What is orange peel skin on the face?
On the face, orange peel skin refers to large pores and a rough, uneven texture. Orange peel skin is not an official condition, but rather a slangy way to refer to having large pores and a bumpy skin texture. The term gets its name because the skin resembles the surface of an orange peel: it’s uneven and rough, and you can see the individual pores. Meet the wikiHow Experts Mohiba Tareen, MD is an FAAD board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology in Roseville, Maplewood, and Faribault, Minnesota. Kaveri Karhade, MD is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in laser, medical, and cosmetic dermatology. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who specializes in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. Diana Yerkes is a skincare professional and the lead esthetician at Rescue Spa in New York City, NY with over 15 years of experience. Melissa Jannes is a skincare specialist, licensed esthetician, and owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio.
What is orange peel skin on the body?
On the body, orange peel skin refers to dimpled or puckered skin. Orange peel skin can refer to peau d’orange, which is French for “skin of an orange.” This is a medical condition that describes skin that looks pitted, bumpy, dimpled, or puckered. It’s most commonly used to refer to the dimpling around the skin of the breasts, which can be a symptom of inflammatory breast cancer. However, it can be used more generally to describe puckered skin on the arms, stomach, buttocks, and legs.
What causes orange peel skin on the face?
Sun damage, aging, and clogged pores can cause orange peel skin. According to FAAD board-certified dermatologist Mohiba Tareen, MD, “The two biggest culprits of pores looking enlarged … are A.) excessive oil production leading to congestion and dilation of the pore, and B.) loss of elasticity of the skin.” Board-certified dermatologist Kaveri Karhade, MD adds that, “as we get older, our collagen tends to break down, and we stop producing elastin, which is what makes young skin bouncy.” She explains that “those changes are exacerbated by…sun exposure.” So, to sum up: Sun damage can speed up the natural effects of aging and reduce the production of collagen. This can damage the skin, make it appear less smooth, and lead to more noticeable pores.
What causes orange peel skin on the body?
Aging People often develop larger-looking pores and bumpy skin as they get older. Dr. Tareen explains that, “as we age, the skin loses its rubber band elastic[ity]” and “the skin sags.” This can “make those pores look bigger,” she says. The texture of your skin can change as you age, and your skin may become drier and rougher due to less oil production. [[
Cellulite Cellulite is a skin condition that can give the skin on your stomach, hips, thighs, and buttocks a dimpled or puckered look. While it’s not clear what causes cellulite, it appears when fat cells push upwards against the skin while the fibrous tissues that connect the skin and muscles pull downward. Cellulite is common and completely harmless. People of all shapes and sizes can develop it, though it tends to be more common in women than men.
Skin conditions Certain skin conditions can leave the skin with a pitted or dimpled appearance. For instance, keratosis pilaris is a common and harmless condition that can cause the skin to develop a rough and bumpy texture. It usually affects the cheeks, upper arms, thighs, and buttocks.
Infections Some skin infections can make the skin look lumpy or pitted. For example, cellulitis is a common bacterial infection that typically affects the legs and feet. Along with pitted skin, it can cause pain, swelling, discoloration, fever, and chills.
Lymphedema Lymphedema is a condition that causes the arms or legs to swell, which happens because the lymphatic system can’t drain lymphatic fluid properly. A common symptom is the skin developing a thick, bumpy texture. Lymphedema can also cause the affected limb to feel tight, heavy, and hard to move. Damage to your lymphatic system, such as during breast cancer surgery or radiation therapy, can cause lymphedema to form. It can also be caused by infection, obesity, heart conditions, and kidney disease.
Inflammatory breast cancer Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that’s caused by cells blocking the lymphatic system, which leads to inflammation. The inflammation can cause the skin to change, and common symptoms include puckering, dimpling, and thickening of the skin around the breast. Other common symptoms include discoloration, nipple inversion, breast enlargement, and pain.
