Have You Ever Heard of Orange Peel Skin? — Here’s What It Means

Have you ever experienced enlarged-looking pores and a dimpled texture on your skin? Some refer to this common complexion concern as “orange peel skin” because it resembles, well, the skin of an orange. Orange peel skin is a colloquial term, not a scientific one or an official condition, and your dermatologist probably won’t refer to your skin texture as such, but they can help you improve the texture of your skin if you’re experiencing it. Here, we spoke to board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com expert Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali to find out how. 

How to Treat Orange Peel Skin

To minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, Dr. Bhanusali recommends washing your face using a cleanser formulated with salicylic acid to help dissolve debris and oils that may be causing your pores to expand. Try the CeraVe Salicylic Acid Cleanser.

Introducing your skin to retinol can also help with orange peel skin. We like to use SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 in our nighttime skin-care routine. Just keep in mind that retinol can cause skin sensitivity to sunlight, so always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day.

Another option for orange peel skin is a laser treatment that can be performed at your dermatologist’s office (when it re-opens). Dr. Bhanusali says certain lasers can be used to target orange peel skin by helping to improve overall texture.

How to Prevent Orange Peel Skin

To help prevent orange peel skin, Bhanusali suggests “cleansing the skin with exfoliative products.” Use a cleanser with salicylic acid like the one from CeraVe mentioned above to thoroughly remove dirt, oil and impurities that can clog pores. This will leave pores looking tighter and less visible.

Sunscreen is essential for preventing a variety of potential skin issues, including orange peel skin. According to Dr. Bhanusali, sun damage is one of the most common causes of orange peel skin. Try a non-comedogenic sunscreen that’s suitable for everyday wear, like the Kiehl’s Super Fluid Daily UV Defense.

Read more:

6 Micellar Waters to Try If You Have Oily Skin

Why You Need Retinol and Vitamin C in Your Anti-Aging Routine

Can Your Skin Become Immune to Skin-Care Products?