Worried about rough skin? These are the 3 products you NEED in your routine ASAP
Long before glass skin became a trend, I had already been longing for clear and smooth skin. I struggle with hormonal acne, and I’ve inherited my parents’ skin issues like uneven texture and huge pores. Learning to accept my skin has not been easy but I now know that even for peopIe with generally good skin, this level of perfection is unrealistic. While I no longer obsess with it as before, I’ve found that I can reduce the appearance of my skin texture by incorporating certain products into my routine. Read on to know what they are!
Slap on some mud
Mud mask, that is! Clogged pores contribute to the appearance of rough skin, and make your pores appear even larger. Get rid of the dirt and excess oil in your pores by applying a clay mask once a week. Clay is especially good for oily skin because of its high absorbency, and it has the ability to draw out impurities that scrubs can’t reach.
My favorite is the In Her Element Petal Skin Rose Clay Mask (P875 at inherelement.ph), which has the added benefit of brightening skin and reducing dark spots, thanks to the glycolic acid content. I also like the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask (P1,250 at SM Beauty) but for a non-drying alternative, check out their Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask (P1,800 at SM Beauty).
Can you peel this?
Facial scrubs were the first exfoliating product I ever tried, and after an abrasive formula damaged my skin, I turned to gommage exfoliators for manual exfoliation instead. Usually appearing like a gel, it turns into soft, papery bits as you rub it against your skin. This gently sloughs off the flaky dead skin away, resulting in a smoother surface.
I’ve already finished two bottles of the OG Cure Natural Aqua Gel (P1,500 at Beauty Bar) since Liz raved about it years ago. Stacie also recently tried the Esfolio Peeling Gel with Aloe (P369 at Watsons) and liked how it made her skin feel refreshed after exfoliation.
Amp up the acids
My first ever acid product was the Cosrx Skin Returning A-Sol (P850 at theskincarecurator.com). Even my aunts noticed how much smoother my skin looked then, but I stopped using acids for a while. My pores got clogged again as a result, so I resolved to regularly use acids in my routine to help keep my skin clear.
Acids are such a game-changer if smoother-looking skin is what you’re after. When I tried the Some By Mi Miracle Toner (P990 at beautymnl.com) a couple of months ago, I noticed how much it smoothened my cheeks but it also broke me out. I later discovered that it was overexfoliating my skin so I don’t recommend the Some By Mi Toner, but you should check out the Jumiso Yes I Am Toner AHA 5% (P900 at glowbloomandglow.com) instead! This is an AHA toner that uses glycolic acid to help smoothen skin. I used this every other night for three weeks and my skin didn’t just look smoother, it also became easier to apply foundation!
While I initially thought BHAs would be best for my oily skin, AHAs really help when it comes to improving texture and my skin tone. If my skin feels really blegh, I slap on the In Her Element Glow Job 5% Glycolic Acid Gel Cream (P775 at inherelement.ph) and wake up to glowy skin the next day.
For instant gratification, check out acid masks. After trying out Liz’s Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial ($80 at Sephora) and noticing how immediate the smoothening effects were, I had to own one, too! The Sukari Babyfacial is a wash-off acid mask that has 25% AHA and 2% BHA. This may be too much for beginners, so I would recommend this only for those who are already familiar with acids. If you can take the sting, the payoff is immediate. For a more accessible acid mask, The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (P700 at Calyxta Beauty) is a good alternative.
Do you struggle with having a rough skin texture? What do you use to make it look and feel smoother? Share your faves in the comment section below!
