While we long for sun-drenched skin throughout the long winter, the warmer weather can wreak havoc on our skin - particularly for those who suffer from keratosis pilaris.
Sometimes known as chicken skin or strawberry legs, keratosis pilaris presents as stubborn bumps on various regions of your skin like your upper arms. While it is usually harmless, it can be aggravated with heat and dryness and lead to itchiness and irritation. It may also cause hyperpigmentation in people with sensitivities or for darker skin tones.
According to Skinsight, around 40 per cent of adults suffer from keratosis pilaris, and even more in teenagers. The hashtag #KeratosisPilaris has 302 million views on TikTok and counting, yet it is widely unknown and often misunderstood. What’s more, the wrong products can further exacerbate the situation.
To help us understand this skin condition, we consulted Dr Ophelia Veraitch, an award-winning Consultant Dermatologist to decode keratosis pilaris.
What is keratosis pilaris?
“Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition. The Latin term keratosis means ‘scaly skin’ and pilaris means ‘hair’. Those affected may complain about ‘chicken skin’ or ‘goosebumps’ on the skin. These small bumps can be skin coloured, brown or red and they can feel rough, dry and itchy. It most commonly occurs on the outer aspect of the upper arms and thighs. They can also be associated with redness and pigmentation on the sunken areas on the cheeks and loss of eyebrow hair in extreme cases.”
What causes keratosis pilaris?
“Keratosis pilaris occurs due to an abnormality in the lining of the upper part of the hair follicle. Usually, it is an inherited condition, and there has been an association with a mutation in the gene ‘filaggrin’ - a skin barrier protein. It is more common in those that have a personal or family history of eczema, asthma or hayfever.”
Do you need to see a dermatologist for treatment?
“Keratosis pilaris is a very common skin condition and only really needs to be seen by a dermatologist if a diagnosis is unclear. If the diagnosis of keratosis pilaris is clearly established, I would suggest following a simple skincare routine with products to treat. However if the diagnosis is unclear, or the topical treatments/ clinic treatments don’t work I would suggest seeking expert advice from a consultant dermatologist.”
What do you recommend for a treatment?
“I would recommend a mix of topical creams or clinical treatments. Using a regime at home and in clinic, chemical peels with a dermatologist is very effective. A course of treatments with laser hair removal can also be extremely effective.”
Are topical AHAs and BHAs helpful to get rid of them?â¯
“Yes, AHAs (such as glycolic and lactic acids) and BHAs (salicylic acids) can be very useful ingredients to treat keratosis pilaris. The work to ‘unglue’ the plugging in the hair follicle lining that causes the bumps of keratosis pilaris.”
How do you avoid keratosis pilaris?
“By looking after your skin barrier by using non-soap substitutes as soap dries the skin and can make keratosis pilaris worse. Also moisturising (once at least, but twice daily) with an emollient can help avoid the development of keratosis pilaris, in those who have a tendency for it.
“Water softeners and air humidifiers can also be helpful for those prone to dry skin conditions.”
Shop below for the soothing and exfoliating formulas to help smooth keratosis pilaris.
In cases of extreme discomfort, it is always best to seek advice from a dermatologist for treatment.
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NATURIUM KP Body Scrub & Mask
Making high-powered formulations affordable, NATURIUM is a bestseller for a reason. The brand produces active ingredient-boosted formulas without the typical high price points to match. With this launch, it is tackling the issue of Keratosis Pilaris, a very common skin concern that results in rough, bumpy skin.
To combat this, it combines three supercharged ingredients – glycolic acid, salicylic acid and polyhydroxy acid. These chemical exfoliants work to slough dead skin cells and unclog pores and are included alongside pumice and jojoba esters that act as physical buffing elements so you’re covered from every angle.
Buy now £20.00, Space NK
Eucerin UreaRepair Plus 5% Urea Replenishing Body Wash
Dermatologist-approved, this should be the first step in your body care routine. It is a gentle and effective body wash for dry, rough skin. With its combination of gentle cleansers, it delivers moisture back to skin, and protects the skin’s natural barrier to counteract dryness that can cause the return of KP.
Buy now £12.00, Boots
Cetraben Body Lotion
This body lotion is a soothing treat for eczema-prone skin but may also be a solution to KP. When a flare-up occurs and your skin is feeling itchy and irritated, call on this calming formula to nourish and moisturise your skin from head to toe.
Layer up to remove the uncomfortable feeling and give your skin the opportunity to absorb the inflammation-reducing product.
Buy now £12.45, Amazon
Paula’s Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA
Paula’s Choice is beloved by skincare enthusiasts for its science-backed formulations from its facial care to body. This lotion consists of a winning concoction of exfoliating and moisturising ingredients like glycolic acid and shea butter.
Its formula is gentle and kind to skin without sacrificing efficacy where it removes the build-up of dead skin cells to leave you with smoother, more radiant skin - something that will no doubt be appreciated when a KP flare-up arises.
Buy now £33.00, Paula’s Choice
First Aid Beauty KP Smoothing Body Lotion with 10% AHA
Targeted label First Aid has formulated this body lotion, especially for treating keratosis pilaris. It contains the gentle exfoliant lactic acid that has resurfacing action to buff away dry skin and minimise the appearance of bumps and uneven texture. Through a combination of soothing colloidal oatmeal, urea and ceramides, it also brings moisture levels in spades and leaves healthier-looking skin in its wake.
Buy now £18.00, lookfantastic
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream with Salicylic Acid for Dry, Rough & Bumpy Skin
US drugstore label CeraVe has been a go-to for sensitive skin types since the brand’s inception. The formulas are hard-working and yet are gentle enough not to cause further irritation or redness. This Smoothing Cream has a unique resurfacing effect but at the same time, it’s bringing a whole lot of moisture to your skin, imparting up toâ¯24 hours of hydration.
It is packed with powerhouse acids like salicylic and lactic that are known for their blemish-busting and gentle exfoliating properties respectively, while the inclusion of ceramides within the formulation works to fortify the skin’s barrier. Soft, smooth skin need not be a pipe dream.
Buy now £22.00, Cult Beauty
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion
Drunk Elephant is a cult brand and one of the many reasons it’s beloved by dermatologists, skincare experts, beauty editors and those in the know is because each and every product is created to be entirely free from nasties like silicones and SLS that can cause irritation.
For that reason, its range is ideal to not trigger sensitivities like KP. This body lotion puts exfoliating glycolic acid at its heart which will not only help to leave skin with a smooth finish but also tackles hyperpigmentation that may occur during a flare-up.
Buy now £28.00, Space NK
Face Theory Glycolic Acid Scrub - E1
Scrubs have had a bad rap over the years and are often not the first port of call when a flare-up or sensitivity arises. Until now.
Face Theory has formulated this textured formula with a cocktail of glycolic acid, salicylic acid and natural jojoba beads that make this product stand out from the crowd. It works to eliminate surface oil and dead skin and helps with the KP bumps without leading to further irritation.
Buy now £15.00, Face Theory
Dr Ophelia Acne day serum
This product is straight out of consultant dermatologist Dr Ophelia’s own skincare line, and while it was designed for acne treatment, the skincare expert has been seeing good results in her patience with KP. This serum is brimming with keratosis pilaris-busting ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid and zinc sulphate.
Buy now £125.00, Dr Ophelia
