Skip to content
AlternativeMed
Improve skin texture: a folded white cotton towel beside a plain ceramic jar of cream, a small bowl of rolled oats and a sprig of green leaves on a pale wooden shelf in soft morning light

Skin & Hair

Improve Skin Texture

Skin that feels rough, bumpy or uneven is very common, and it is usually harmless. Most people can make it feel smoother with gentle care, steady moisture and sun protection, while stronger options are best discussed with a pharmacist or clinician.

General information, not medical advice. Last updated October 31, 2026. Written by the AlternativeMed editorial team. Not medically reviewed.

Start here

  • Protect your skin from the sun every day: shade, clothing and a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Ultraviolet light is a major cause of early skin ageing, including rough, spotted and wrinkled skin.
  • Moisturise regularly with a plain, fragrance-free product, and wash with lukewarm rather than hot water.
  • Be gentle: skip harsh scrubs and do not pick, scratch or rub. If rough bumps are bothering you, ask a pharmacist before buying anything strong.

Be careful with

  • Harsh scrubbing and over-exfoliating can make rough skin worse, not smoother.
  • Strong acid, retinoid-type or peel products can sting, redden and dry the skin, and make it more sensitive to sun. Introduce one new product at a time.
  • Skin texture products are not a substitute for having a changing mole or non-healing spot checked.
  • If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy, check any retinoid-type or acid product with a pharmacist or clinician first.

Get help when

  • A new mole or a change in an existing mole (size, shape or colour), or a mole that is painful, itchy, inflamed, bleeding or crusty.
  • A new or unusual mark that has not gone away after a few weeks, or a sore that does not heal.
  • A rough patch that is red, very itchy, weeping, blistering, painful, or spreading quickly, or that looks infected (pus, heat, swelling).
  • A rash that appeared after starting a new medicine or product, or any swelling of the lips or face or trouble breathing, which needs emergency help.
  • Rough or bumpy skin that is getting worse, or does not improve with a few weeks of gentle care and moisturiser.

About Improve Skin Texture

What this goal means

This goal is about how skin feels and looks up close: roughness, small bumps, dullness, flaking, fine lines and an uneven surface. It is about texture itself, not colour or dark spots (see Improve Uneven Skin Tone), dryness as a whole (see Relieve Dry Skin) or breakouts (see Manage Breakouts & Support Clearer Skin).

We did not find a single agreed medical definition of skin texture in the sources we read, so this page uses it to mean the surface feel and look of the skin.

1,2

Common experiences

Common experiences include small rough bumps on the upper arms, thighs or bottom; a dry, flaky or tight surface; a dull or uneven look; and fine lines on sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck and backs of the hands.

The NHS describes one very common version, keratosis pilaris, as a harmless condition where small, painless bumps appear, usually on the arms, thighs or bottom, that can last a long time and may eventually clear by itself. It can feel better in summer and worse in winter.

3

Contributing factors

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause sunburn, early skin ageing (such as spots, wrinkles or leathery skin) and skin cancer, according to the FDA. People of all skin colours are at risk of this damage.

Rough bumps from keratosis pilaris happen when hair follicles become blocked with keratin. A 2025 review notes it often occurs alongside dry skin and a weakened skin barrier, and with conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Nobody knows exactly why keratin builds up, but it is thought to run in families.

Everyday soaps, shampoos and shower gels usually dry out the skin, according to the NHS, and hot baths and showers and perfumed products can make dryness worse.

2,3,1,4

Relevant conditions

Rough or scaly skin can be a sign of a skin condition rather than just texture. Eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, rosacea and acne can all change how skin feels and looks, and each has its own page. We do not diagnose skin conditions here; if the skin is red, itchy, inflamed or sore, see a pharmacist or clinician.

3,4

Realistic expectations

Gentle care and moisturiser can improve how skin feels fairly soon, but the bumps of keratosis pilaris can last for years and may not clear completely. The NHS says treatments such as steroid creams and laser are not usually available on the NHS because they have not been proven to be effective.

For sun-related roughness and fine lines, trial results for prescription retinoid creams showed improvement in some signs from about 1 month, which was still present after up to 24 months in the longest trials, but these are medicines chosen by a clinician. Over-the-counter products and supplements have a weaker evidence base, as the sections below explain.

