These Products Can Help You Defeat Keratosis Pilaris Once and for All

Utilizing probably the greatest merchandise for keratosis pilaris is important for busting below-the-neck bumps that may pop up wherever hair follicles exist (learn: nearly in all places). That is as a result of keratosis pilaris, or KP, is a surprisingly frequent pores and skin situation: About 50% to 80% of youngsters and 40% of adults will expertise it sooner or later, based on the Cleveland Clinic. So, for those who’re noticing patches of small, tough bumps that look extra like pink goosebumps than zits or bouts of eczema, you could be coping with KP. Fortunately, you do not essentially have to get a prescription to easy and soothe your pores and skin.

To deal with these bumps, we rounded up the very best therapies in the marketplace, as beneficial by dermatologists and editors, to assist promote cell turnover and easy pores and skin—for good.

Our Prime Picks

Greatest General: Delicate Companies Buffing Bar

Why it is value it: Let’s be actual—bar cleaning soap is not precisely trending, however you realize what’s? Ruthlessly tackling keratosis pilaris. Soft Service’s Buffing Bar opts for bodily exfoliation, utilizing “magnesium oxide microcrystals [which] present grit wanted to interrupt down the ‘glue’ holding the [dead skin] cells collectively” and bust blocked follicles, explains Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Connecticut. As a result of the microcrystals imply enterprise, this vibrant blue bar is greatest fitted to lower-sensitivity areas of your physique (you realize your pores and skin greatest, so no matter this implies to you). “On the whole, something that has a bodily exfoliant property needs to be prevented in those that have sensitive skin, acne, rosacea, eczema, or another inflammatory pores and skin situation that will lead to a compromised barrier,” Dr. Gohara provides. Wetting the bar can assist soften the scrub, and the inclusion of moisturizing and soothing substances like glycerin, aloe, and shea butter helps lower down on any undesired roughness. Do not be intimidated by this 2022 Better of Magnificence alum, although, as a result of typically, a no-nonsense scrub is strictly what it’s essential to nip KP within the bud.

Greatest Scrub: First Support Magnificence KP Bump Eraser Physique Scrub

Why it is value it: New York Metropolis-based dermatologist Hadley King, MD, sings the praises of First Support Magnificence’s 2024 Better of Magnificence-winning KP Smoothing Physique Lotion. “It accommodates lactic acid and urea to softly exfoliate and easy the pores and skin, in addition to colloidal oatmeal and ceramides to help the skin barrier,” she explains. We additionally like how the system provides a mixture of chemical exfoliation (by way of lactic and glycolic acid) and bodily exfoliation (little buffing beads) to slough away useless pores and skin cells and easy texture with out inflicting any upset. “My pores and skin felt tremendous easy after utilizing this, and the scrub by no means felt too harsh,” says senior enterprise director Eilish Morley. “I actually just like the candy strawberry scent as effectively.” Take into accout, this system is fragranced, so in case your pores and skin is simply too delicate for synthetics, go for the fragrance-free version.

Kara McGrath utilizing First Support Magnificence’s KP Smoothing Physique Lotion

Kara McGrath

McGrath with First Support Magnificence’s KP Smoothing Physique Lotion

Kara McGrath

Greatest Lotion: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Urea 10% Roughness Smoothing Lotion

Why it is value it: Dry skin and keratosis pilaris typically go hand in hand, which makes an über moisturizing texture-tackler like La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar Urea 10% Roughness Smoothing Lotion particularly useful. Primarily, it makes use of urea to deal with your dry, tough pores and skin, tied along with barrier-friendly exfoliation, in order to not irritate delicate surfaces. “Urea is a vital part of pores and skin upkeep, serving as a pure moisturizing issue that binds water and pulls it into the pores and skin (the place it belongs) and kicks cracked, useless pores and skin cells to the curb,” Washington, DC, board-certified dermatologist Adam Friedman, MD, explains.

It is also formulated with shea butter, lipids, and allantoin to additional alleviate discomfort and rebalance your pores and skin’s microbiome. With one, fast-absorbing, non-sticky software, you may rise up to 48 hours of locked-in moisture. What’s to not love?

Sarah Kinonen making use of La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar Urea 10% Roughness Smoothing Lotion

Sarah Kinonen

Kinonen with La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar Urea 10% Roughness Smoothing Lotion

Sarah Kinonen

Greatest Drugstore: AmLactin Each day Moisturizing Physique Lotion

Why it is value it: When a number of dermatologists advocate a specific lotion for KP, it must be good—take AmLactin’s Each day Moisturizing Physique Lotion as proof. “You will need to have lactic acid in a routine to assist break down keratin within the hair follicles,” New Jersey-based board-certified dermatologist Shari Sperling, MD, says. Since it is a therapy and moisturizer bundled into one, it may be used extra usually than higher-concentrated formulation, Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Minneapolis, confirms. This humble Better of Magnificence-winner might not be attractive, however dang it, it really works.

