4 Ways to Take Your Face from Textured to Flawless Finish
By Allison Lax
It’s what we search for the most, and want most for our face….glass skin. Let’s achieve it, shall we?
Since the K-beauty buzz-term “glass skin” was introduced to the zeitgeist in 2017, skincare girlies all around the globe have chased that smooth, bump-free glow like their little pores depend on it. Which is why it’s such a bummer when texture issues—a common problem—get in the way! When clogged pores or fine lines enter the chat, it’s easy for beauty-lovers to get discouraged and overwhelmed. With so many products and 12-step-routines out there promising to deliver poreless perfection, what is there to do?
Point is, there may be a reason your boyfriend’s all-in-one face/body/carwash routine is working so well for him. While we certainly don’t recommend going to that extreme, there is truth to the old adage: sometimes, less really is more. Resist the temptation to try *everything* on this list; instead, start with a rec (or two) that sounds best for you! Read on to explore 4 ways of tackling texture tribulations and the best skincare brands to help you get there.
Retinoids / Retinol
If you google “how to fix skin texture issues,” retinoids and retinol (retinoid’s less potent, over-the-counter cousin)” are bound to be among the first results. A class of chemical compounds derived from Vitamin A, retinoids have been clinically proven to stimulate collagen production and promote cell turnover—an important bodily process that slows as we age but is necessary to keep skin smooth and clear. While most retinoids are only available by prescription, Differin Gel (which contains the retinoid Adapalene) is the exception to the rule. It’s powerful stuff, so start slow—apply a thin layer to a clean, dry face, following up with moisturizer. If you’re looking to dip your toe in with retinol, look no further than Byoma Skincare’s Sensitive Retinol Oil, which also nourishes the skin barrier!
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LED Devices
While they may look like something out of a sci-fi film, LED devices are a legit way to reduce skin texture and boost luminosity. Using technology originally developed by NASA to accelerate wound healing in astronauts, these handy tools rely on various colors and wavelengths of light to achieve different desired effects in the skin. If your texture is caused by clogged pores, reach for a gadget with blue light, which eliminates acne-causing bacteria. If fine lines are a bigger concern, go for a mix of red and infrared as these will create a plumping effect to correct and prevent wrinkles. Though they’re not exactly cheap, investing in a home-ready mask such as the viral Omnilux Contour Mask or handheld attachment like LightStim for Acne is a clinically proven way to kick skin texture to the curb.
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Acids / Chemical Exfoliants
To BHA, or AHA? That’s the question Hamlet was asking (right?). Jokes aside, chemical exfoliants are a tried and true way of safely removing dead skin cells. Not to mention how much safer they are than their physical scrub counterparts! BHAs (think salicylic acid) are best for going deep into clogged pores to clear out the gunk, while AHAs (glycolic and mandelic being the most common) are going to work closer to the surface of your skin, refining that texture and making you *glow*. The best part is that these acids can be found in cleansers, toners, serums, and more, making them easy to integrate into your current routine if you’re a one-and-done kind of girl. Circadia Skincare’s Cleansing Gel with Mandelic Acid is our pick to eliminate blemishes and reduce texture.
Barrier Repair
Too much of a good thing is never, well, good, and the same philosophy applies to skincare. If you’ve recently become overzealous with product usage and have the inflamed, bumpy texture to show for it, put down the actives (yes, really!) and give your skin a break. By focusing on repairing your moisture barrier—the outermost layer of the skin that provides protection from free radicals and controls your natural oils—irritation will decrease, allowing your skin to heal. A moisturizing barrier repair cream such as La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 will help seal in hydration, returning your face to that smooth, glass skin glow.