How to Treat Orange Peel Skin On the Face
Use a retinol product. Retinol has a lot of skin benefits, including clearing out the pores and making the skin look smoother, which can help reduce the appearance of orange peel skin. There are plenty of over-the-counter retinols to choose from, or you can talk to your doctor about taking a prescription retinol (which is typically stronger). Whatever you choose, start with a low dosage and add it to your routine slowly to get your skin used to it. Dr. Karhade agrees that “retinoids are the best way to minimize pores and improve blemish-prone skin.” Double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner explains that retinol “turn[s] the cells over and keep[s] those pores cleaned out,” which gives the skin a nice glow, too. Additionally, Dr. Karhade says that retinols “ increase collagen growth,” which can help reverse sun damage.
Use a pore-minimizing product, like salicylic acid or niacinamide. There are plenty of other products that you can add to your skincare routine to help minimize your pores and improve your skin’s texture. When adding new products to your routine, go slow and keep your skin moisturized. Some great options to try include: Salicylic acid: It unclogs pores and exfoliates the skin so it's softer and smoother. It can also help treat acne. Niacinamide: It helps to control oil production, which can keep pores unclogged. It also helps keep your skin moisturized and protects it from damage. Glycolic acid: It’s a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps smooth the skin and make it appear more glowy. It also helps to unblock the pores. Vitamin C: It can protect your skin from damage, helping it look smoother and more evenly toned. It can also help reduce the signs of aging. Note: Some of these products can be used together, though generally, it’s recommended to use one at night and one in the morning. We have in-depth guides about adding salicylic acid, niacinamide, glycolic acid, and vitamin C to your routine.
Exfoliate your skin 1 to 2 times per week. Regularly exfoliating your skin is a great way to improve its appearance, as it helps smooth out texture and minimize the look of pores. Dr. Tareen suggests exfoliating your skin once or twice per week. She says you can either use a mechanical exfoliator, like a charcoal mask, or a chemical exfoliator, like salicylic acid.
Cleanse your skin in the morning and at night. According to skincare professional Diana Yerkes, “the best way to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores is to really concentrate on cleansing your skin.” Simply use a gentle cleanser in the morning. Then, Yerkes recommends double-cleansing in the evening. Massage an oil-based cleanser into your skin and then follow it up with your gentle cleanser. Yerkes especially recommends using an enzyme-based cleanser to help with large pores and keep oily skin under control.
Hydrate and moisturize your skin. Make sure to follow up your morning and evening cleanse with a gentle, hydrating moisturizer. Dr. Karhade recommends looking for products that use super-hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which she says “help to repair the skin barrier and hydrate the skin, leading to a softer, more moisturized feel.” Make sure to keep yourself hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day, too. In the evening, skincare specialist Melissa Jannes suggests using a super-hydrating and thick night cream. She says, “As you sleep, your skin tends to lose a lot of moisture.” Using a thick night cream helps “protect your moisture barrier” so you “wake up and your skin feels like velvet.”
Wear sunscreen every day. The sun can be very damaging to the skin and prematurely age it, intensifying collagen loss, leading to larger-looking pores, and worsening skin texture. So, “wearing sunscreen as early as possible is one of the best ways to keep your skin young,” says Dr. Karhade. Board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, agrees and recommends applying SPF 30 sunscreen every single day—regardless of whether it’s sunny outside or not. Dr. Mudgil says there are a few other things that can reduce collagen production, including smoking, sleep deprivation, and stress. So, cutting back on smoking, getting quality sleep, and reducing stress may also help to improve orange peel skin.
Get facial peels. Facial peels help to exfoliate the skin and unclog pores, which can help improve your skin texture and reduce the appearance of your pores. Jannes recommends getting a facial once every 3 months or so, with once per month being optimal. She says glycolic acid peels and salicylic acid peels are especially helpful for large pores. Simply visit your dermatologist or a med spa/skincare clinic near you to get a facial peel.
