Sometimes your skin can give you surprises in the form of a few bumps here and a few bumps there, which are sometimes itchy but mostly rough—that's how it is with keratosis pilaris, a skin condition that is more annoying than harmful. We can say with confidence that no one wants their skin to resemble that of a freshly plucked chicken and start looking for the best treatments for keratosis pilaris. Based on our firsthand experience, it is not an easy journey. 

Keratosis pilaris, or KP in short, is nothing more than the accumulation of dead skin cells in the form of tiny bumps on the skin's surface. These bumps don't put you at harm but simply exist with their pesky being. According to board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Muneeb Shah, some people call it chicken skin, while others call it strawberry skin, keratosis pilaris is a skin condition where you see little red, scaly bumps on your arms, thighs, and sometimes on your cheeks. It is most commonly found in adults and young teenagers (1). Dr. Luke Maxfield, another board-certified dermatologist explains that it is caused due to the build-up of skin in the hair follicles or keratinization of hair follicles. He specifies that despite looking benign, the KP bumps are a difficult condition to treat, however, it can be managed using exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid which must be combined with moisturizing ingredients like ammonium lactate (1).

Our research indicates that it usually goes away on its own gradually over the years. Studies suggest that KP-ridden skin clears mostly by 30 years of age (2). However, with the help of some over-the-counter keratosis pilaris treatments, you can manage it at home and see faster results. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a mix of exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, retinoids, and moisturizing ingredients like urea can help diminish the bumps with time (3). 

It won’t be easy as keratosis pilaris is quite stubborn but it surely is doable. Join us as we explore some of the best products for keratosis pilaris and get ready to welcome soft, smooth, and flawless skin. Keep reading to know more about our handpicked recommendations and how you pick your ideal KP treatment amongst all the products.

Keratosis pilaris is the bane of our existence (but not in the sweet Bridgerton kind of way). It is a common skin condition that plagues about 40% to 80% of people worldwide (4). It is characterized by rough and raised bumps on the skin's surface that almost look like goosebumps, but are more permanent. Other common and widely accepted names for this condition include chicken skin because it resembles the skin of freshly plucked chicken and strawberry skin. After all, the raised bumps appear red and dotted like that of a strawberry.

Often appearing on areas including your face, arms, thighs, butt, and legs, keratosis pilaris is caused when the skin overproduces keratin, which along with dead skin cells clogs the hair follicles, leaving acne-like small bumps all over the skin's surface. They appear red or pink in fair skin tones and brown in medium and dark skin tones. It may not be harmful but in some cases, it can feel itchy. Otherwise, it is a common cosmetic concern.  

The exact reason for keratin buildup and thus, keratosis pilaris are still not known, however, studies suggest that certain conditions like atopic dermatitis and skin dryness can increase the chances of KP. Genetics is also an important deciding factor. Our contributor Eliza Pineda, In-house hair expert at Mayraki Professional, says, “Keratosis pilaris is caused by the accumulation of dead skin and other factors on the skin barrier. Regularly exfoliating and cleansing the scalp can help prevent this.”

While there is no permanent cure, there are treatments that can help you manage this skin condition. Keep reading to know more details!

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  Editor's Pick

  ISDIN Body Lotion Uradin10

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It's key to take utmost care of your keratosis pilaris and this body lotion by ISDIN. It soothes irritated skin, calms any inflammation, and hydrates the epidermis. Enriched with 10% urea, this lotion is fast absorbing and dermatologically tested. The other nourishing ingredients include avocado, lactic acid, sodium hydroxide, panthenol, and glycerin among others. It provides intense 24-hour moisture. The non-greasy texture makes it suitable for oily skin too. 

2

Most Exfoliating

First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub

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Amongst all the keratosis pilaris treatments, this First Aid Beauty Body Scrub stands a class apart. It is a seamless blend of both physical and chemical exfoliants that slough away dead skin cells easily and effectively. It combines the power of two potent AHAs, glycolic acid and lactic acid, at a combined strength of 10%, which is the ideal concentration of AHAs as suggested by dermatologists worldwide for effectively treating KP. You can see a difference from the very first use as it decongests pores, improves rough bumpy texture, and gives way to smoother skin. Drawing from our experience, we can say that it might not show you life-altering results but it shows results nonetheless.

