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Skin concern

Bumps and rough texture

Primary source

Bumps and rough texture: the feeling or look of uneven, bumpy or rough skin surface, a texture concern. It can come from dryness, photodamage, clogged follicles or normal skin relief, and is usually measured as surface roughness or smoothness. The strongest evidence comes from a 2015 human trial: In a 12-week randomized trial of 80 subjects aged 12 and over with mild-to-moderate acne, a botanical anti-inflammatory OTC skincare regimen produced significantly lower closed-comedone counts than a benzoyl peroxide comparator at week 4 (P<0.001) and week 12 (P=0.006), with fewer inflammatory lesions at week 4 (P=0.016). 5 ingredients have evidence for Bumps and rough texture: Niacinamide, Glycolic acid, Retinal, Azelaic acid, Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid).

Three of the five studies measured instrument-based roughness or surface unevenness, and one was done in an eye-area photoaging group; one directly counted closed comedones. Texture and closed comedones were measured here.

Where the definition comes from

Source wording

“Skin roughness and surface microrelief are established, measurable parameters of skin appearance, and rough or uneven texture is most often driven by photodamage, dryness or follicular buildup.” — Bielfeldt et al., Int J Cosmet Sci 2018 (PMID 30047989).

An updated review of clinical methods in the assessment of ageing skin - New perspectives and evaluation for claims support International Journal of Cosmetic Science (Bielfeldt S, Springmann G, Seise M, Wilhelm KP, Callaghan T)

Ingredients at a glance

2015 · 80 people · subjects aged 12+ with mild-to-moderate acne · PMID 26659934

Ingredient Measured outcome Based on Certainty Year
— Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2015
Niacinamide Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2008
Glycolic acid Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2026
Retinal, Azelaic acid Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2026
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) Skin effect Human trial Moderate 1999

Studies and results

  1. 1 Niacinamide Skin effect
    Evaluation of anti-wrinkle effects of a novel cosmetic containing niacinamide

    In a randomized, placebo-controlled split-face study of 30 healthy Japanese women, a cosmetic containing 4% niacinamide reduced the skin-surface average roughness (Ra) value significantly more than the niacinamide-free control site after 8 weeks (P<0.05).

    Human trial · 2008 · 30 people · healthy Japanese women with wrinkles in the eye areas · Skin-surface roughness measured by replica profilometry (Ra). · Measured at the eye area on a photoaged/wrinkle cohort; the endpoint is surface roughness.

    PMID 19017042

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Evaluation of anti-wrinkle effects of a novel cosmetic containing niacinamide
  2. 2 Glycolic acid Skin effect
    Shake-Induced Temporary Ion-Pairing Between Lecithin and Glycolic Acid for Enhanced Exfoliation in a Novel Biphasic Serum: Comparative Ex Vivo and in Vivo Randomised Studies

    In a 2-week double-blind split-face study of 37 participants, a biphasic serum with 10% glycolic acid delivered 45.52% greater exfoliation (p<0.001) and improved skin brightness, texture and hydration versus the comparison side.

    Human trial · 2026 · 37 people · participants in a split-face study · Healthy participants using a 10% glycolic acid biphasic serum on one side of the face for 2 weeks. · Short duration (2 weeks) and a single product formulation; the study measured exfoliation and cosmetic parameters.

    PMID 41987370

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Shake-Induced Temporary Ion-Pairing Between Lecithin and Glycolic Acid for Enhanced Exfoliation in a Novel Biphasic Serum: Comparative Ex Vivo and in Vivo Randomised Studies
  3. 3 Retinal Azelaic acid Skin effect
    Efficacy and safety of a novel anhydrous 0.1% retinal and 10% azelaic acid concentrate for blemish-prone skin: an eight-week randomized prospective split-face, vehicle-controlled study

    In an 8-week randomized, vehicle-controlled split-face study of 23 people with blemish-prone skin, an anhydrous 0.1% retinal / 10% azelaic acid concentrate improved the pore parameter by 22.3% versus vehicle (p=0.015) and skin texture by 5.6% versus vehicle (p=0.0016), and reduced surface irregularities by 12.7% versus vehicle (p=0.0053).