Try a skincare treatment like lasers or microneedling. Dermatologists have access to more intensive treatments that can help stimulate collagen production, improve texture, and reduce the look of pores, all of which can help reduce the look of orange peel skin. For instance: Dermatologist Lydia Shedlofsky, DO says laser therapies, like fractional laser and microdermabrasion, can help resurface the skin and improve pores. Dr. Tareen says infrared light, ablative light, and radio frequency treatments can help stimulate collagen production. Microneedling can help reduce the look of large pores and help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
How to Treat Orange Peel Skin On the Body
Cellulite: Eat well and exercise. Dr. Mudgil says, “There's no great treatment for cellulite.” However, there are a few things you can do to help reduce its appearance. For instance, exercising and lifting weights can help build muscle, which may minimize the look of dimpled skin. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can help, too. Dr. Mudgil says there are some cosmetic procedures that can help with cellulite. For instance, he says Cellfina is a “micro surgical procedure that's done in the office where basically the thin [bands] causing cellulite are cut and the skin becomes smoother in texture.” While plenty of creams and serums claim to treat cellulite, Dr. Mudgil says these only provide temporary results at best.
Skin conditions & infections: Take medication. If you suspect that your skin dimpling is due to a condition or infection, visit your primary care doctor or dermatologist. They’ll diagnose the issue and most likely prescribe medication to help treat the issue. For instance, keratosis pilaris is commonly treated with retinoids or salicylic acid. Most infections, like cellulitis, are treated with antibiotics.
Lymphedema: Use compression garments or get massages. There’s no cure for lymphedema, but there are things you can do to help manage your symptoms. For instance, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Vlad Gendelman, MD, says wearing compression garments can help with swelling. Additionally, board-certified internist and health policy director Mohammad Dar, MD, says, “Lymphatic drainage massage [LDM] is a massage technique to gently assist with drainage where lymphedema is occurring.” Getting these massages can help with swelling, too. Talk to your doctor about using compression garments or getting lymphatic massages to help manage your symptoms.
Inflammatory breast cancer: Talk to your doctor about treatment options. There are several treatment options available for inflammatory breast cancer, and your doctor will advise what’s best for you. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation, targeted medication, and mastectomy.
When to See a Doctor
Visit your doctor immediately if you notice changes to your breasts. See your doctor immediately if your breast(s) has pitted skin, is growing in size, has an inverted nipple, is discolored, or is painful, or you notice swollen lymph nodes near your armpit or collarbone. These can all be symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer.
See your doctor as soon as possible if you notice signs of infection. If your dimpled, pitted skin coincides with signs of an infection, like fever, chills, or fatigue, visit your healthcare provider immediately. They’ll diagnose the infection and prescribe medication to help treat it.
Talk to your dermatologist if the orange peel skin bothers you. Schedule an appointment with your dermatologist if your enlarged pores or rough, uneven skin texture is bothering you. They’ll take a look at your skin and prescribe you topical or oral medications to treat the issue. They might also recommend cosmetic treatments, like lasers or microneedling, to help reduce the look of your orange peel skin.
Key Takeaways
Orange peel skin refers to bumpy, porous skin on the face or body. On the face, orange peel skin primarily describes large pores and an uneven skin texture, which can be reduced with skincare treatments like retinol, exfoliation, and moisturizer. On the body, orange peel skin can also refer to peau d’orange, which is a medical condition that causes skin pitting or dimpling. This can be related to harmless skin conditions, like keratosis pilaris and cellulite, or be a symptom of serious conditions, like inflammatory breast cancer if it’s located on your breast. Visit your doctor immediately if you notice changes to your breasts. In general, it’s a good idea to talk to your primary care doctor or dermatologist if you notice changes to your skin, such as orange peel skin. They can prescribe you treatments to improve your facial skin texture and pores, and diagnose and treat other skin conditions you’re dealing with.
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