Rough skin on the chin or other parts of the face can be caused by a number of things. Here are the possible causes and what to do in each case.
Allergy or sensitivity If the area is also itchy or scaly, the cause could be an allergic reaction. Often times, the reaction is caused by an ingredient in your skin care products.
This could be a chemical or fragrance ingredient in your cleanser, moisturizer, or cosmetics.
If there is no itchiness and little or no flaking, the problem could be sensitivity to an ingredient in one or more of your skincare products.
Unlike an allergic reaction, sensitivities are very common and can develop over time, even if you’ve used the same skin care products for years.
The best way to rule out an allergy or sensitivity is to stop using all of your skin care products for at least a day or two.
You can use plain water to clean the area and just skip everything else for a while. A good time to try this is on the weekend.
If the rough skin on your chin or other part of your face disappears after this test, you can do one of two things.
You can try to isolate the cause by adding one product at a time to your regular routine. That is a time consuming process. The other alternative is to buy a new line of skin care and cosmetic products that are free of allergens and irritants.
Excessive dryness Roughness is often related to dryness. While dry skin can be itchy and scaly, the only symptom could be roughness.
It is unusual for a dryness problem to be limited to only one area. But it could be that most of your face is dry and you haven’t noticed the problem.
The solution to excessive dryness is to use a good moisturizer that does not contain petroleum jelly or mineral oil.
Those ingredients can cause dryness and roughness by changing the skin’s natural pH level.
Waxing If you are a man or you shave or a woman who uses any type of facial hair removal, your problem with rough skin on your chin may be caused by that. Constantly shaving the same area will cause roughness.
Using wax or another type of waxing system can also cause roughness. The solution here is not easy. The best advice is to use a good lubricant when shaving.
Natural grapeseed oil is actually an excellent thrifty lubricant. After shaving, you can use witch hazel to soften and soothe your skin. Some men’s facial fluids contain both ingredients, so you can use only one product.
For women, the best solution is to try a different hair removal process and always follow the process with a good moisturizer.
Remember to avoid petroleum jelly and mineral oil.
An underlying health problem If none of the above solutions solve your rough skin problem on the chin or other areas, you should see your doctor or dermatologist.
There could be a problem with your thyroid gland, especially if you have other symptoms.