3,5

Who it applies to

Anyone can have rough or uneven-feeling skin. Keratosis pilaris can affect people of any age. Sun-related changes build up over a lifetime of exposure, so sun protection matters at every age, and babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight.

Children, pregnant and breastfeeding people, older adults and anyone with a skin condition or on prescribed skin treatment should check new products with a pharmacist or clinician.

3,6

Related conditions and symptoms

Eczema → Psoriasis → Acne → Rosacea → Contact dermatitis and skin allergy →

A manageable starting plan

An educational starting point, not a personal prescription. Adjust it to your own situation and any advice from your clinician.

Your first actions

  • Start daily sun protection: shade, clothing and a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, applied generously.
  • Use lukewarm water, a mild unperfumed cleanser, and moisturise every day for at least 4 weeks.
  • Stop picking, scratching and harsh scrubbing.

Optional additions

  • Try a urea-containing moisturiser or one new hydroxy-acid product, patch-tested, one at a time.
  • Ask a pharmacist about options for rough bumps on the arms or thighs.
  • Talk to a clinician about prescription retinoids if sun-related roughness and lines bother you.

What to track

  • A photo every 2 weeks in the same light, and a note of the products and sun exposure for that period.
  • Any redness, stinging, itching or flaking after a new product.
  • Any spot that is new or has changed.

When to reassess

Give gentle care and moisturiser about 4 to 8 weeks before judging. If the skin is not improving, is getting worse, or any warning sign appears, speak to a pharmacist or clinician.

When to seek professional support

  • Pharmacist for choosing creams and checking safety.
  • GP or dermatologist for persistent, inflamed, itchy or changing skin, prescription options and spot checks.

What helps

Ordered by how well the research supports each step. Evidence strength is shown on every card; precautions sit next to the advice.

Start here

Daily sun protection (shade, clothing, broad-spectrum sunscreen)

Moderate certainty

Addresses: Slows sun-related skin ageing, which includes rough texture and wrinkles

Why it may help: In a randomized trial of 903 adults under 55 in Australia, skin ageing after 4.5 years was 24% less in people told to use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily than in those who used it at their own discretion. The FDA lists early skin ageing among the harms of ultraviolet light and says only broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher help protect against the rays linked to skin cancer and early skin ageing. The NHS recommends at least SPF 30 with at least 4-star UVA protection and says not to rely on sunscreen alone.

How to apply it: Use shade and clothing as well as sunscreen. Apply enough: the NHS guide for an adult covering the whole body is around 6 to 8 teaspoons, applied thirty minutes before going out and again just before, and reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating or towel drying.

Who it may suit: Almost everyone, including people with darker skin.

Precautions: Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight, and the FDA says to consult a health professional before using sunscreen on them. Sunscreen is not a reason to stay out longer. The trial had some missing data and modest power for smaller effects.

7,2,6

Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage →

Regular moisturising with a plain, fragrance-free product

Low certainty

Addresses: Helps rough, dry skin feel softer and less tight

Why it may help: The NHS describes emollients as moisturising treatments that cover the skin with a protective film to trap in moisture, and says they are very safe and cannot be overused. It lists moisturising first among self-help steps for keratosis pilaris. We did not find trials in the sources we read that tested ordinary moisturisers for general skin roughness, so the evidence for texture specifically is limited.

How to apply it: Smooth, rather than rub, the product into the skin in the direction of hair growth. Creams suit daytime and ointments suit very dry, thickened skin and night-time. Apply whenever skin feels dry or tight, and after washing. A pharmacist can help you choose.

Who it may suit: Most people with dry, rough or bumpy skin.

Precautions: If the skin stings after a product and does not settle, ask a pharmacist for a different one. Ointments should not be used on weeping skin. Patch-test new products if your skin is reactive.

4,3

Relieve Dry Skin → Support Your Skin Barrier →

Gentle washing: lukewarm water and mild, unperfumed cleansers

Low certainty

Addresses: Reduces the dryness and irritation that can make skin rougher

Why it may help: The NHS advises mild, unperfumed soaps and bathing products and cool or lukewarm showers and baths for keratosis pilaris, and says everyday soaps and shower gels usually dry the skin. It suggests a leave-on emollient can be used as a soap substitute for dry or itchy skin.

