For the Strawberry Skin Girls: A Guide to KP
I’ll never forget the dermatologist telling me, “Looks like you have keratosis pilaris.” She said it so casually after examining my legs. The little bumps on my thighs that I hadn’t thought much of turned out to be a condition that required a little more than Palmer’s Cocoa Butter lotion. The derm then suggested some other products that I could use to help keep the KP under control and sent me on my way.
All that time I was loving my Palmer’s Cocoa butter (because it smelled so good), when really, I should have been using an exfoliating lotion to clear my KP! The more you know, right?
WTF is keratosis pilaris
If you have little annoying bumps on your thighs, arms and/or booty that for sure aren’t acne, you might be part of the strawberry skin club – welcome, we’re all family here! Strawberry skin, chicken skin, or as medical experts call it, keratosis pilaris (KP), is a harmless skin condition that causes small bumps on the skin due to a buildup of keratin. The excess keratin blocks the hair follicles and you’re graced with the presence of rough, sandpaper-like bumps.
Well, why do I have it?
It’s definitely not your fault, but it might be your mom or dad’s. Genetics is likely to blame because it’s one of those things that can be inherited. The good news? The condition usually clears up by the time you hit 30. So don’t worry, you didn’t cause it or make these bumps appear by using the wrong products. If your bumps have just appeared after using a particular product, it may not be KP at all. You might have just applied an ingredient that your skin didn’t agree with.
So how can I make my skin feel smooth again?
KP is actually a dry skin condition so keeping your skin moisturized at all times will go a long way, especially in the cold months when the air is super dry. Lookout for products with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and urea when trying to find an effective moisturizer. Urea gets bonus points for being both moisturizing and gently exfoliating.
Exfoliating is going to be your best friend to help buff away the excess keratin. Key ingredients to keep in mind include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like lactic acid and glycolic acid. They act as both exfoliants and humectants (aka it helps to retain moisture) – a dynamic duo for addressing KP. Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid, which exfoliate at the surface and deeper in the pores, can also be great for managing KP.
Now that you know a little more about KP, let’s get into products:
Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash $16
The great thing about this product is it’s not just glycolic acid - it’s formulated with an AHA blend including glycolic, lactic, pyruvic and tartaric acids. It also has red algae which helps to keep skin hydrated and it’s gentle enough for daily use.
Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright™ Clarifying AHA BHA Body Wash $26
The best part about this product is the scent! It smells incredible with notes of black amber plum, vanilla woods and Brazilian orchid. It also doesn’t hurt that it has salicylic acid and AHAs to help smooth out skin.
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub 10% AHA $30
This product definitely has a reputation for being very reliable in treating KP - it has both AHAs and pumice for some physical exfoliation. Even with all that exfoliation it’s still gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Similar to the FAB body scrub, this one also has both chemical and physical exfoliants. With 14% AHAs and perlite, a mineral derived from volcanic rock, the exfoliants work together to leave skin smooth. It also has licorice root extract to brighten any dark spots which is definitely a plus.
Cerave SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin $21.99
This moisturizer is the GOAT. As someone who experiences KP, this product works every single time to clear up any congestion on the skin. Packed with ceramides, salicylic acid and lactic acid this product gently exfoliates while also keeping the skin moisturized.
AmLactin Intensive Healing Body AHA Lotion $16.79
It’s usually AmLactin Daily that gets a lot of love for keeping KP at bay, but I really love this intensive healing version. This lotion has a higher percentage of lactic acid and it also has ceramides and squalane to keep the skin deeply hydrated.
Now you’re ready to tackle those annoying rough bumps! Happy caring for your skin :)