3

Most Budget-friendly

AmLactin Daily Nourish Exfoliating & Moisturizing Lotion

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Lactic acid for keratosis pilaris is the gold standard. It helps unclog the pores and remove the excess keratin and dead skin cells deposited around the hair follicles. And there cannot be a better way to treat these pesky bumps than opting for a popular lactic acid-based brand. Within a few uses, this super nourishing lotion with 12% lactic acid helps the skin look and feel smoother than before. It chemically exfoliates the skin gently and helps shed away the dead skin more efficiently, while also moisturizing it to reveal radiant skin. As indicated by our tests, apart from keratosis pilaris, this lotion can be used to get rid of rough and scaly skin caused due to eczema.

4

Best Drugstore Formula

CeraVe SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin

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A moisturizing cream with salicylic acid is a one-stop solution for multiple skin concerns, including rough skin, cystic acne, calluses, and uneven skin texture, to name a few. Because salicylic acid is a popular BHA known for going deep into the pores for a through cleanse, using salicylic acid for keratosis pilaris proves to be quite effective as it unclogs the pores of the accumulated debris, excess keratin, and dead skin cells. It is also the go-to choice for individuals with acne-prone skin. With 10% urea and 3 types of ceramides as two of its key ingredients, it helps strengthen the skin barrier and improves its functioning. It has a rich and velvety smooth texture that glides on skin like butter to give you skin that feels silky soft and smooth, exactly like butter. Our team discovered through using this product that within the first few uses, this CeraVe cream softens the bumps and gradually reduces their size to ultimately non-existent.

5

Best for Dry Skin

Ebanel Intensive Moisturizing & Repairing 40% Urea Cream

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The best keratosis pilaris treatment is the one that makes a balance between exfoliation and moisturizing. It must slough away dead skin cells gently while also moisturizing the skin. And you get this perfect combo in this Ebanel moisturizing cream. It is formulated with 40% urea and 2% salicylic acid, along with other key ingredients like tea tree oil, coconut oil, green tea, and aloe vera. After putting it to the test, we can say that this product is heaven-sent for individuals with extremely dry skin.

6

Most Moisturizing

Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Skin Therapy Cream

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Enjoy the incredibly hydrating formula of this cream from Gold Bond and witness your skin transform for the better. It is the best KP treatment formulated with urea, shea butter, cocoa butter, salicylic acid, ginger root extract, fruit enzymes, and other antioxidants. Apart from BHAs and fruit AHAs, this moisturizing cream also contains PHAs, a mild but effective exfoliant. 

Speaking of PHAs, our contributor Eliza Penida says, “Much like the skin on the face, the scalp benefits from chemical exfoliation especially if it suffers from a few skin issues like acne, dermatitis, etc. PHAs are a gentler version of AHAs and can be used to exfoliate and moisturize the skin at the same time.” This medley of chemical exfoliants sloughs off the dead skin cells and gives way to clear, brighter skin. With its wonderfully thick texture, you don't have to slather it on. A little amount goes a long way to get you the desired results. When we trialed this product, we discovered that it improves the rough and uneven texture while also softening up the skin.

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Best for Smooth Skin

Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA

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Lotions are no longer just for moisturizing your skin. They do so much more, which is why you must get your hands on this cult-favorite lotion from Paula's Choice. With key ingredients including 2% salicylic acid, vitamin E, chamomile, green tea, and willow herb, it not only reduces the appearance of all those pesky bumps, but it also gets rid of the redness without leaving behind any greasy residue. No wonder it is one of the best products for keratosis pilaris. After conducting experiments with it, we gathered that its 2-in-1 lightweight formula works quite well to smoothen the rough and scaly skin of elbows, knees, and heels for the softest skin of your dreams, whether or not you have keratosis pilaris.

