But retinoids can be irritating. In order to ensure they don’t make any inflammation worse, Dr. Shah suggests using a retinol product specifically made for the body. He says that these products are usually lower in concentration than those for the face. A couple to try: Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion ($18, Target) and Nécessaire The Body Retinol ($55, Sephora). He recommends using your favorite lotion daily if you can tolerate it. Otherwise, limit it to twice or three times a week.
Over-the-counter cortisone creams
Dr. Madfes suggests keeping this in your back pocket for a quick fix when KP flares up in an unplanned time like just before a big occasion. It won’t help with the bumps, but it will tamp down inflammation and improve the overall appearance of your skin by making it look less discolored, she says. Still, she’s quick to note that OTC cortisone creams (which usually come in a 1% concentration, FYI) don’t target the root causes of KP like the options above do. It’s not going to work to apply it every day. But if you’re desperate to temporarily make your skin look better for a few days or so, it’s worth a try.
Three KP “treatments” that won’t work
Only physical exfoliation can be used
Physical exfoliants, like scrubs, remove dead skin physically. But, on their own, they’re not the best option for KP. “You really need some type of chemical exfoliation to first loosen the dead cells before you try to slough them away,” notes Dr. Madfes. You can’t just “scrub” the bumps off, adds Dr. Shah. “People go to town with scrubs or exfoliating gloves and exfoliate their skin into oblivion,” he says. This aggressive approach may make your skin a little smoother, but it’s also irritating and can make any existing inflammation worse, he adds.
All that being said, it’s possible to safely incorporate physical exfoliants into your bump-banishing routine, with a few caveats. If you’re going to use a scrub, pick a gentle one that also contains a chemical exfoliant, Dr. Shah says. First Aid Beauty KP Body Scrub (30, Sephora) is his favorite. It contains pumice and glycolic/lactic acids. Use it as part of your regular KP care protocol a few days per week. Always follow up with a gentle moisturizing lotion.
Dr. Madfes recommends pairing a bodywash containing an alpha hydroxy acid with the good old washcloth. Try Naturim The Smoother Body Wash (16 dollars, Amazon). If you go with this combo, you’ll want to do it a few times per week too, she adds.
Benzoyl peroxide
Dr. Madfes says that KP is sometimes mistaken for acne and people use benzoyl to treat it. And while BP is a tried-and-true acne treatment, it’s not going to do much for “chicken skin.” “Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial ingredient, and keratosis pilaris is not a bacterial issue,” she explains.
Diet changes
Lots of people on social media claim that eating less gluten helped with their keratosis pilaris, but there’s no correlation between the two, says Dr. Shah, who adds that there are no dietary interventions that will help KP. He hypothesizes these people have dermatitis hypetiformis – a skin condition that is caused by a gluten allergy and can manifest as red, blistery bumps. The big difference is that these bumps can be itchy or painful. KP does not.
Keratosis Pilaris is a major nuisance. But, while you can’t cure it or get rid of it completely, the derm-backed tips and tricks above can go a long way toward keeping the condition under control and improving the look (and feel) of your skin. And when it comes to KP, that’s really all you can ask for.
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