This post will be sharing the 13 best products for Keratosis Pilaris.
If there’s one condition I’ve had all my life, aside from the scars that come with being clumsy and restless, it is Keratosis Pilaris.
Also known as Strawberry and/or Chicken Skin,
Personally, I’ve always felt super insecure about it.
So, I asked my friend who also had it.
Turns out, she didn’t know it was a thing hence she wasn’t bothered by it.
That was years ago. If I ask her now, she’s probably also looking for a way to get rid of it.
Maybe social media has heightened our insecurities, or maybe it’s simply the fact that we’re all getting older and becoming more aware of the imperfections we have experienced most of our lives.
If you ask me, I think it’s a combination of both.
Treating your skin conditions is safe as long as you can afford it and it makes you feel better.
As long as you have a realistic expectation of what skin should look like when compared to photoshopped social media perceptions, you should be fine.
What is Keratosis Pilaris?
Keratosis Pilaris is actually a common, harmless skin condition where small, painless bumps appear on your skin.
It happens when your hair follicles become blocked with a build-up of Keratin.
If you are familiar with the composition of the skin, you would know that Keratin is the protein in your skin that makes up your hair and nails.
So, when your body naturally exfoliates itself, instead of the dead skin falling off completely, it is trapped in your hair follicles and manifests as bumps, similar to acne.
Keratosis Pilaris mostly shows up in the arms, thighs and legs.
It is also characterized as rough, bumpy, and/or itchy and is usually more pronounced than one’s skin tone.
Now that we’re fully aware of Keratosis Pilaris let’s find out the best products to treat it. It is worth noting that while it can be treated, it can also come back, particularly if it is genetic.
So, make sure your body care routine has exfoliating products you can use regularly to keep it at bay.
Here are 13 of the best products for Keratosis Pilaris that are worth trying.
Based on my experience, there are three major ingredients that I’ve found to be most effective when treating KP.
These are the activities you should look out for when buying body care products to treat KP.
They are;
- Lactic Acid – 10% and above
- Salicylic Acid – 2% and above ( if available )
- Urea (10% and above)
As you’ll see from the products I’ll be recommending shortly, they all have one or more of the actives above in one formulation.
Personally, I’ve gotten results from single active products, but you can also try products that combine multiple actives to see how they work for you.
In no particular order;
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Weightless Body Treatment
I currently use the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant in my skincare routine.
I figured I could also buy another one and use it for my body since it’s the most effective on the market.
But then I found out about this product.
While I was a bit hesitant because of the price, I’ve had absolutely no regrets, especially since it has lasted for a while.
I have a full review coming up in the coming weeks.
But let me just say that I saw VISIBLE results after two weeks. It was UNREAL, especially since I’ve tried other Salicylic Acid products for my body in the past.
I’m almost done with my first bottle, and I’m making plans to repurchase it.
Cerave SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin
While the Paula’s Choice product might not be as popular and affordable, this Cerave SA Lotion is a cheaper alternative.
Cerave doesn’t typically disclose the percentage of actives in their products, but the Salicylic Acid in this one is high on the ingredient list.
Combined with Ammonium Lactate, which is a combination of Lactic Acid and Ammonium Peroxide, this is a lightweight, non-greasy formula that works for most skin types.
But if you have dry, dehydrated skin like me, I’d prefer you go for the Cerave SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin.
It is more emollient and will keep your skin moisturized for longer. If you’re getting either the lotion or cream version, make sure you get the Cerave SA Body Wash as well.
Eucerin Urea Repair 10% Lotion
Eucerin is an underrated brand that doesn’t get enough love.
They have some of the best products for dry, bumpy, atopic eczema-prone skin.
Anytime I want to shop for new body care products, I always check Eucerin first.
This lotion has 10% Urea with Lactic Acid.
If you have dry, itchy skin with KP, you can use this product or another salicylic acid-based product.
Amlactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
A lot of people with Keratosis Pilaris swear by Amlactin.
It contains 12% Ammonium Lactate, a combination of Lactic Acid and Ammonium Peroxide, one of the highest percentages you’ll find in any body care product.
Depending on your location, it might not be the most accessible, but based on the general consensus, it definitely works.
Cerave SA Smoothing Cream
The only difference between the Cerave SA Smoothing Cream and the SA Cream for Rough and Bumpy is that the former contains 10% Urea while the latter doesn’t.
