Your skin’s texture affects how skin looks and feels. Rough patches, dullness and bumps can appear at any stage in your life and for a lot of reasons. If you suffer from acne, you’re probably all too familiar with the struggles of texture and painful bumps.
Smoother-looking skin is the holy grail, and it comes with a host of benefits. Aside from the satisfying caress of your hand against a soft, smooth cheek, makeup goes on more easily and light reflects better when skin is smoother, so you also look more radiant.
Wrinkles and fine lines are a normal part of life but can be exacerbated by environmental factors like pollution and sun damage. Although wrinkles and fine lines can’t be reversed, the good news is some skin texture issues are related to the surface of the skin, so there’s no shortage of creams, peels, toners, and masks that can make a big difference. With that in mind, discover our top ten products to help skin become smoother.
1. Ultra Facial Cleanser
Clear away debris with this gentle cleanser
Smooth skin starts at the sink (or in the shower). As the first step in your skincare routine morning and night, it’s essential to thoroughly clear away dirt and debris, leaving no irritants to cause bumps or redness. Try washing your face with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser like Ultra Facial Cleanser. This pH-balanced formula, which contains olive-derived Squalane helps remove excess oil, dirt, and other impurities without stripping your skin’s natural moisture barrier. The non-drying formula is suitable for all skin types and can be used morning and night for clean, balanced, smooth skin. Find the right cleanser for your skin type here.
Kiehl’s Expert Tip: When washing your face, use cool or lukewarm water. Hot water can over-dry your skin, causing it to feel rough and flaky
2. Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion
This manual exfoliator is a key smoothing treatment
Rough skin texture and dullness often results from a build-up of dead skin cells. Manual exfoliation can help remove the dead cells, giving your skin a smoother look and feel. Reach for Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion two to three times per week. This powerful face scrub made with Glycerin instantly tackles rough patches, smooths the skin and helps facilitate better absorption of your topical treatments (like serums, face oils, and moisturisers). Regular use also helps improve the appearance of fine lines, enlarged pores, and pigmentation for clearer, smoother looking skin.
3. Milk-Peel Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Reveal a smooth, glowy look with this gentle exfoliator
Scrubs aren’t the only way to exfoliate your face. Chemical exfoliants (such as alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids) can help improve the appearance of uneven skin texture by dissolving dead skin cells. Use Milk-Peel Gentle Exfoliating Toner after washing your face each evening. The mild toner with lactic and lipo-hydroxy acids gently exfoliates while replenishing the skin’s natural moisture levels for a clear complexion and a smooth, comfortable feel.
4. Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
Target fine lines with a daily dose of RETINOL
As we get older skin becomes drier and less elastic thanks to hormones, a reduction in collagen production and plenty of other natural factors. Ultimately, we end up with uneven skin texture, fine lines and deeper wrinkles. While you can’t completely prevent wrinkles, the right anti-ageing routine can reduce their appearance. Retinol is a popular anti-ageing ingredient. Read more on Retinol fact vs fiction here.
Our lightweight face serum Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum is an ideal way to introduce Retinol into your routine. Rich in ceramides, the non-irritating formula absorbs quickly and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while minimising discomfort to reveal visibly smoother, more refined skin over time.
5. Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate
Quench thirsty skin with this targeted serum
Dryness is another common concern that can cause the skin to feel rough and uneven. To give rough skin the hydration it needs, we recommend applying Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate after cleansing every morning and night. Infused with Epidermal Hydration Filler and 15% Glycerin, this unique serum visibly plumps skin to smooth the appearance of fine lines and uneven skin texture. The ultra-gentle formula improves the appearance of tired-looking or dull skin due to age-related skin dehydration and is suitable for all skin types.
6. Avocado Creamy Eye Treatment
Treat the delicate under eye skin to target texture issues
There are so many reasons to try an eye cream or serum . The skin under your eyes is the thinnest on your entire body. As such, it’s uniquely vulnerable to the natural effects of ageing, including dryness, uneven tone and wrinkling. To keep your eye area looking and feeling its best, a hydrating eye cream is essential. We recommend Avocado Creamy Eye Treatment, which contains creamy Shea Butter and Avocado Oil. This Kiehl’s must-have provides long-lasting hydration and immediately improves the appearance of under-eye skin texture.
Kiehl’s Expert Tip: When applying your eye cream, warm the formula between your ring fingers, before using the same formula to apply. Tap the formula on instead of rubbing it in to avoid inadvertently stretching your skin.
7. Midnight Recovery Concentrate
Restore skin overnight with this rich, smoothing face oil
If you’re looking to visibly improve skin texture, a nourishing face oil is a must-try. Our beloved Midnight Recovery Concentrate quickly sinks in, deeply hydrating dry and dehydrated areas and working to improve overall skin tone. The moisturising face oil with Evening Primrose Oil and Lavender Essential Oil boosts essential moisture to help restore the appearance of dull, tired-looking skin. In one night, it visibly improves radiance and refines the skin’s texture, while continued use helps diminish the look of fine lines.
Kiehl’s Expert Tip: For an extra relaxing nighttime routine treat yourself to a quick five-minute facial massage after applying your oil.
8. Clearly Corrective Brightening & Smoothing Moisture Treatment
Meet the moisturiser created to tackle skin texture issues
For anyone looking to tackle skin tone as well as textural issues, Clearly Corrective Brightening & Smoothing Moisture Treatment is for you. This creamy moisturiser, which contains exfoliating Glycolic Acid and Activated C provides intense, continuous hydration for up to 24 hours. The clarifying formula is clinically-demonstrated to help correct the appearance of rough skin texture and pigmentation and can be used morning and night as part of your regular skincare routine.
9. Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask
Go the extra mile for your skin with this softening mask
No skincare routine is complete without a mask that you can apply when your skin needs a little extra care. Take a moment to relax while addressing your skin texture concerns with Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask. The creamy, grassy-hued formula helps seal in moisture to protect skin against water loss. It leaves skin feeling hydrated and softer, and with continued use helps keep the skin feel conditioned and supple.
10. Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA++++
Protect skin from UVA/UVB rays and pollution
Protect against the first signs of ageing with this lightweight facial sunscreen. With advanced UVA/UVB technology and pollution protection, our formula is quickly absorbed and leaves a comfortable, non-greasy finish. Excess sun exposure can lead to an uneven skin texture and increase pore size, so we recommend wearing SPF all-year round.