Whether you’re dealing with rough patches, flaky skin, or more serious conditions like eczema, dry skin can be a really annoying and even painful skin problem to deal with. And as winter approaches, you may find that your daily skin care routine no longer cuts back.
If you notice any small, rough skin on your body that is definitely not acne, you may be dealing with keratosis pilaris. Before that, we asked dermatologists to analyze exactly what it is, what causes it, and what you can do to treat it.
Anar Mikailov, a Harvard-trained board-certified dermatologist and founder of KP go. Often referred to as “goosebumps” or “strawberry skin,” these pimples typically appear on the arms, upper thighs, cheeks, and buttocks.
Fortunately, keratosis pilaris is usually harmless, explains Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “The bumps are usually not itchy or painful,” she explains. The concern is primarily cosmetic. ”
However, there can be more severe cases, Mikailov explains. The area may become “irritated, itchy, and persistent” and may begin to feel dry or like sandpaper. Many people will discover the condition when they can’t get rid of the itchy, sometimes painful bumps. In this case, Mikailov recommends seeing a dermatologist for an official diagnosis and a sustainable management plan.
Folliculitis occurs when hair follicles become blocked or clogged, causing raised bumps on the skin. However, there are differing opinions on what causes the blockage.
Engleman explains that keratosis pilaris is caused by “a buildup of retained keratin, a protein found in your skin, nails, and hair.” On the other hand, Mikailov describes our sebaceous glands and their secretion of sebum – the body’s natural oil that ensures healthy skin, hair and nails – as key. “When the sebaceous glands are deficient or inactive, it results in a lack of oils, fats and acids that are naturally produced to promote healthy hair follicle growth and skin turnover,” he explains. ” he explained. “Ultimately the follicles become ‘plugged’ and the keratosis pilaris bumps follow.”
Regardless of how the blockage is caused, it produces “hard, pink, and well-spaced bumps,” explains Dr. Rachel Maimana board-certified dermatologist in Marmur Medical. There is likely a “genetic component that tends to run in families,” she added. Dr. Ellen Marmur, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincareechoes this idea, emphasizing that keratosis pilaris is “an inherited skin problem inherited from one parent and is a particular form of eczema.”
For many people, keratosis pilaris gets worse in winter when the weather is drier. It can also happen with various environmental changes, such as hard water or products that irritate your skin, especially those with strong exfoliating acids or fragrances, says Mikailov. , Mikailov shared.
Another factor to consider is your age and life stage. “Certain life stages including puberty, pregnancy, and menopause” can contribute to keratosis pilaris, explains Mikailov. He shares that it is also very common in adolescence affecting at least 50% of all adolescents. “For some people parakeratosis improves with age, but for most people it persists and requires a smart, gentle, and safe skin care routine.”
“While there is no single cure for parakeratosis,” Engelman explains, “there are products that can help relieve some symptoms and prevent it from forming. She recommends AHA and BHA-based body products that, when combined with hydrating and soothing ingredients, “help remove dead skin cell buildup without disrupting the skin barrier.” “.
Maiman recommends products that include keratolytics, which, she explains, “work to break up the clumps of dead skin cells” that clog your hair follicles. Some common keratolytic agents include salicylic acid, urea, ammonium lactate, and glycolic acid.
Overall, the key to long-term control of keratosis pilaris is “maintaining a healthy skin care routine that includes cleansing, deep exfoliation, and moisturizing,” explains Engelman.
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub ($30; amazon.com)
Recommended by both Maiman and Engelman, this 10% AHA exfoliant is a gentle physical and chemical exfoliator. Engelman explains that the pumice polishing granules act as a physical exfoliant “targeting the symptoms of keratosis pilaris by gently exfoliating away dead skin cells and helping to unclog pores.” blocked hair follicles”. At the same time, “a mixture of both glycolic acid and lactic acid chemically exfoliates the skin” while vitamin E conditions and smooths the skin, explains Maiman,
Skinfix Resurface + AHA Renewing Body Cream ($48; sephora.com)
Maiman loves this body cream that “combines a blend of alpha hydroxy acids with salicylic acid” to create a formula tailored to target keratosis pilaris. It also includes bisabolol, “a soothing agent extracted from chamomile that has a calming effect on the skin,” explains Maiman.
Mikhailov, who is also the brand’s founder, says: This daily moisturizer is formulated with plant-based ingredients, including coconut oil, which “mimics the skin’s natural sebum functions. “. It is purposefully formulated with minimal ingredients as a way to reduce the potential for skin irritation, such as fragrance. “This gentle approach is a much more sustainable and long-term treatment plan for keratosis pilaris,” explains Mikhailov.
Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Brightening Body Lotion with Vitamin C ($45; sephora.com)
When you’re dealing with dry skin conditions like keratosis pilaris, a deeply nourishing moisturizer at the end of your skincare routine is essential, explains Engelman. She shares that this body cream contains fruity alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin C, making it “great for both nourishing skin, and gently removing any build-up of dead skin.”
“This cream is formulated with ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier functions,” explains Mikhailov, who recommends this moisturizer as a great pharmacy choice. Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid are humectants, helping to keep the skin moist. Plus, it’s fragrance-free.
If you’re suffering from keratosis pilaris on your face, Engelman recommends exfoliating with this liquid exfoliator. It contains a blend of five acids “clinically proven to smooth, soften and improve skin texture,” she explains.
Isdin Body Lotion ($39; amazon.com)
Marmur shared: “Isdin Body Lotion is a genius. The formula combines urea and other moisturizing ingredients to gently melt away bumps and moisturize the skin or eczema underneath, she explains.
Another useful facial product for combating keratosis pilaris, this gel moisturizer works to “deeply hydrate dry, irritated skin with hyaluronic acid,” explains Engelman. Be sure to apply after exfoliating, she notes.
CeraVe Shower Gel with Salicylic Acid ($11.99; amazon.com)
For products containing salicylic acid, Maiman recommends using this shower gel. She suggests using it on the affected areas in the shower, as it will work to exfoliate and soften your skin. Reviewers rave about this product, with some saying they’ve seen a difference in their skin after just one use.
Lord Jones Bump + Smooth CBD Body Serum ($60; sephora.com)
Engelman recommends this body serum, which contains a blend of four acids to help remove dead skin cells. Ingredients such as bisabolol, squalane, and ceramides have a soothing and moisturizing effect on the skin. If you’ve never used a body serum before, the brand recommends cleansing and drying your skin, then spreading the serum evenly over areas of concern. After that, you can apply a body lotion.
MMSkincare Dry Skin Savior Glycol & Urea Cream ($36; mmskincare.com)
Marmur, the brand’s founder, explains that this cream contains urea and glycolic acid, two ingredients that work to soften the dead skin layer that clogs hair follicles. It’s buttery, soft, and formulated to combat any dry skin condition, whether it’s eczema and keratosis pilaris or extremely dry hands from hand washing. She suggests following it immediately with MMSkincare Rescue Cream.
MMSkincare Rescue Face Neck Body Cream ($92; mmskincare.com)
Marmur explains that this thick, rich cream can be used several times a day whenever you need relief from dry skin. It’s made with lots of super hydrating ingredients including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, and squalene.
Melach 33 Luxe CBD Body Butter ($74; melach33.com)
“This body butter contains ