Keratosis pilaris is a common harmless skin condition that affects about 40% of the world’s population. It is characterized by keratin buildup in the hair follicles of the skin, resulting in small bumps. It’s also known as «chicken skin» or «goose bumps.» Keratosis pilaris often appears on the outer sides of legs and arms, but can also appear on other places like cheeks or buttocks. There are many causes for keratosis pilaris including genetics, stress, hormones (especially puberty), eczema and certain medications. Luckily there are natural remedies that will help you get rid of keratosis pilaris!
Consider the possibility that you may have Keratosis Pilaris- Symptoms of keratosis pilaris
If you experiment any of the following:
- You have painless bumps all over your upper arms and legs but they don’t hurt or itch
- Your skin tends to be dry lately but may feel a little oily in places. It can even be red from irritation sometimes
- You have struggled with acne in the past
- Your skin is sensitive to certain soaps or detergents for clothes
- Your skin reacts to hot water and cold water can reduce redness
Typically keratosis pilaris does not bother people but sometimes it can be very irritating and embarrassing, especially if hard bumps are on your face.
What triggers your skin to be bumpy?
Despite there is not consensus on what causes keratosis pilaris, or approved treatments for it, there are several things that can trigger the appearance of bumps and worse the medical condition.
Be aware of the following:
- Increased dryness in your environment or a change in seasons could cause keratosis pilaris to develop more prominently
- Hot showers and baths can dry out your skin and exacerbate symptoms of keratosis pilaris
- Excess of sweat can irritate skin and increase keratosis pilaris bumps
- Exposure without protection to sun cause damage in skin barrier which may irritate the condition even further.
- Excess of exfoliation using irritating scrubs may worse skin conditions
- The use of lotions or cosmetics that contain chemicals can worsen symptoms of keratosis and increase clogging of hair follicles
Natural Remedies for Keratosis Pilaris
Once you or a member of your family have been keratosis pilaris diagnosed there are several actions you can take to maintain a fair skin.
Natural remedies can help to improve skin condition, but it is important to understand that it may take time before seeing any improvement. Just remember that patience always pays off!
Let´s start with healthy cleaning habits
There is no cure for keratosis pilaris, though its appearance can be improved. It is often helpful to keep the skin moist (hydrated) and clean.
Cleaning everyday is part of the treatment of KP, as it helps remove any dirt that could cause pores clogging. However, excess of cleaning could lead to dehydration. That is why, the use of mild and fragrance-free cleansers is recommended.
Get a good moisturizer for dry and sensitive skin
Keep skin moist is crucial to keep skin condition and avoid bumpy skin. The following tips may be helpful to find the right moisturizer:
- Choose products free of chemicals and fragrances. These can be irritating, lead to dry skin and worsen keratosis pilaris.
- Make sure you are using the right type of moisturizer for different parts of your skin . For example, for upper arms and lower legs, treatment can include a thicker cream than for face where tiny bumps warrants a lighter lotion with strong moisturizing properties.
- Despite the use of oils is not recommended in keratosis pilaris treatment specially in face, as these could increase dead skin cells clog, there is some evidence that points to oils rich in vitamin E and omega 3 such as argan, olive or coconut oil, which has properties that can help reduce symptoms associated with keratosis pilaris such as bumps, redness and inflammation.
- Look for products that contain strong moisturizing agents such as aloe vera, lactic acid, squalene or flower extracts like chamomile that protects skin and prevent clogged pores.
The use of topical creams or lotions containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to remove dead skin cells
People with keratosis pilaris should gentle remove dead skin cells to avoid these to accumulate on the surface of the skin.
AHAs like glycolic acid, and BHAs like salicylic acid, can treat keratosis pilaris by removing bumps and dead skin cells by providing a chemical exfoliation and smoothing skin tone.
Having in account that to diagnose keratosis pilaris patient is typically in childhood, it is important to know that products containing alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid in high concentration, could be very strong for young children and dry skin, making keratosis pilaris worse. So, be sure that you use products that include the right concentration according to age.
Vitamin A or retinoids for Keratosis Pilaris treatment - Unclogging hair follicles
Topical retinoids can be used to treat rough skin as well, given its ability to support dead cells turnover; however, their action is stronger than AHAs or BHAs so they should be used with extra care as could cause another skin condition called atopic dermatitis and lead to skin feel itchy.
Vitamin A has been used successfully treat a variety of dermatologic conditions including acne vulgaris, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. If topical retinoids treatment is used, it is important to add moisture at least two times a day, to prevent bumps to continue showing up.
People who use AHAs, BHAs and retinoids for pilaris keratosis treatment, should choose products that contain small percentages of any of these ingredients as they can cause side effects such as redness and irritation if used in high concentrations.
It is very recommended to take food or supplements containing high concentration of vitamin A instead of topical applications, given the side effects associated.
The use of urea or steroid creams specially for upper arms
Urea is known as a keratolytic which means that helps remove dead tissue and improving skin moisture. It is specially used in upper arms thighs although can be used in face too.
Urea cream is one of the main treatments used for KP. If you are taking this path, be aware that you should choose products that contain the right concentration of the ingredient. 30% is usually recommended to minimize bumps, but your healthcare provider should advice on which concentration is the right for you according to your symptoms.
If you are still unsure about which product to use, check your local dermatologist clinic or your family doctor for more information on which cares you should take with this common skin condition.
Unclogging hair follicle with mechanical exfoliation
When skin feels rough is normal to be tempted to remove dry skin with a scrub or a harsh exfoliating agent, but when you have keratosis pilaris this is not the best choice.
Mechanical exfoliation is recommended once or twice a week, but if the wrong ingredients are used, this could lead to dry skin and worsen symptoms of Pilaris keratosis.
That is why mild exfoliating agents like jojoba beads or orange peels should be used instead of harder ingredients like sugar that could create micro wounds in skin. Laser treatments have also excelled for this purpose.
Vitamin D as a treatment plan for keratosis pilaris
Vitamin D facilitates the removal of excess keratin from the skin and therefore plays an important role in the management and prevention of pilaris keratosis.
People with pilaris should treat vitamin D deficiency by taking supplements or increasing intake foods that contain high concentrations of Vitamin D such as fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms, cod liver oil. In our blog on vitamins we take a deeper look on the effect of vitamins on your skin.
Other skin conditions derived from keratosis pilaris
If you’re experiencing pain from keratosis pilaris, it may be due to folliculitis – which means the hair follicles have become infected and inflamed.
In this case, you will have whiteheads and pustules with redness around the follicle entrance. This is treatable by a doctor who can prescribe antibiotics if needed or topical treatments for inflammation such as hydrocortisone cream twice a day until symptoms start to fade away.
People with keratosis pilaris should never pick at their acne lesions since it could lead to scarring on top of worsening skin conditions, but they may treat blackheads using specialized products that help remove them without damaging your skin. These are usually composed of steamers with salicylic acid, glycolic acids or retinoids under mild concentrations.
How weather affects keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris tends to improve in warmer, more humid weather, and it may worsen in colder, drier weather. Self-Care guidelines during winter months could include to add an oily serum at night that helps locking moisture inside to keep hydration levels unaffected.
Develop Keratosis Pilaris is not only about feel rough in your face or upper arms thighs. It is more about feeling confident in your own body. Improving the appearance of your skin could also improve self esteem and confidence!
We hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. If so, please share with your friends and family on social media! Before we go, be sure to check out our other blogs about natural skin care for more information that can help you take better care of the largest organ in the human body.
Subscribe to Our Blog!
About Me
Beatriz Morales
Keratosis pilaris is a common harmless skin condition that affects about 40% of the world’s population. It is characterized by keratin buildup in the hair follicles of the skin, resulting in small bumps. It’s also known as «chicken skin» or «goose bumps.» Keratosis pilaris often appears on the outer sides of legs and arms, but can also appear on other places like cheeks or buttocks. There are many causes for keratosis pilaris including genetics, stress, hormones (especially puberty), eczema and certain medications. Luckily there are natural remedies that will help you get rid of keratosis pilaris!
Consider the possibility that you may have Keratosis Pilaris- Symptoms of keratosis pilaris
If you experiment any of the following:
- You have painless bumps all over your upper arms and legs but they don’t hurt or itch
- Your skin tends to be dry lately but may feel a little oily in places. It can even be red from irritation sometimes
- You have struggled with acne in the past
- Your skin is sensitive to certain soaps or detergents for clothes
- Your skin reacts to hot water and cold water can reduce redness
Typically keratosis pilaris does not bother people but sometimes it can be very irritating and embarrassing, especially if hard bumps are on your face.
What triggers your skin to be bumpy?
Despite there is not consensus on what causes keratosis pilaris, or approved treatments for it, there are several things that can trigger the appearance of bumps and worse the medical condition.
Be aware of the following:
- Increased dryness in your environment or a change in seasons could cause keratosis pilaris to develop more prominently
- Hot showers and baths can dry out your skin and exacerbate symptoms of keratosis pilaris
- Excess of sweat can irritate skin and increase keratosis pilaris bumps
- Exposure without protection to sun cause damage in skin barrier which may irritate the condition even further.
- Excess of exfoliation using irritating scrubs may worse skin conditions
- The use of lotions or cosmetics that contain chemicals can worsen symptoms of keratosis and increase clogging of hair follicles
Natural Remedies for Keratosis Pilaris
Once you or a member of your family have been keratosis pilaris diagnosed there are several actions you can take to maintain a fair skin.
Natural remedies can help to improve skin condition, but it is important to understand that it may take time before seeing any improvement. Just remember that patience always pays off!
Let´s start with healthy cleaning habits
There is no cure for keratosis pilaris, though its appearance can be improved. It is often helpful to keep the skin moist (hydrated) and clean.
Cleaning everyday is part of the treatment of KP, as it helps remove any dirt that could cause pores clogging. However, excess of cleaning could lead to dehydration. That is why, the use of mild and fragrance-free cleansers is recommended.