How to apply it: Keep washing short, use lukewarm water, pat the skin dry rather than rubbing, and moisturise afterwards.

Who it may suit: Most people.

Precautions: This is practical agency advice rather than a trial result. See a pharmacist if the skin becomes itchy or inflamed.

3,4

Build a Simple Skin-Care Routine →

Additional options

Gentle scrubbing with a washcloth or exfoliating mitt

Low certainty

Addresses: May smooth the surface layer of dead skin and rough bumps

Why it may help: The NHS lists gentle scrubbing with a washcloth or exfoliating mitt among things to do for keratosis pilaris, and warns that harsh scrubs can make it worse. We did not find trials of manual exfoliation in the sources we read.

How to apply it: Use light pressure and warm, not hot, water, only a few times a week at most if the skin tolerates it, then moisturise. Stop if the skin turns red or sore.

Who it may suit: People with sturdy, non-inflamed rough skin.

Precautions: Avoid scrubbing inflamed, broken, sunburnt or very sensitive skin, and avoid picking at bumps.

3

Reduce Skin Irritation →

Moisturisers containing urea

Low certainty

Addresses: May soften scaly, rough, dry skin and support the skin barrier

Why it may help: A 2021 review describes urea as a natural component of the skin's moisturising factor that is widely used in moisturisers and as a mild skin-softening agent (keratolytic), with trials in dry and scaly skin conditions. A 2025 review of keratosis pilaris lists urea, alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids as reasonable first-line, symptom-directed options, but says studies were small, short and varied. Several authors of the urea review worked for a skin-care company, which is worth knowing.

How to apply it: Choose a product marketed for rough or dry skin and apply as directed on the label. Ask a pharmacist which strength suits the area.

Who it may suit: Adults with persistent rough or scaly areas, such as upper arms, elbows or heels.

Precautions: Side effects are mostly mild but are more frequent at higher concentration, according to the review. Stop if it stings or reddens the skin.

8,1

Support Your Skin Barrier →

Over-the-counter hydroxy-acid products (alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids)

Low certainty

Addresses: May improve the look of rough or dull skin by loosening the top layer of skin

Why it may help: A 2024 review reported that alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic and lactic acid improve skin texture and luminosity in cosmetic use, but said the best concentrations are still not clearly defined, and that guidelines set concentration and pH limits to reduce irritation. The 2025 keratosis pilaris review found small, short studies supporting alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids. We did not read the underlying trials.

How to apply it: Start with one product at low frequency, patch-test first, and use sunscreen every day.

Who it may suit: Adults whose roughness has not eased with gentle care and moisturiser.

Precautions: These can sting, redden and dry the skin, and the review links them to irritation, so do not combine several strong products. Check with a pharmacist or clinician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a skin condition, or are using prescribed skin treatment. Do not use on broken or inflamed skin.

9,1

Reduce Skin Irritation → Care for Sensitive Skin →

Still being studied

Prescription retinoid creams (clinician-prescribed)

Moderate certainty

Addresses: Improve the look of sun-damaged skin: wrinkling, sallowness, rough patches and sun spots

Why it may help: A 2022 systematic review of 7 randomized trials found a prescription-strength topical retinoid improved wrinkling, mottled colour, sallowness and sun spots as early as 1 month, lasting up to 24 months, and described it as safe and well tolerated, though formulas, outcomes and designs differed. A 2024 systematic review of 25 studies calls it the gold-standard treatment for photoageing but notes that poor tolerability often limits its use.

How to apply it: Prescription retinoids are decided on by a clinician, who will explain how to introduce them.

Who it may suit: Adults with sun-related skin ageing, judged individually by a clinician.

Precautions: Retinoid creams can irritate, dry and redden skin and increase sun sensitivity. The sources we read did not address pregnancy or breastfeeding, so ask a clinician before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy. Never combine with other strong actives without advice.

