Tag: Keratosis

We consulted a panel of dermatologists who gave specific recommendations based on their expertise. Treatments that weren’t explicitly recommended had specific ingredients that those doctors suggested. Others had high online ratings from people with KP.

Those little bumps of yours are caused by the buildup of the protein keratin, which plugs up the hair follicles, creating the little spikes of skin — it tends to be worse in people with dry skin. “Keratosis pilaris is commonly seen in people who have eczema or other conditions that make their skin prone to dryness,” says Dr. Yadav. “The skin can feel rough or scaly in the affected areas, and the bumps are usually skin-colored.” She adds that the condition can get worse in the winter, since cold weather and low humidity dry out the skin. “Anything that can irritate or dry the skin has the potential to worsen KP,” adds Dr. Matlock. “This includes things like harsh, drying soaps, fragrances, detergents, aggressive exfoliation, and hot water—including hot showers.”

Salicylic acid, lactic acid and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are all ingredients in keratolytics, also known as chemical exfoliators—these are used to remove the buildup of dead skin. All three can be effective in softening up the keratin plugs that cause the bumps on your skin. “Make sure you’re not too harsh or forceful on your skin when you use these,” says Dr. Yadav.

Keeping up a regular routine of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing with products specifically designed to tread KP is your best bet, but it won’t happen overnight. “Remember this is a genetic condition! Although we can do things to make it look better, it is in your DNA, so don’t get frustrated,” says Dr. Gohara. “Generally, this naturally gets better and less noticeable with time.” If you are really concerned with your KP, talk to your dermatologist, who may suggest retinoids, topical steroids or anti-inflammatories, or even laser treatments.

As senior editor in the Hearst Health Newsroom, Marisa Cohen spends her days doing deep dives into health and wellness topics, covering every topic from head to toe (literally). She has spent more than 20 years interviewing top experts in their fields, reading through medical journals, and navigating information from reliable online sources to bring trustworthy advice to readers. In addition to writing for Good Housekeeping and Prevention, she has previously contributed health features to Self, Real Simple, Fitness, Health, WebMD, and Fit Pregnancy, among other magazines and websites.