The impact of uneven tone + texture
First of all, it’s important to recognize that skin concerns are common, widespread, and affect almost everyone at some point. Skin tone and texture concerns can surface anywhere on the body, often presenting differently depending on location. The backs of legs and arms might feel bumpy, while the upper back or chest could feel rough due to dry patches. Other areas of rough, bumpy skin can include the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, and sides of the torso.
Still, just knowing that your skin concerns are common won’t always ease your discomfort. A 2019 study published by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology considered the correlation between pigmentary disorders and psychological health. It concluded a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and mental health disorders exist among those who suffer from pigmentary diseases.1 In other words, those who suffer from skin concerns like hyperpigmentation may feel emotionally burdened as well.
Whether you have hyperpigmentation, Keratosis Pilaris*, or other forms of uneven tone and texture of the skin, there are ways to address both the physical and emotional strain, allowing you to feel as confident as you deserve to be.
*Keratosis Pilaris: A common condition where small bumps develop on your skin, caused by excess keratin. The condition is harmless and Aveeno® offers two solutions.
A gentle, consistent skincare routine can help boost confidence.
When our skin looks and feels good, we tend to feel better about ourselves—and that’s backed by science. Acts of self-care can trigger the release of mood-boosting neurotransmitters in the brain.2 A skincare routine, like any other form of self-care, can soothe, calm, and give us a sense of control.
Build an Aveeno® skin care routine with Aveeno® Tone + Texture Daily Renewing Lotion and Renewing Night Cream—developed to improve the look of uneven tone and texture concerns. These gentle products were formulated for those with sensitive skin.
How to improve tone and texture
Achieving and maintaining healthy-looking, even-toned skin is an ongoing process that starts with a good daily skincare routine. Staying consistent with your routine and lifestyle tips will both improve the appearance of your skin, and help give your mind a sense of ease.
Consider this 4-part daily regimen:
Cleanse: Shower or bathe with a gentle body wash and warm water.
Exfoliate: Gently remove dull skin buildup by using Aveeno® Daily Moisturizing Body Scrub, Aveeno® Stress Relief Body Scrub, or other exfoliants developed for sensitive skin.
Moisturize: Replenish, hydrate and smooth skin with a gentle moisturizing lotion.
Protect: Use a broad spectrum SPF sunscreen every day.
There are also a number of lifestyle changes you can make to help improve the appearance of your skin.
Stay hydrated. Drinking water helps hydrate your body from the inside out. Applying moisturizer helps soothe and prevent dryness from within skin’s surface layers.
Use sunscreen. Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen every day. Protecting your skin from the sun helps protect from harmful UV rays and helps prevent future sun damage.
Limit certain foods and drinks. Certain foods can trigger flushed, uneven complexions, including alcohol, spicy foods, foods high in refined sugars, and overly processed or greasy foods.
How can I specifically manage my rough, bumpy skin?
If you suffer from Keratosis Pilaris, consider these tips in addition to your daily skincare routine to help manage rough, bumpy skin:
Keep baths and showers short. Spending too much time in the water can dry your skin. Limit baths and showers to 5 to 10 minutes and use lukewarm water.
Use a mild, fragrance-free body wash. This will help minimize the potential for irritation when washing your skin.
Moisturize your skin. Applying a moisturizer can help prevent dry skin. Aveeno® Tone + Texture Daily Renewing Lotion and Renewing Night Cream, with natural PHA, Pro-Vitamin B3 and prebiotic oat, gently exfoliates to soften and smooth dry, rough, bumpy skin (even KP).
Avoid shaving or waxing skin with keratosis pilaris. However, if you must shave the area, use a single-blade razor rather than a multi-blade razor.
Why add Aveeno® Tone + Texture products to your daily routine?
The best lotion for bumpy, dry skin should nourish while also gently exfoliating away dead surface skin cells. Aveeno® Tone + Texture Daily Renewing Lotion and Renewing Night Cream does just that. With natural PHA, Pro-Vitamin B3 and Prebiotic Oat, Aveeno® Tone + Texture products nourish while gently exfoliating to soften and smooth sensitive skin. Here’s what to know about the key ingredients:
Natural PHA: Gluconolactone is a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that gently lifts off dead skin cells from the skin surface making skin appear smoother and more even-toned. It’s a larger molecule than other acids, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like Glycolic Acid, but is better for sensitive skin types. It also has antioxidant properties that won’t make skin more sensitive to the sun like AHAs or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).
Pro-Vitamin B3: Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that supports the skin’s moisture barrier. It can also help to visibly even out skin tone and improve texture.
Prebiotic Oat: Oat helps replenish skin’s natural moisture barrier and complements its ecosystem for healthy-looking skin. It also helps lock in moisture and soothe skin.
Does sun help Keratosis Pilaris?
While some claim that suntanning can help relieve the bumpy skin associated with Keratosis Pilaris, it’s not generally recommended. Sun exposure can bring its own baggage, namely sunburn, sun damage, and the risks of developing forms of skin cancer. That’s why it’s always important to protect skin with a broad spectrum SPF sunscreen lotion and other sun protection measures.
To help rough, bumpy skin, even KP, we recommend working Aveeno® Tone + Texture Daily Renewing Lotion or Renewing Night Cream into your daily routine, in addition to a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion like Aveeno® Protect + Hydrate with SPF 60 or SPF 30.
Results by Aveeno® Tone & Texture
In a 4-week clinical study of Aveeno® Tone + Texture Daily Renewing Lotion:
100% saw improved dryness & scaling
98% saw improvement in roughness and overall skin texture
93% saw improved skin tone and overall skin appearance
In an 8-week study of Aveeno® Tone + Texture Daily Renewing Night Cream:
4 out of 5 consumers said they would replace their current body moisturizer
75% said the product helped them feel more confident in showing off their bumpy skin areas
Over 90% of consumers agreed:
After one use, their skin felt more moisturized
After 1 week of use, their skin felt nourished and softer
After 4 weeks of use, the feeling of their rough skin was improved
After 8 weeks of use, their skin felt smoother
Love your skin with Aveeno®
At Aveeno®, we believe that sensitive isn’t a skin type. It’s a skin state. Sensitive skin is natural, and we don’t shy away from sensitivity while developing effective, science-backed products.
Learn more about Aveeno® Tone + Texture so you can develop the confidence you deserve in skin you love.
References
Dabas G, Vinay K, Parsad D, Kumar A, Kumaran MS. Psychological disturbances in patients with pigmentary disorders: a cross-sectional study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Feb;34(2):392-399. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15987. Epub 2019 Oct 31. PMID: 31566833. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31566833/
Watson, Stephanie. Feel-good hormones: How they affect your mind, mood, and brain. Harvard Health Publishing. Published April 18, 2024, accessed April 14, 2025. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/feel-good-hormones-how-they-affect-your-mind-mood-and-body