Also, depending on what part of the world you are in, you’ll only have access to one version.
Regardless of whichever one you choose, they have both been shown to be effective against mild Keratosis Pilaris.
So, if you have a teenager and you need something gentle, this definitely works.
Don’t forget to use it with the Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser as well.
Palmer’s Anti-Aging Smoothing Lotion
During my search for other exfoliating products to treat KP, I discovered this unpopular one from Palmer’s.
I’m sure you’ve come across Palmer’s range of Cocoa Butter products that treat rough, dry skin.
The only difference with this one is that it has both AHA & BHA.
With Lactic Acid as the second ingredient and Salicylic Acid in the middle, this lightweight lotion is not too shabby. I’ll be trying it soon when I’m done with my Ameliorate.
Ameliorate Skin Smoothing Body Lotion
Ameliorate is supposed to be our UK version of Amlactin, but the prices can be quite discouraging.
Hence, it can’t be categorized as a drugstore product.
The entire brand is targeted towards the treatment of Keratosis Pilaris.
So, if you can afford it, I suggest you get the Nourishing Body Wash and Smoothing Body Exfoliant and use them all together to get faster results.
Otherwise, you can just use the body lotion, which is formulated with Lactic Acid and Urea. I’m currently trying it out, and I’m loving it.
Gold Bond Ultimate Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy
Gold Bond is another brand that I have never heard people talking about.
But somehow, it always shows up in my compilations because they seem to have products for everything.
This isn’t any different. It is formulated with Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Lactate and derivatives of Vitamin C and Urea.
It also contains plant extracts and emollients to deeply moisturize dry, flaky, and bumpy skin.
I reckon this would be a perfect all-in-one moisturizer for the winter.
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub
There’s a lot of influencer hype around the First Aid Beauty brand, so I was slightly tempted to try it.
I’m currently using the Ultra Repair Cream as my nighttime Summer moisturizer, and it’s not too bad at all.
When I heard about this KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub, I figured it would be good, too.
With 10% AHA, which is comprised of glycolic and lactic acid, it is the perfect exfoliating body scrub.
While I enjoy using chemical exfoliants for my body, I also enjoy a good scrub after a shower.
How amazing is it to combine both physical and chemical exfoliation in one product?!
Count me in!
So, if you’re extra like me and have an extensive body care routine, this scrub will be a great addition to your shower routine.
Glytone Exfoliating Body Lotion
One of the best products for Keratosis Pilaris is this Glytone Body Lotion.
Unlike your face, where the skin is more sensitive and requires you to be more gentle, you can go all out with the high percentages on your body,
In fact, I suggest you get a full chemical peel for your body.
This has a whopping 17.5% Glycolic Acid, the highest I’ve seen in any product.
Based on the general consensus, this product definitely works, as you will get results faster.
DermaDoctor KP Duty Dry, Rough Bumpy Skin Therapy
I always love it when body care products come in kits and bundles.
This tells me that the brand understands how thick your body’s skin is and how long it takes to get results.
So, using two products together helps you stay a lot more motivated to get fast results.
This KP duty duo from DermaDoctor is a lotion and scrub formulated with 10% AHAs combined with Willow Bark, a natural BHA, Urea, and PHAs. Whew!
It’s packed!
I would have loved to try these products if they had used salicylic acid instead of willow bark, but we’ll see. They might actually be surprisingly good.
DRMTLGY Exfoliating Body Lotion
Another great exfoliating product with a high percentage of Lactic Acid is this one from DRMTLGY.
Unlike Ameliorate, it has 12% lactic acid combined with ceramides and peptides.
It’s mostly targeted as an anti-ageing solution, but it will be equally effective as a treatment for Keratosis Pilaris.
Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion
Another exfoliating lotion you can try is this one from Alpha Skincare.
With 12% Glycolic Acid, this is one of the first products to introduce high-percentage body care products.
This super-simple formula is perfect for those who prefer single-ingredient products.
Remember to use it with the Moisturizing Body Wash as well.
In Conclusion,
I hope you have found this list of the best products for Keratosis Pilaris useful.
Make sure you give your skin ample time between 6 – 12 weeks to work before discarding or concluding on a product.
Leave a Reply