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Jun 15, 2023

The 13 Best Keratosis Pilaris Treatments Of 2023, Per Dermatologists

Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why Trust Us? Bumps, be gone! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately,

Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why Trust Us?

Bumps, be gone!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately, clogged pores don’t only exist on your face. In fact, about 40 percent of adults develop pesky bumps on their legs, arms, and bum. If you can relate, you may be dealing with keratosis pilaris (KP), or hard-to-treat bumps that can make the skin feel rough or sandpaper-y.

Meet the experts: Geeta Yadav, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology. Thomas Griffin, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and department chair of the Laser and Aesthetics Surgery Center at Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting. Faranak Kamangar, MD is a board-certified dermatologist, psoriasis specialist, and founder of PSO Telehealth. Dendy Engelman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City.

KP isn't a skin condition that just goes away over time, but the good news is there are plenty of products available that can dramatically reduce the appearance of KP. We consulted a handful of dermatologists for their picks on the best keratosis pilaris treatments of 2023—and other advice on what causes it. Read ahead to see their recommendations.

There’s a reason this daily moisturizing lotion was a top choice for every dermatologist we spoke with—it works! “This drugstore pick is a classic product for treating KP and it uses a high concentration of lactic acid—a gentle chemical exfoliant—to slough away dead skin and reduce the appearance of rough texture,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology. Plus, it’s fragrance-free and deeply moisturizes the skin in a non-greasy type of way.

Rave review: "I have tried many lotions for KP and this is by far the best. Has almost totally cleared my skin—wish I had found this 10 years ago."

“I love the mix of ingredients in this product because it uses a blend of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide, and urea to help smooth, clarify, and brighten,” says Dr. Yadav. "Plus glycerin, allantoin, and postbiotics to support a healthy skin barrier and lock moisture into the skin." In other words, you really get a bang for your buck.

Rave review:"The most AMAZING healing lotion for my KP! I have always struggled with KP (so the little bumps on my arms) and have tried to find a solution...This works well and doesn’t smell harsh!"

If you’re in a pinch, you can run into any drugstore to find this body lotion for rough and bumpy skin, says board-certified dermatologist Thomas Griffin, MD. It uses salicylic acid, lactic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide to help reduce dryness and irritation, and offers 24-hour hydration to keep your skin cool, calm, and comfortable, he adds.

Rave review: "This is one of the creams I must use for a skin condition I have, and it works beautifully! Have used it for some time and it is the best!"

Say goodbye to pesky KP with this gel body treatment that simultaneously exfoliates and hydrates to resurface dull, rough skin. “Despite how potent this formula is, it has a high concentration of a retexturizing hydroxyethyl urea/aminosulfonic acid compound and four percent niacinamide, and has a very comfortable, lightweight gel texture that absorbs easily,” says Dr. Yadav.

Rave review: "This is the only product I found so far that works for my keratosis [pilaris] on legs and arms! Highly recommend!"

Seven moisturizers in one product is tough to beat, and this Gold Bond skin therapy is perfect for even the driest skin. It also contains salicylic and lactic acid to gently exfoliate, without causing redness or irritation.

Rave review: "I used this product for over a year. I stopped using it for a bit and the bumps were back. Now it’s a beauty product staple!!"

This overnight peel is a multi-action treatment to gently exfoliate, refine pores, and visibly soften, smooth, and brighten dull skin. On top of that, board-certified dermatologist Faranak Kamangar, MD says this peel is a gold-standard product that's safe, effective, and reliable.

Rave review: "I regularly wake up with small pimples on my face but once I started using this before bed, it’s almost completely stopped. Absolutely recommend."

“In addition to AHAs (exfoliants that help break down the bonds between skin cells and break apart dirt and debris within pores) like glycolic and lactic acid, this scrub features two forms of gentle exfoliants known as PHAs that help hydrate skin as they resurface, plus willow bark, a form of BHA that can help unclog the hair follicle,” says Dr. Yadav.

It also uses natural silica to physically exfoliate, rather than harsh shell or seed fragments, for a comprehensive scrub that helps smooth, soften, and clarify the skin, she adds.

Rave review: "My skin feels so silky and smooth. My KP has improved so much it’s almost naked to the eye."