8

Best for Sensitive Skin

Eucerin Roughness Relief Cream

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Take your fight against keratosis pilaris to the next level with everyone's favorite brand, Eucerin. They are known for their incredibly nourishing and sensitive-skin-friendly formulas and this body cream is no different. While keratosis pilaris is a stubborn skin condition that requires a lot of time and effort, as per dermatologists, being consistent with moisturizing and exfoliation can help manage the pesky bumps. Thanks to the star ingredients like NMF, sunflower seed oil, ceramide 3, and urea, this keratosis pilaris treatment cream effectively improves the appearance of rough, dry, and bumpy skin. It offers gentle exfoliation and intense moisturization that improves the appearance of rough and bumpy skin over time. It strengthens the skin barrier and improves its overall health. Through our practical knowledge, we suggest it for extremely dry skin and colder days.

9

Best Vegan Formula

touch KP Exfoliating Wash

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The touch KP Exfoliating Wash is the best product for keratosis pilaris, especially for beginners. Since it is a wash-off product that won't stay on the skin for as long as body lotions or creams, beginners to actives can use it with ease without worrying about skin irritation. It combines the power of both AHAs and BHAs in one with 15% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid for the win. Our investigation demonstrated that it is quite effective on those pesky bumps and removes them entirely with regular use.

10

Best Treatment Cream

AmLactin KP Bumps Be Gone Exfoliating & Hydrating Cream

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AmLactin products for keratosis pilaris are a holy grail for many. With 15% lactic acid in the forms of ammonium lactate, potassium lactate, and sodium lactate, it offers gentle exfoliation and improves the appearance of the skin. With just one application, you can start seeing and feeling the results. Its thick texture does the trick and makes your skin silky soft and smooth. Our findings show that its moisturizing formula visibly softens rough skin texture and reduces bumps with consistent use.

11

Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash

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The Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash is the best exfoliator for keratosis pilaris that would make your skin glow each time you use it. This glycolic acid-infused body wash helps exfoliate the rough and uneven texture of the skin. It smoothes the bumps generally associated with KP and ultimately gets rid of them to give you soft and clear skin. It uses a lower concentration of glycolic acid, but it still packs a powerful exfoliating action. We have found from using this product that you can use it daily or on alternate days, depending on your skin’s requirements.

12

Everclear Now Microdermabrasion Deep Cleansing Soap

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This keratosis pilaris body scrub soap from Everclear Now offers a 2-in-1 action where it not only cleanses your skin of all the dirt and debris, but also sloughs away the dead skin cells to give you nice, clean, and smooth skin. It has microdermabrasion beads that help scrub down the rough bumps and scaly patches with ease. It comes infused with a combination of sodium palmate and magnesium oxide at a concentration of 7% that helps reduce the redness to completely clarify your skin. However, after trying out this product, we suggest using it sparingly and with a gentle touch as going with too much force can further damage your skin.

13

DERMAdoctor KP Duty Dermatologist Formulated Body Scrub

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For dreamy soft skin, get your hands on this DERMAdoctor body scrub that combines the benefits of microdermabrasion and a chemical peel into one. With a potent combination of AHAs (glycolic acid and lactic acid) and PHAs at a 10% concentration, along with other key ingredients including evening primrose oil, black currant oil, willow bark, and hydrated silica, this scrub removes dead skin cells and softens the KP bumps to give you smooth skin. It is one of the best keratosis pilaris treatments, given how it reduces the pesky bumpy texture, revitalizes the skin, and improves its overall appearance.

14

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment

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Move on from scrubs, washes, and lotions for keratosis pilaris, and get your hands on these all-over body towels from Dr. Dennis Gross. Each towel is infused with salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, enzymes, and bakuchiol to help brighten the skin. These towels allow you to use powerful chemical exfoliants directly on your skin without any fuss. They are quite effective at getting rid of dead skin cells, uneven skin texture, rough patches, and bumpy skin to reveal clear, soft, and smooth skin for the win. Based on our observations, the towels are adequately saturated and are your one-stop solution for flawless and younger-looking skin.

15

Instaderm KP Exfoliating Lotion

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Erase the red little pesky bumps from your skin with one of the best lotions for keratosis pilaris! This Instaderm Exfoliating Lotion packs the power of salicylic acid, fruit AHAs, and rich emollients to exfoliate and moisturize your skin simultaneously. It is quite an effective and multi-purpose treatment that targets KP bumps, body acne, and ingrown hair. No matter the skin concern, this treatment will clear it all to give you flawless skin that is softer and smoother than ever. We determined through our tests that consistent use of this lotion prevents those pesky bumps from coming back.