Get a good moisturizer for dry and sensitive skin
Keep skin moist is crucial to keep skin condition and avoid bumpy skin. The following tips may be helpful to find the right moisturizer:
- Choose products free of chemicals and fragrances. These can be irritating, lead to dry skin and worsen keratosis pilaris.
- Make sure you are using the right type of moisturizer for different parts of your skin . For example, for upper arms and lower legs, treatment can include a thicker cream than for face where tiny bumps warrants a lighter lotion with strong moisturizing properties.
- Despite the use of oils is not recommended in keratosis pilaris treatment specially in face, as these could increase dead skin cells clog, there is some evidence that points to oils rich in vitamin E and omega 3 such as argan, olive or coconut oil, which has properties that can help reduce symptoms associated with keratosis pilaris such as bumps, redness and inflammation.
- Look for products that contain strong moisturizing agents such as aloe vera, lactic acid, squalene or flower extracts like chamomile that protects skin and prevent clogged pores.
The use of topical creams or lotions containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to remove dead skin cells
People with keratosis pilaris should gentle remove dead skin cells to avoid these to accumulate on the surface of the skin.
AHAs like glycolic acid, and BHAs like salicylic acid, can treat keratosis pilaris by removing bumps and dead skin cells by providing a chemical exfoliation and smoothing skin tone.
Having in account that to diagnose keratosis pilaris patient is typically in childhood, it is important to know that products containing alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid in high concentration, could be very strong for young children and dry skin, making keratosis pilaris worse. So, be sure that you use products that include the right concentration according to age.
Vitamin A or retinoids for Keratosis Pilaris treatment - Unclogging hair follicles
Topical retinoids can be used to treat rough skin as well, given its ability to support dead cells turnover; however, their action is stronger than AHAs or BHAs so they should be used with extra care as could cause another skin condition called atopic dermatitis and lead to skin feel itchy.
Vitamin A has been used successfully treat a variety of dermatologic conditions including acne vulgaris, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. If topical retinoids treatment is used, it is important to add moisture at least two times a day, to prevent bumps to continue showing up.
People who use AHAs, BHAs and retinoids for pilaris keratosis treatment, should choose products that contain small percentages of any of these ingredients as they can cause side effects such as redness and irritation if used in high concentrations.
It is very recommended to take food or supplements containing high concentration of vitamin A instead of topical applications, given the side effects associated.
The use of urea or steroid creams specially for upper arms
Urea is known as a keratolytic which means that helps remove dead tissue and improving skin moisture. It is specially used in upper arms thighs although can be used in face too.
Urea cream is one of the main treatments used for KP. If you are taking this path, be aware that you should choose products that contain the right concentration of the ingredient. 30% is usually recommended to minimize bumps, but your healthcare provider should advice on which concentration is the right for you according to your symptoms.
If you are still unsure about which product to use, check your local dermatologist clinic or your family doctor for more information on which cares you should take with this common skin condition.
Unclogging hair follicle with mechanical exfoliation
When skin feels rough is normal to be tempted to remove dry skin with a scrub or a harsh exfoliating agent, but when you have keratosis pilaris this is not the best choice.
Mechanical exfoliation is recommended once or twice a week, but if the wrong ingredients are used, this could lead to dry skin and worsen symptoms of Pilaris keratosis.
That is why mild exfoliating agents like jojoba beads or orange peels should be used instead of harder ingredients like sugar that could create micro wounds in skin. Laser treatments have also excelled for this purpose.
Vitamin D as a treatment plan for keratosis pilaris
Vitamin D facilitates the removal of excess keratin from the skin and therefore plays an important role in the management and prevention of pilaris keratosis.
People with pilaris should treat vitamin D deficiency by taking supplements or increasing intake foods that contain high concentrations of Vitamin D such as fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms, cod liver oil. In our blog on vitamins we take a deeper look on the effect of vitamins on your skin.
Other skin conditions derived from keratosis pilaris
If you’re experiencing pain from keratosis pilaris, it may be due to folliculitis – which means the hair follicles have become infected and inflamed.
In this case, you will have whiteheads and pustules with redness around the follicle entrance. This is treatable by a doctor who can prescribe antibiotics if needed or topical treatments for inflammation such as hydrocortisone cream twice a day until symptoms start to fade away.
People with keratosis pilaris should never pick at their acne lesions since it could lead to scarring on top of worsening skin conditions, but they may treat blackheads using specialized products that help remove them without damaging your skin. These are usually composed of steamers with salicylic acid, glycolic acids or retinoids under mild concentrations.
How weather affects keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris tends to improve in warmer, more humid weather, and it may worsen in colder, drier weather. Self-Care guidelines during winter months could include to add an oily serum at night that helps locking moisture inside to keep hydration levels unaffected.
Develop Keratosis Pilaris is not only about feel rough in your face or upper arms thighs. It is more about feeling confident in your own body. Improving the appearance of your skin could also improve self esteem and confidence!
We hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. If so, please share with your friends and family on social media! Before we go, be sure to check out our other blogs about natural skin care for more information that can help you take better care of the largest organ in the human body.
Subscribe to Our Blog!
About Me
