9 Of The Best Tips for Smooth Skin Texture, According to Dermatologists 

Thankfully, there are a slew of products and in-office treatments that can help renew and improve the texture of your skin. From topical acids to facials, keep reading to find dermatologist-approved tips for getting smooth and even skin: 

Bottom line: Sunscreen is nonnegotiable. 

And with better collagen production comes smoother skin overall. Your skin needs collagen to remain healthy, plump, and glowing. Without collagen, it'll sag, look dull, and encourage premature aging. 

The most popular of the AHA family are glycolic acid and lactic acid. "Glycolic acid, derived from sugar cane, is the smallest acid in size, meaning the molecule can get deep into the skin," says Engelman. This makes it a go-to for breaking down and removing dead skin cells and particles. It also boosts collagen and elastin production. As for lactic acid, Engelman says it's a good option for those with sensitive skin. It's derived from sour milk and works to improve discoloration and age spots. 

And if you're a retinol newbie or have sensitive skin, the key is starting with a gentler formula that won't irritate. Engelman says skin does become tolerant to the initial effects of retinols over time, so sensitive skin can be trained to tolerate this vitamin A derivative. But it is important to know that retinol should not be used if you are pregnant. 

If your texture issues are caused by dry skin, hyaluronic acid could be the ingredient for you. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural humectant, which means it retains moisture. For HA, that's 1,000 times its weight in water. So, it's really hydrating. "It helps smooth the skin surface due to increasing the amount of water in the dead cell layer, which delivers moisture to dry, rough skin surface," says Ciraldo. Consider this hydrating acid like a tall glass of water for your skin. 

These days there's a facial for every type of skin concern. Ciraldo recommends enzyme facials to address texture concerns. "Enzymes work by ungluing stored-up dead cells at the skin surface and in the pores," she says. "This could include bromelain from pineapple, pumpkin, or pomegranate." These types of facials have the best results if performed in a series and have no downtime for flaking or peeling. 

Another in-office procedure to help even out rough skin texture is dermaplaning. "Dermaplaning uses a blade to physically remove dead cells from the surface of the skin," says Ciraldo. But she warns that this procedure should be done with great caution and is better left up to the pros. "Leave this to someone who has years of experience with the procedure, and don't do it on sensitive skin," she warns. Although the results of dermaplaning, when done professionally, can be baby soft, radiant skin, if done incorrectly, there can be a risk of scarring. 

Engelman adds that even though these pads can be useful for sloughing off dead skin, it's important not to overuse them. "I have patients who start using exfoliating pads, and the results after the first use are so amazing, they use it every day," she says. "By day four, they come to me with dry, irritated skin." Engelman suggests starting with every other day only once a day and work up to being able to use more frequently if needed. 

Like retinol, chemical peels sound scarier than they actually are. In fact, they're actually made for addressing texture and tone concerns. This in-office treatment uses a highly concentrated chemical exfoliant on the skin and can vary in strength. Most experts will start with a gentle peel to ensure the skin doesn't have any negative reactions. The real magic happens post-treatment. Over the next two weeks following your peel, you may notice your skin starting to peel. Don't worry, unless you've gotten a super-strength version, this isn't as intimidating as it sounds. It almost resembles the peeling of a sunburn. The peeling of the skin helps to remove the top layers, revealing youthful, fresh, and radiant skin in just weeks. It's a great way to help eliminate any surface texture issues. Engelman believes chemical peels are an immediate way to address texture issues.