16

Skinfix Resurface+ Glycolic Renewing Scrub

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Scrub your skin woes away with the Skinfix Resurface+ Glycolic Renewing Scrub. With 7% glycolic acid and 6% lactic acid, this 2-in-1 peel and polish starts showing results from the very first use. It visibly reduces the appearance of bumps and ultimately removes them entirely. It is one of the most potent body scrubs that you can get your hands on. This creamy scrub is a must-have in your skincare arsenal. It has a gritty texture yet is not so abrasive as to cause micro-tears in the skin. Our analysis of this product revealed that it refines, polishes, and smoothes rough, bumpy, crepey, and scaly skin with regular use.

Choosing the best treatments for keratosis pilaris can be a confusing and overwhelming experience. However, with us in the picture, it doesn't have to be so. We are here with some general aspects that you must keep in mind to make an informed choice. We have summarized all those important factors down below:

Skin Type

First of all, you must consider your skin type, whether you have dry, oily, normal, or combination skin type. Also, consider if you have acne-prone skin or any sensitivity issues. This is also the time when you must consider if you have any severe skin conditions that require restrictions on the use of certain ingredients.

Type of Product

Over-the-counter keratosis pilaris treatments are available in many forms, including soaps, scrubs, creams, and lotions. So, which one must you choose? It depends on the intensity of your condition, the part of your body it is on, and your personal preferences.

Ingredients

Read the product label carefully to ensure that it doesn't contain any ingredients that may cause skin allergies or irritation. Look for exfoliating ingredients like glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and retinol as well as moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, urea, and glycerin.

Formula and Texture

Opt for non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic formulas. Since there are different treatments available for keratosis pilaris, you must opt for the texture that suits your skin type and needs as well as preferences. You may opt for creams, lotions, serums, gels, ointments, microdermabrasion scrubs, or resurfacing pads, to name a few textures.

Consult a Dermatologist

It is always a good idea to consult a board-certified dermatologist, especially if you feel more lost than ever in the never-ending sea of treatment products for keratosis pilaris. They can diagnose if you actually have this skin condition or not, and guide you accordingly while suggesting personalized recommendations.

Customer Reviews

Read some customer reviews on various online platforms. This will help you gain valuable insights into the efficacy and performance of the treatments through real-life experiences of people with similar skin types and concerns.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the best products for keratosis pilaris for optimal results

• A skincare routine begins with clean hands. Use a gentle hand wash to clean your hands and pat them dry before going on to cleanse your skin.
• Similarly, use a gentle cleanser to cleanse the affected area. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat the skin dry.
• If you are using a soap or exfoliating wash treatment then use those instead of your regular cleanser. Follow up with a nourishing moisturizer depending on your skin type.
• After cleansing, apply the treatment. For creams, lotions, and serums, dispense a small amount and apply to the affected area using gentle circular motions. Let it get absorbed fully. Add more if needed.
• If you are using pre-soaked resurfacing pads or wipes, simply swipe them over the affected area. Wait for the treatment to get absorbed into the skin before following up with a nourishing lotion.
• Ensure that the moisturizer you use is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
• Before using any keratosis pilaris treatments, don't forget to patch test. Wait for about 24 to 48 hours to confirm there are no negative reactions.
• Consistency is the key when it comes to skincare. Be regular with your treatment to see visible results.
• Always wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and broad-spectrum protection when going outdoors.
• Talk to your dermatologist if your skin does not respond well to the treatment.
• It will require some time and consistency, so don't forget to be patient with your treatments and your skin.

Keratosis pilaris aka chicken skin is more common than you might think. While it has no permanent cure, you can use some of the best treatments for keratosis pilaris to manage this skin condition. It commonly affects your face, arms, and thighs with rough and itchy bumps covering the skin. However, it’s not the end of the world. In most cases, KP doesn’t bother you much except for its bumpy appearance. It can also fade away on its own. Experts suggest the use of treatments that are both exfoliating and moisturizing to help it fade faster without being harsh to your skin. With our recommendations and comprehensive guide you can choose the ideal treatment for your skin without any worries.

Contributor: Eliza Pineda, In-house hair expert at Mayraki Professional