5,10

Support Skin as It Ages →

Bakuchiol, a plant-derived ingredient sold as a 'natural retinol alternative'

Low certainty

Addresses: May improve fine lines and photodamage in small studies

Why it may help: A 2022 systematic review found 30 articles, of which 16 were pre-clinical and 7 were clinical studies, reporting benefits for photoageing, acne and post-inflammatory dark marks comparable to retinoids, and one reported case of contact dermatitis. The authors said more studies are needed. A 2024 systematic review comparing alternatives to retinoids found most comparison studies were of poor quality.

How to apply it: If you try a bakuchiol product, patch-test it first and use it as directed on the label.

Who it may suit: Adults who want a plant-derived option and accept limited evidence.

Precautions: Plant ingredients can still cause allergic skin reactions. We did not find pregnancy or breastfeeding safety information in the sources we read.

11,10

Natural skin-care ingredients →

Oral collagen supplements

Mixed findings

Addresses: May modestly raise measured skin hydration and elasticity in some trials

Why it may help: A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials with 646 people found higher skin hydration and elasticity measures with collagen supplements. It noted that most participants were female, risk of bias was generally unclear, and results varied between studies. Other reviews, summarised on our collagen claim-check page, report that the benefit shrinks or disappears in independently funded and higher-quality trials.

How to apply it: Treat collagen as an optional extra, not a replacement for sun protection and gentle care.

Who it may suit: Adults curious about supplements who accept the uncertain evidence.

Precautions: Marine-sourced products matter for people with fish allergy. Check with a pharmacist or clinician if you take regular medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding. Trials measured hydration and elasticity, not roughness or bumps.

12

Collagen, biotin and beauty supplement claims →

Food & nutrition

Does what you eat change skin texture?

We did not find trials in the sources we read showing that a particular food improves skin texture, so we do not make food claims here.

The strongest evidence we read for sun-related skin ageing is for sun protection. In the Australian trial, a beta-carotene supplement had no overall effect on skin ageing.

Collagen supplements are not a food, and their evidence is mixed. See the helps section for what the reviews found.

7,12

Remedies & supplements

Traditional use, laboratory findings and human trials are kept apart. "Natural" does not mean safe.

Bakuchiol

Low certainty

Studied form and route: Plant-derived ingredient in creams and serums

Intended outcome: Fine lines and photodamage

Human evidence: A systematic review found seven clinical studies and one case of contact dermatitis, with results described as comparable to retinoids in the reviewed studies.

Traditional use: The plant it comes from is used in traditional medicine, but we did not read a source describing a traditional skin-texture use.

Laboratory findings: Many of the 30 articles in the review were pre-clinical (16), including cell studies.

Limits: Few clinical studies; the authors say more are needed. A comparison review found most studies of alternatives were of poor quality.

Interactions and precautions: Patch-test; stop if the skin reddens or itches. We did not find pregnancy safety information.

11,10

Natural skin-care ingredients →

Oral collagen peptides

Mixed findings

Studied form and route: Powders, drinks or capsules

Intended outcome: Skin hydration and elasticity

Human evidence: A meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials (646 people) reported higher hydration and elasticity measures, with unclear risk of bias and results mostly applicable to women.

Limits: Did not measure roughness. Other reviews report the effect shrinks in independently funded and higher-quality trials.

Interactions and precautions: Fish allergy with marine products; check with a pharmacist if on medicines.

12

Collagen, biotin and beauty supplement claims →

Beta-carotene supplements

Low certainty

Studied form and route: Capsules

Intended outcome: Slowing skin ageing

Human evidence: In a four-group trial of 903 adults, beta-carotene had no overall effect on skin ageing.

Limits: The authors said further study was needed to exclude benefit or harm.

Interactions and precautions: We did not read safety information for beta-carotene in this context, so check with a pharmacist.

7

Therapies & care

Rough, bumpy or sun-damaged skin can be assessed by a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. Established options include moisturising and skin-softening creams, prescription retinoid creams and professional peels. Which treatment fits is a decision for a clinician, who will consider your skin, medicines and pregnancy plans. Never stop or change prescribed treatments without advice.

Pharmacist advice on rough bumps (keratosis pilaris)

Low certainty

Self-care support The NHS says a pharmacist can recommend creams or lotions, and tell you whether you need a GP, if self-care is not helping or the skin is itchy or inflamed.

