What Keratosis Pilaris Is
Keratosis pilaris shows up as small, rough bumps, most often on the backs of the upper arms and on the thighs. Each bump is a plug of keratin — a protein in skin — in a hair follicle. It is common and harmless, though the bumps can look red and feel like permanent goosebumps.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, treatment cannot cure keratosis pilaris, so the goal is maintenance: a routine you keep up to hold the bumps down. That changes how to judge a product. The right one is something gentle enough to use indefinitely, not the strongest thing on the shelf.
The Routine
- Wash gently. Avoid scrubbing, which the American Academy of Dermatology says tends to irritate the skin and worsen keratosis pilaris.
- Use an exfoliating lotion — one with glycolic or lactic acid, salicylic acid, urea or a retinoid — exactly as its directions say.
- Moisturize afterwards. These ingredients dry the skin, so dermatologists recommend following with a thick cream or ointment.
- Run a humidifier when the air feels dry.
- Keep going. The bumps come back when you stop, because the routine controls keratosis pilaris rather than curing it.
| Ingredient | On this page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lactic acid | AmLactin, Eucerin Roughness Relief | An AHA that also helps skin hold water |
| Salicylic acid | CeraVe SA Cream, Paula's Choice 2% BHA body treatment | Oil-soluble; can sting very dry skin |
| Urea | CeraVe SA Cream, Eucerin Roughness Relief | Softens rough skin and holds water |
| Retinoids | Retinol body lotions | Start slowly; stronger options need a prescription |
