Got Keratosis Pilaris? Here's How To Treat It

What is Keratosis Pilaris?

You may be asking yourself, what on earth is Keratosis Pilaris? It sounds scary but don't worry, it's a skin condition that many of us have, or have experienced. Also sometimes referred to as 'chicken skin', Keratosis Pilaris is characterised by small bumps in areas such as your upper arms and thighs. While you may not like the appearance of these dry, rough patches on your body, Keratosis Pilaris is harmless and not usually itchy, irritated or uncomfortable.

These tiny bumps are actually caused by an over-production or buildup of keratin on your skin. This keratin is the same protein used in the building blocks for our hair, nails and skin. But it's this overload of keratin that then blocks the hair follicles, causing little bumps to occur on the skin's surface. Unfortunately, right now there is no way to prevent or cure this common skin complaint. It usually resolves by the age of 30. However, using certain skincare products and techniques can help reduce the severity and appearance of those annoying bumps.

How To Treat Keratosis Pilaris

Physical Exfoliation

Using an exfoliator is a vital step in treating Keratosis Pilaris. However, a mistake that is often made is vigorously scrubbing your skin to try and clear those tell-tale bumps. This might feel like the right thing to do, but in the long run, will cause irritation that will make the condition appear worse than before. If you love the feeling of a physical exfoliant, opt for something quite gentle like the AHAVA Mineral Body Exfoliator, or try out a different way of manually exfoliating with the Ecococo Exfoliating Glove. This will help shift dead skin cells from the area to help prevent future clogging of the hair follicles.

Chemical Exfoliation

The most effective way to remove this keratin build up is using the power of chemical exfoliators. Specific ingredients to look out for are Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid & AHA and Salicylic Acid. These three ingredients will become your best friend when it comes to treating Keratosis Pilaris. A product that will really back a punch (pardon the pun!) is the Aspect Pigment Punch Body cream. This is a multi-functional product that contains hydrating lactic acid to gently exfoliate and moisturise your body at the same time, making it perfect for those who love efficient and effective skincare.

If you prefer the feel of a physical scrub, you'll love the ASAP Revitalising Body Scrub as it harnesses the power of 12% Glycolic acid alongside smooth, round exfoliating beads. The Glycolic acid is able to dissolve the keratin plugs, but is mild enough to keep your skin moisturised, whilst the beads encourage micro circulation. This is so important because what you don't want to do is strip your skin of all its moisture and leave it vulnerable to further irritation.

Hydrating Body Lotions

Dry skin and low humidity can often exacerbate the appearance of Keratosis Pilaris. This can explain why some people experience a flare-up during winter and the cooler months. Actually, anything that dries your skin out is bad news for Keratosis Pilaris suffers. This includes having showers that are too hot, overuse of indoor heating and even excessive sun exposure. But don't worry, it's not all bad news! After exfoliating, using a body lotion that is deeply nourishing can prevent your skin from drying out. The L'Occitane Shea Butter Body Lotion is perfect for moisturising and protecting your skin, as shea butter is high in fatty acids and has amazing healing properties. Sometimes there are days where you might not have the time to exfoliate and that's ok! Having a moisturiser like the Image Body Spa Rejuvenating Body Lotion that already contains AHAs to exfolaite is an amazing way to keep up with your skincare regimen requirements.

Exfoliating Body Wash

People who experience Keratosis Pilaris are often genetically predisposed towards having sensitivities or allergies to fragrance. Many mainstream body washes containing artificial fragrances, dyes and fillers. Make sure to double-check that your current shower gel isn't secretly irritating your skin. Once you have cleared out your shower products, make way for the Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash. This is a super effective cleanser that won't strip your skin, and it can be used on the face as well as targeted zones of the body. Tea Tree, Eucalyptus and Camphor all help to fight against bacteria while the Salicylic acid drives deep into your pores so it is perfect BHA (beta hydroxy acid) for unclogging those hair follicles. This formula will leave you and your skin feeling refreshed and silky smooth.

The secret when it comes to treating Keratosis Pilaris is dedication. Following this routine will help minimise the appearance and redness of those bumps! However, be warned that if you stop they will most likely start to reappear. While this can be frustrating to hear, the good news is that the condition usually gets better with age. Some people completely outgrow it all together! So keep using the right products every day and you won't be disappointed with the results you see.