or a build-up of dead skin cells, or it can be caused by congestion, acne and the scarring left behind after breakouts,” explains Anastasia.

“Ageing and sun exposure play a part too. As we get older, cell turnover slows and we gradually lose collagen, so the skin doesn't have quite the same smoothness and bounce. Years of UV exposure can accelerate that, which is why texture, pigmentation and fine lines often start appearing together,” Anastasia notes.

One lesson the pros agree on: less is more. “Trying too hard to get rid of it is probably one of the biggest things I see,” reveals Anastasia. “People feel bumps or roughness and immediately start scrubbing, exfoliating and layering acids, which can leave the skin irritated and make the texture even more noticeable,” she says. “You don't need three different acids, a scrub and a retinoid all in the same evening. If your skin is constantly red, tight, flaky or stinging, it's usually telling you to pull things back,” she adds.

Orsi Matheisz, advanced skin aesthetician and founder of Orskin Aesthetics agrees. “I see many patients with inflammation and weakened skin barriers simply because they've been using the wrong combination of AHAs and BHAs, so if you're unsure, it's worth having your skin properly assessed rather than experimenting with multiple acids at home,” she says. Remember when in doubt, start low and slow, introducing one exfoliating active a couple of times a week, then seeing how your skin responds from there.

Another goof? “Picking and squeezing,” says Anastasia. “That's a big one. Particularly if you're prone to breakouts, because that's when you can start creating pigmentation and scarring,” she explains.

Once you've identified the cause of the texture there are some tried-and-tested steps you can take to address it. If you're treating your skin at home, you'll likely want to introduce an exfoliating acid and there are two main types: AHAs which work on the surface of the skin (such as glycolic acid, lactic acid and mandelic acid) or BHAs which work deeper into pores (such as salicylic acid).

“Acids can sound incredibly straightforward because they're so easy to buy, but the right acid, strength and frequency will be different for every skin,” warns Orsi. “I would be particularly cautious with stronger percentages of glycolic acid in darker skin tones, where irritation and inflammation can increase the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” she says.

And since they can be drying on skin, they're best used in partnership with a nourishing serum or moisturiser. “Whenever we're using acids, we also need to think about supporting the skin barrier and microbiome. I like to incorporate something such as SIV serum alongside active ingredients to help keep the skin balanced and supported,” Orsi says.

Here's a top line of common causes of textured skin and the best treatments.

One of the most common causes of texture is congestion, and salicylic acid is a well-established treatment for a reason. “For congestion, a well-formulated salicylic acid product can work really well because it can get into the pores and help clear excess oil, dead skin and debris,” says Orsi. “However, you do need to be careful not to overuse it. I wouldn't use salicylic acid in multiple stages of the same routine or necessarily use it every day as it can be far too harsh and may leave the skin inflamed with a weakened barrier,” she warns. As we mentioned above, “more isn't always better with acids, and over-exfoliation is one of the most common reasons I see patients coming into clinic with inflammation and a compromised skin barrier,” says Orsi. So go gentle with it, starting a couple of times a week.

“Dull, rough texture can also be a sign that the skin needs both exfoliation and hydration. Lactic acid is particularly good for dehydrated skin because it gently removes dead skin cells while also helping to attract moisture to the skin,” says Orsi. “One product I really like is the Environ Revival Masque, which contains a combination of lactic, mandelic and asiatic acids. It can also be used as an overnight mask and is a lovely option for helping with congestion, dead skin build-up and hydration.”

If you have stubborn or historic texture that's hard to shift, you may want to think about a more powerful professional treatment. “For more established texture, particularly acne scarring, in-clinic treatments such as microneedling, fractional lasers and resurfacing treatments can make a much bigger difference because we're encouraging the skin to remodel and produce new collagen,” says Orsi.

Finally, as a good rule of thumb for most skin types from your mid-to-late 20s, “I'd also consider introducing a retinoid at night, building up gradually, alongside a good moisturiser and daily SPF 50,” says Orsi.