“This is an exfoliating scrub that contains glycolic and lactic acid to help break down the plugs caused by KP,” says Dr. Griffin. It also contains colloidal oatmeal and ceramides to moisturize and calm the skin while delivering natural exfoliation to refine texture, he explains. Another perk? It’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free which is great for sensitive skin.

Rave review: "I suffer from KP and this has really helped. Didn't even know they made such a product. Happy I found this and will be using it often for flare-ups."

An exfoliating body wash, body lotion, and pouf all in one? Sounds good to us! Dr. Griffin swears by this kit since it uses glycolic acid to exfoliate dead skin for a smoother, softer complexion, without causing irritation.

Rave review: "Highly recommend. My skin feels soft. It works well on my sensitive skin without irritation."

This milky body serum is one of Dr. Yadav’s go-to recommendations for a reason: it targets bumps, scales, dullness, flakiness, and texture all in one! “This gentle serum is a resurfacing powerhouse, with AHAs, BHA, and retinol, to promote skin renewal and softness,” she explains. It also absorbs rapidly and doesn't leave a sticky residue on the skin.

Rave review: "I’ve been using this product for a week now, and I am able to notice and feel the results. It’s has completely erased and smoothed out the small bumps on my arms and legs and made my skin super smooth!"

Instead of a scrub or lotion, this exfoliating body treatment is applied with a pre-treated towelette that can be used as a body polish to visibly improve the look of ingrown hairs, KP, and dry skin, says Dr. Griffin. It’s also gluten-free, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.

Rave review: "I get break outs on my back I used to get chemical peels for and these wipes replaced those treatments for me. I see a noticeable improvement even after a couple of applications."

Retinoids are a great option to soften and exfoliate the skin, and Dr. Kamangar says this is a go-to for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Not to mention, this retinoid is non-irritating, anti-aging, and uber-hydrating to help you achieve clear, smooth, and soft skin.

Rave review: "This is the only retinoid product I have used that does not leave my skin red and irritated. I use it nightly in combination with the cleanser and moisturizer. Love the way my skin is looking!!"

Ready to erase your KP bumps for good? Try this body scrub with eco-friendly jojoba beads to physically exfoliate and pineapple and papaya enzymes to deliver natural AHAs. The treatment prevents ingrown hairs, removes excess sebum, lightens dark spots, and prevents inflammation.

Rave review: "I have [KP] on the bottom of my derrière and I get bumps on my lady bits when my hair starts to grow back after waxing. I used this and it all went away fast actually. Excellent product I would definitely purchase again."

For the last month, Women’s Health editors, including beauty director Brian Underwood and beauty editor Danielle Jackson, have been researching the most popular keratosis pilaris treatments. We consulted three board-certified dermatologists for expert opinions, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best KP treatments for a variety of needs.

“Keratosis pilaris, which can be referred to as ‘chicken skin’ or in some cases, ‘strawberry legs,’ is a condition caused by keratin buildup—a protein that helps form hair, nails, and skin—in the hair follicle,” says Dr. Yadav. “This creates tiny bumps, one at the site of each hair follicle, and gives a rough, sandpaper-like texture to the skin.”

While KP is harmless, it typically appears as small, rough bumps on the skin that may be red, white, or skin-colored, says Dr. Kamangar. “The bumps are often described as feeling like sandpaper and may be accompanied by mild itching or irritation,” she explains. Depending on your skin tone, KP can also appear brown or purple, adds Dr. Yadav.

KP can present on your face, but it’s most often on the back of the upper arms, thighs, and butt, says Dr. Griffin. “Folks who have dry skin, asthma, and eczema tend to have it more frequently, but it is not contagious and is not at all due to poor hygiene,” he explains. “It’s just the way many people's skin is built.”

Like most bumps that pop up on your body, this is another that you absolutely shouldn't pop. “Squeezing or picking at these lesions causes worsening effects like redness and the potential for scarring as well," board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, previously told WH. Instead, invest in one of the treatments mentioned above—and use it faithfully or as often as needed for best results!

Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. She’s a mass consumer of social media and cares about women’s rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.

Danielle is the beauty editor at Women's Health. Her apartment is currently littered with beauty products, but when she's not testing them all out, you can find her watching facial ASMR videos on YouTube, binge-watching The Golden Girls on Hulu, and reading rom-coms.

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