Orange peel skin is an umbrella term for enlarged pores on the skin that looks just like the peel of an orange. It makes your skin look dimpled or slightly puckered. So, if you have a pitted skin that looks like the outside of an orange, you might be a victim of orange peel skin.
Keep in mind, it’s not a dermatological condition but rather a loosely-defined term used to describe the orange peel-like pitting. Almost anyone can develop it and the size of the pores can grow as you age. A lot of people suffer from this. And truth be told, this condition can be quite embarrassing.
These pores can appear anywhere on the body, not just the face. They are more common in women with dry and thin skin. In most cases, these pits are usually harmless. But if you have them on your breasts, you should consult your doctor.
So, why does it happen? And what can you do to prevent or minimize it? Let’s find out.
Causes of Orange Peel Skin
Orange peel skin can happen for a number of reasons. Loss of collagen and skin elasticity are some of them. It can ruin your beauty. Let’s try to understand orange peel skin causes:
Sun Damage
It is one of the most common causes of orange peel skin. Sun damage can destroy collagen and cause a loss of skin elasticity. As a result, the skin on your face loses its firmness. And your skin is left with pits on it. Overexposure to the sun can make this happen.
If you have small pores, sun damage can make it large giving you an unpleasant appearance. Going out in the sun unprotected during your youth can cause peau d’orange later in your life. Therefore, it’s best to protect yourself from the sun.
Aging
Aging is inevitable. There’s no way you can stop it. As a result, your skin loses its elasticity. Your skin starts to sag and stretch. But it’s now unable to snap back and cannot return to its original position prior to stretching.
The pores on your face start getting bigger and looks like orange peel. Well, it’s true that the size of these pores is determined by the genes but you can always take measures to improve skin elasticity.
Skin Infection
Another cause of orange peel skin is skin infections. They can also cause an orange peel-like texture on your skin. You see, when the skin barrier is weakened, bacteria and fungi can enter your skin. And this, in turn, can make your skin dimpled.
A skin infection can be avoided if you use natural antibacterial products on your body – the ones that are not harsh.
Keratosis Pilaris
It is a condition that causes bumps on your skin. Although it usually happens on arms, these bumps can appear on your cheeks as well. Your skin gets a rough texture as a result. This generally happens with dry skin.
These are nothing but dead skin cells and are totally harmless. Getting rid of keratosis pilaris can help with orange peel skin.
How to Get Rid of Orange Peel Skin?
There are several ways to treat orange peel skin texture. Using these methods, you should be able to improve your overall appearance. Let’s dive right in!
Wear Sunscreen
You now know how sun damage can destroy collagen and elastin. Also, sun damage is one of the causes of orange peel skin. It can make the pores bigger. Therefore, you should always wear sunscreen that protects you from harmful UV rays.
Sunblocks can prevent early aging. Go with the ones that provide adequate protection against sunburns.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and reveals younger-looking skin. It promotes skin regeneration and can fade away dark spots. Exfoliation also helps to improve skin texture.
In addition, it can remove redness and irritation. That’s not it! It also unclogs pores, prevents acne, and allow skincare products to penetrate deeper and maximize their effectiveness.
Dead skin cells can enlarge your pores. So, it becomes necessary to slough off debris and dead skin cells. By removing them, you can prevent the pores from enlarging.
Be advised not to overdo it as it may irritate your skin. Exfoliating twice a week is fine. More than that, however, is not!
Vitamin C Serums
Vitamin C helps moisturize your skin and fights early signs of aging. It can help reduce the size of the pores and improve the overall appearance of your face. Vitamin C also helps in hydrating your skin.
Therefore, you can add Vitamin C serums as a part of your skincare regime. Alternatively, you can apply lemon juice mixed with coconut water on your face. Lemon contains Vitamin C that can help you with the problem.
Take note than lemons are acidic. So, it would be nice to mix it with a few drops of coconut water.
Chemical Peels
Another great option to get rid of orange peel skin texture is a chemical peel. It can work wonders on your skin if done right. The process uses some chemical solutions (such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid) to remove your old skin.
As a result, you get a new skin free of fine lines, pores, etc. No doubt, it is pretty effective. But there are a few risks involved if it is not done properly. These include a temporary change in skin color, scarring, etc.
Hyaluronic Acid
Lack of hydration can worsen the appearance of those large pores. Therefore, you would want to make sure that you’re keeping your skin hydrated. The best bet would be to start adding products that add hydration to your skin. And products based on the hyaluronic acid trap moisture and keep you hydrated. It promotes skin regeneration and helps minimize the appearance of those pores.
You will get an even skin tone and smooth skin texture. On top of that, it reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and delays the natural aging process.
Micro-Needling
When you’re trying to get rid of the pores, it is imperative that you understand the importance of collagen production. Sure, there are a lot of lotions and creams out there but they hardly help. You can use derma rollers for collagen production.
It contains micro-needles to gently prick the face. This helps with collagen production. After regular use, you should be able to see improvement in your pits. You have to be patient as collagen production takes time.
Retinol For Orange Peel Skin
Retinol is also effective when it comes to getting rid of large pores from your face. It regulates oily skin. Also, it has anti-aging properties.
It can reduce the size of the pores by promoting the growth of new skin cells and removing dead skin cells. Retinol exfoliates pretty well and gives you a smoother skin.
Use Gentle Skincare Products
Using harsh skincare products on your face can worsen orange peel skin texture. These products weaken the skin barrier allowing bacteria to penetrate through it. And you already know how bacteria can cause orange peel-like texture.
Therefore, you should understand how important it is to use gentle products on your skin. If possible, use organic products. You can use argan oil to moisturize your skin.
Use Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is pretty effective when it comes to skincare. That’s the reason it is used as a solution in chemical peels. They can help remove dead skin cells and can help with the large pores on your skin.
It also helps with scarring, signs of aging, fine lines, etc. As a result, you get smooth and clearer skin.
Some Other Home Remedies
You can also try some home remedies for treating large pores on your skin. Ingredients such as honey, aloe vera, egg whites, argan oil, papaya, etc. can also help you with your condition.
Take aloe vera, for example. Apply the gel on your face and massage gently. Leave it on your skin for 5 to 10 minutes. Upon regular application, it might help shrink those pores, firm your skin, and give you an even skin texture.
Similarly, applying argan oil, egg whites can also help moisturize your skin and minimize the appearance of your pores.
So, if you are suffering from orange skin peel texture, follow the tips mentioned in the post to get rid of it. You will definitely see some improvement. Good luck!