Who it may suit: People bothered by rough bumps who have tried gentle care.

Precautions: Mention pregnancy, breastfeeding and any skin conditions or medicines.

3

Prescription retinoid treatment

Moderate certainty

Prescription skin treatment Randomized trials of prescription-strength retinoid creams reported improved wrinkling, mottled colour, sallowness and sun spots, but tolerability can limit use.

Who it may suit: Adults with sun-related ageing chosen by a clinician.

Precautions: Skin irritation and sun sensitivity; the sources we read did not address pregnancy, so discuss it.

5,10

Professional chemical peels

Low certainty

In-clinic cosmetic procedure A 2024 review of alpha-hydroxy acids described improvements in texture and luminosity in cosmetic dermatology, but said optimal concentrations and safety limits still need to be defined.

Who it may suit: People whose concerns have not eased with home care, assessed by a trained clinician.

Precautions: Irritation, sun sensitivity and skin type; choose a qualified practitioner.

9

What to avoid

Habits, products and claims that can get in the way. Never stop a prescribed medicine without talking to the professional who prescribed it.

Risks that apply to most people

Harsh scrubs and over-exfoliating

Low certainty

Why: The NHS says harsh scrubs can make keratosis pilaris worse, and strong acid products can cause irritation.

Who it applies to: Anyone with rough, bumpy or sensitive skin.

Try instead: Use gentle washing, a washcloth or mitt with light pressure, and moisturise.

3,9

Reduce Skin Irritation →

Very hot baths and showers

Low certainty

Why: The NHS advises against hot baths or showers and recommends cool or lukewarm water for keratosis pilaris.

Who it applies to: People with dry or rough skin.

Try instead: Use lukewarm water and keep washing short.

3

Picking, scratching and rubbing

Low certainty

Why: The NHS advises not to scratch, pick or rub rough bumps.

Who it applies to: Anyone with itchy or bumpy skin.

Try instead: Moisturise, keep nails short, and see a pharmacist if itch is troublesome.

3

Manage Itchy Skin →

Perfumed soaps and bathing products

Low certainty

Why: The NHS says perfumed products can dry the skin, and everyday soaps and shower gels usually dry it out.

Who it applies to: People with dry, rough or reactive skin.

Try instead: Choose mild, unperfumed cleansers or a leave-on emollient as a soap substitute.

3,4

Personal triggers to check

Unprotected sun exposure and tanning

High certainty

Why: The FDA says ultraviolet light causes sunburn, early skin ageing and skin cancer, and that tanning is a sign of skin reacting to damaging radiation. The NHS says there is no safe or healthy way to tan.

Who it applies to: Everyone, especially people who spend long hours outdoors.

Try instead: Use shade, clothing and sunscreen, and avoid tanning and sunbeds.

2,6,7

Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage →

Cold, dry winter air and dry indoor heating

Not enough evidence

Why: The NHS notes keratosis pilaris can be worse in winter. We did not find a source on the effect of indoor heating, so treat that as unproven.

Who it applies to: People who notice their skin is rougher in winter.

Try instead: Moisturise more often in colder months.

3

Products that need caution

Several strong 'active' products used at once

Low certainty

Why: Acid and retinoid-type products can irritate, and a systematic review notes tolerability often limits use of retinoids. We did not find trials of stacking products.

Who it applies to: Anyone building a routine from social media tips.

Try instead: Add one product at a time, patch-test it, and wait a few weeks before adding another.

9,10

Build a Simple Skin-Care Routine →

Strong peels and acid products used at home on inflamed or broken skin

Low certainty

Why: Concentration and pH limits exist because stronger acids can irritate, and the best concentrations are not clearly defined.

Who it applies to: Anyone with sunburnt, inflamed or broken skin.

Try instead: Wait for the skin to settle, and ask a pharmacist or clinician about stronger options.

9

Unsupported claims

"Collagen pills will smooth your skin"

Mixed findings

Why: Some pooled analyses found modest gains in hydration and elasticity, but the results are mixed and trials did not measure roughness or bumps.

Who it applies to: Supplement labels and social media.