    Human trial · 2026 · 23 people · participants aged 16-49 (mean 28), Fitzpatrick I-IV, blemish-prone skin · Pore appearance, skin texture and surface irregularities on the face over 8 weeks. · The pore improvement versus baseline was borderline (15.9%, p=0.051); the small sample completed 23 participants; the product is a six-ingredient concentrate; 10% azelaic acid is regulated as an OTC drug in some markets.

    PMID 42572367

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy and safety of a novel anhydrous 0.1% retinal and 10% azelaic acid concentrate for blemish-prone skin: an eight-week randomized prospective split-face, vehicle-controlled study
  4. 4 Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) Skin effect
    Use of topical ascorbic acid and its effects on photodamaged skin topography

    In a 3-month randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial of 19 volunteers with photodamaged skin, topical ascorbic acid produced a 73.7% greater improvement in optical profilometry Ra and shadows values than the vehicle, with significant clinical improvement in tactile roughness.

    Human trial · 1999 · 19 people · evaluable volunteers aged 36-72 with photodamaged skin · Adults aged 36-72 with mild-to-moderate facial photodamage, applying the serum daily for 3 months. · Small sample (19) in photodamaged.

    PMID 10522500

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Use of topical ascorbic acid and its effects on photodamaged skin topography

Study limits

Study conditions and measured outcomes.

  • ev-bumps-closed-comedones-otc-rct Human trial · 2015

    The comparator is an active benzoyl peroxide regimen.

  • Niacinamide Human trial · 2008

    Measured at the eye area on a photoaged/wrinkle cohort; the endpoint is surface roughness.

  • Glycolic acid Human trial · 2026

    Short duration (2 weeks) and a single product formulation; the study measured exfoliation and cosmetic parameters.

  • Retinal, Azelaic acid Human trial · 2026

    The pore improvement versus baseline was borderline (15.9%, p=0.051); the small sample completed 23 participants; the product is a six-ingredient concentrate; 10% azelaic acid is regulated as an OTC drug in some markets.

  • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) Human trial · 1999

    Small sample (19) in photodamaged.

Products with a basis for this

31 products · Azelaic Acid 10% + Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum · Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Anti-Acne Serum · 2015 · 80 people · subjects aged 12+ with mild-to-moderate acne · PMID 26659934

Research-backed approaches

These studies measured finished products and whole routines.

  1. 1 Skin effect
    Assessing the Value of Botanical Anti-Inflammatory Agents in an OTC Acne Treatment Regimen

    In a 12-week randomized trial of 80 subjects aged 12 and over with mild-to-moderate acne, a botanical anti-inflammatory OTC skincare regimen produced significantly lower closed-comedone counts than a benzoyl peroxide comparator at week 4 (P<0.001) and week 12 (P=0.006), with fewer inflammatory lesions at week 4 (P=0.016).

    Human trial · 2015 · 80 people · subjects aged 12+ with mild-to-moderate acne · Closed-comedone and inflammatory lesion counts over 12 weeks. · The comparator is an active benzoyl peroxide regimen.

    PMID 26659934

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Assessing the Value of Botanical Anti-Inflammatory Agents in an OTC Acne Treatment Regimen

Common questions

Which ingredients have been studied for Bumps and rough texture?
Ingredients with evidence for Bumps and rough texture: Niacinamide, Glycolic acid, Retinal, Azelaic acid, Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid).
How many people were studied?
5 findings · 2015 · 80 people · subjects aged 12+ with mild-to-moderate acne · PMID 26659934
What can I use for Bumps and rough texture?
Niacinamide, Glycolic acid, Retinal · 2015 · 80 people · subjects aged 12+ with mild-to-moderate acne · PMID 26659934
Can I use these every day for Bumps and rough texture?
Adults aged 36-72 with mild-to-moderate facial photodamage, applying the serum daily for 3 months（1999 · 19 participants · 19 evaluable volunteers aged 36-72 with photodamaged skin · PMID 10522500）

Other concerns

Acne marks and scars Acne and breakouts Barrier damage Blackheads Closed comedones Combination skin Dark circles Dark spots Skincare for deeper skin tones Dehydrated skin Dryness Dull skin Eczema and atopic dermatitis Hyperpigmentation Large pores Loss of firmness Melasma Skincare for men Oily skin Skincare while on acne medication Peeling and flaking Perioral dermatitis Skincare during pregnancy Psoriasis Facial redness Rosacea Sebaceous filaments Sensitive skin Sun damage Sun protection Teenage skin Uneven skin tone Wrinkles and fine lines