Greatest Light-weight: DermaDoctor KP Responsibility Dry, Tough, Bumpy Pores and skin Moisturizing Lotion

Why it is value it: Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Louisiana, calls the tremendous light-weight DermaDoctor KP Responsibility a “dermatologist staple,” and for good purpose. Its key substances embrace a patented mix of AHAs, BHA, PHAs, urea, and inexperienced tea—and that is simply the opening act. To replenish and defend your dry, bumpy pores and skin, you may get a hearty dose of ceramides (eight, to be precise) and squalane to supply hours of moisture. In the meantime, cupuaçu steps in to fortify the pores and skin barrier and deeply hydrate, rounding out this hardworking, no-frills choose.

Greatest for Physique Zits-Inclined Pores and skin: Peach & Lily KP Bump Boss Microderm Physique Scrub

Why it is value it: For glass pores and skin beneath the neck, this K-beauty brand provides a dream workforce of actives to transcend KP, addressing physique pimples and ingrowns as you suds up. “Peach & Lily KP Bump Boss Microderm Physique Scrub has 10% AHA and PHAs, in addition to hyaluronic acid to assist loosen useless pores and skin whereas hydrating the pores and skin,” explains Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist Caroline Robinson, MD. There is a laundry listing of soothing, redness-reducing substances to nourish compromised pores and skin, together with mugwort, barley, and cica, plus enriching botanical extracts like asian plum, apple, grape, and papaya.

Greatest Set: Glytone KP Equipment

Why it is value it: It isn’t simply exfoliating lotions and scrubs that assist easy the feel and appear of keratosis pilaris—a superb physique wash could make a distinction, too. “I actually just like the two-step strategy within the KP Equipment by Glytone that pairs a glycolic acid-based physique cleanser and physique lotion with vitamin E for additional hydration,” Texas-based board-certified dermatologist Heidi Prather, MD, says. Dr Robinson can be a fan of the Exfoliating Physique Wash. Its “8.8 free acid worth of glycolic acid is gentle sufficient for delicate pores and skin however efficient sufficient for dry, tough, bumpy, or flaky pores and skin on the physique,” she says of the physique polish.. Along with recommending this wash for KP, Dr. Robinson says the brightening system additionally helps scale back hyperpigmentation. And BTW, this equipment features a loofah for mild scrubbing. Wins throughout.

Continuously Requested Questions

What’s keratosis pilaris or KP?

“Keratosis pilaris is a buildup of keratin—a hair protein—within the pores that clogs up and blocks the opening of rising hair follicles,” New York Metropolis board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, previously told Allure. “Because of this, small bumps type over the place the hair needs to be.” Birmingham-based board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, notes that “KP differs from darkish pores (or ‘strawberry legs‘), which signify shaved darkish hairs and keratin that flip darkish when uncovered to oxygen.” So, for those who run your palms over your pores and skin and do not feel bodily bumps, it is almost certainly not KP.”

How do you deal with keratosis pilaris?

It seems that treating KP overlaps with preventing pimples.. So, as with pimples, “therapy of KP responds greatest to a mixture of exfoliation and hydration,” Dr. Prather explains. In the meantime, Dr. Sperling says alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) are the way in which to go. “When treating keratosis pilaris, it is very important search for merchandise with lactic, salicylic, or glycolic acid to assist easy pores and skin.”. New York Metropolis-based board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD, provides that KP tends to flare up throughout the winter months, so having a potent moisturizer to fight dryness available is additional key.

Are you able to completely eliminate keratosis pilaris?

Generally, nevertheless it depends upon your pores and skin and administration. Dr. Kim warns that “KP may be very tough to deal with and persists all through maturity.” Whereas he does say the aforementioned acids—along with ammonium lactate, urea, and vitamin A derivatives—can assist scale back bumpiness, they won’t treatment KP.

Ought to I see a dermatologist for KP?

Do not forget that merchandise and coverings may go to various levels of success for various folks. “There are many types of KP that will require a personalized strategy primarily based in your presentation and signs,” Dr. Prather says. “See your board-certified dermatologist for analysis, prognosis, and a personalized therapy plan, together with topical therapies and attainable in-office laser therapies that may assist enhance the discoloration and tough texture from KP.”

Meet the specialists

• Jenny Liu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Minneapolis
• Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York Metropolis
• Heidi Prather, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Texas
• Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Louisiana
• Caroline Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Chicago
• Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York Metropolis
• Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Birmingham, Alabama
• David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York Metropolis
• Shari Sperling, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York Metropolis
• Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Connecticut

How we check and evaluation merchandise

When Attract tests a product, our editors take a look at it from each angle in an effort to greatest serve you. We evaluation substances, scrutinize model claims, and, when crucial, study peer-reviewed scientific and medical research. Along with testing each product that’s included in each evaluation, we depend on specialists who form their fields, together with dermatology, beauty chemistry, and medication, to assist us vet the ingredients and formulation.