Try instead: Prioritise sun protection and gentle care, and see the collagen claim-check page.

12

Collagen, biotin and beauty supplement claims →

"Bakuchiol works exactly like prescription retinol"

Low certainty

Why: Reviews found promising but small studies and said more are needed; a retinoid comparison review found most studies of alternatives were of poor quality.

Who it applies to: Product marketing.

Try instead: Treat it as a gentle option with limited evidence.

11,10

"Beta-carotene pills protect skin from ageing"

Low certainty

Why: In the Australian trial, beta-carotene supplements had no overall effect on skin ageing, and the authors said further study was needed to exclude benefit or harm.

Who it applies to: Supplement labels.

Try instead: Use sunscreen, shade and clothing instead.

7

"A tan protects your skin"

High certainty

Why: The NHS says a tan does not protect skin from the sun's harmful effects.

Who it applies to: Sun and tanning advice.

Try instead: Protect skin in the shade, with clothing and sunscreen.

6

Common mistakes

Using too little sunscreen

Moderate certainty

Why: The NHS says most people do not apply enough, and thin application reduces protection.

Who it applies to: Anyone using sunscreen.

Try instead: Apply generously, reapply every 2 hours and after water, sweating or towel drying.

6

Expecting keratosis pilaris bumps to vanish quickly

Moderate certainty

Why: The NHS says many people have it for years, and treatments such as steroid creams and laser are not usually available on the NHS because they have not been proven effective.

Who it applies to: People with rough upper arms or thighs.

Try instead: Aim for smoother, more comfortable skin with steady gentle care, and ask a pharmacist if bothered.

3

Treating a changing spot as a texture problem

High certainty

Why: A new or changing mole or mark needs to be checked by a clinician; the NHS lists changes in size, shape or colour, itching, bleeding or crusting.

Who it applies to: Anyone with a spot that seems different.

Try instead: Have it examined and do not self-treat it.

13

Skin and hair safety: when to see a doctor →

Evidence & safety

What the research shows

The best-supported step for sun-related rough skin and early ageing is regular sun protection. Prescription retinoid creams have randomized-trial support for photoageing but are a clinician's decision. Moisturisers, gentle care, urea and hydroxy acids are widely recommended for rough or dry skin, but we found mostly small studies, reviews or agency advice for texture specifically. Bakuchiol and collagen evidence is limited or mixed.

Limits of the evidence

  • Many studies are small, short, differently designed and measure hydration or wrinkles rather than roughness.
  • Several reviews were written by authors with ties to cosmetic or skin-care companies, or did not assess the underlying trials in depth.
  • We read abstracts and agency pages, not full papers, and did not read the underlying trials of hydroxy acids.
  • We did not find sources on pregnancy safety of retinoid-type products.

Precautions and interactions

  • Patch-test new products on a small area before using more widely.
  • Strong actives can irritate and increase sun sensitivity; use sunscreen.
  • Check supplements and skin products with a pharmacist if you take any medicine.

Life-stage considerations

  • Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight.
  • Children's skin is more sensitive to sun than adult skin, according to the NHS.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: ask a clinician before retinoid-type or acid products.
  • Older adults: thinner, drier skin may react more to harsh products.

Warning signs

  • A new or changing mole, or a spot that bleeds, crusts, itches or hurts.
  • A new or unusual mark that does not go away within a few weeks.
  • Signs of infection or a severe, spreading rash.
  • Facial swelling or breathing difficulty needs emergency help.

Claim checks

Daily sunscreen helps slow skin ageing

Moderate certainty

supported

7

Collagen supplements make skin smoother

Mixed findings

mixed

12

Bakuchiol is as good as prescription retinoids

Low certainty

not proven

11,10

Beta-carotene supplements prevent skin ageing

Low certainty

not supported

7

Harsh scrubbing smooths bumpy skin

Low certainty

not supported

3

Questions people ask

What is skin texture?

It is how skin feels and looks up close: smooth, rough, bumpy, flaky or fine-lined. We did not find an official medical definition in the sources we read.

Are rough bumps on my arms harmful?

Keratosis pilaris, a common cause, is harmless according to the NHS. Ask a pharmacist if it bothers you or becomes itchy or inflamed.

What is the first thing to do?

Protect your skin from the sun, moisturise regularly and wash gently with lukewarm water.

Do I need to exfoliate?

Not necessarily. The NHS suggests gentle scrubbing for keratosis pilaris but warns against harsh scrubs. Hydroxy-acid products have low-certainty evidence and can irritate.

Does sunscreen really help?

A randomized trial found 24% less skin ageing with daily sunscreen use. The NHS suggests at least SPF 30, applied generously and reapplied every 2 hours.

Do retinoids work?

A systematic review of 7 randomized trials reported improved signs of photoageing with a prescription-strength retinoid cream, but they can irritate and are chosen by a clinician.

Is bakuchiol a safe natural alternative?

It is promising but studied in few clinical trials, and one case of contact dermatitis was reported. Patch-test it.

Will collagen supplements smooth my skin?

Results are mixed. A meta-analysis of 10 trials found higher hydration and elasticity measures, but the trials did not measure roughness.

Can I use these products when pregnant?

The sources we read did not address this, so ask a pharmacist or clinician first.

When should I see a doctor?

See a clinician for a new or changing mole or mark, a sore that will not heal, signs of infection, a severe rash or if the skin is getting worse. Swelling of the face or trouble breathing needs emergency help.

References

  1. Dampa E. The effectiveness of topical keratolytics (alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, urea) in treating keratosis pilaris: a review of the literature. Cureus 2025;17(12):e100507. PMID 41631232. Verified in PubMed 2026-10-31. source
  2. US FDA. Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun: From Sunscreen to Sunglasses (consumer update). Read 2026-10-31. source
  3. NHS. Keratosis pilaris. Read 2026-10-31. source
  4. NHS. Emollients. Read 2026-10-31. source
  5. Sitohang IBS, Makes WI, Sandora N, Suryanegara J. Topical retinoid cream for treating photoaging: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Int J Womens Dermatol 2022;8(1):e003. PMID 35620028. Verified in PubMed 2026-10-31. source
  6. NHS. Sunscreen and sun safety. Read 2026-10-31. source
  7. Hughes MC, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2013;158(11):781-90. PMID 23732711. Verified in PubMed 2026-10-31. source
  8. Piquero-Casals J, Morgado-Carrasco D, Granger C, et al. Urea in dermatology: a review of its emollient, moisturizing, keratolytic, skin barrier enhancing and antimicrobial properties. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2021;11(6):1905-1915. PMID 34596890. Verified in PubMed 2026-10-31. source
  9. Almeman AA. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of alpha-hydroxy acids in dermatological practice: a comprehensive clinical and legal review. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2024;17:1661-1685. PMID 39050562. Verified in PubMed 2026-10-31. source
  10. Siddiqui Z, Zufall A, Nash M, Rao D, Hirani R, Russo M. Comparing a prescription retinoid with other topical therapies in skin photoaging: a systematic review. Am J Clin Dermatol 2024;25(6):873-890. PMID 39348007. Verified in PubMed 2026-10-31. source
  11. Puyana C, Chandan N, Tsoukas M. Applications of bakuchiol in dermatology: systematic review of the literature. J Cosmet Dermatol 2022;21(12):6636-6643. PMID 36176207. Verified in PubMed 2026-10-31. source
  12. Danessa G, Notario D, Regina R. Effects of collagen-based supplements on skin's hydration and elasticity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2025;91(6):730-740. PMID 40826844. Verified in PubMed 2026-10-31. source
  13. NHS. Symptoms of melanoma skin cancer. Read 2026-10-31. source

Related on AlternativeMed

Related goals

Relieve Dry Skin → Support Your Skin Barrier → Reduce Skin Irritation → Care for Sensitive Skin → Improve Uneven Skin Tone → Support Skin as It Ages → Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage → Build a Simple Skin-Care Routine → Manage Breakouts & Support Clearer Skin → Manage Itchy Skin →

Ingredients, foods and supplements

Natural skin-care ingredients → Collagen, biotin and beauty supplement claims →

Research, safety and claim-check resources

Skin and hair safety: when to see a doctor → Skin and hair research and evidence → Skin & Hair →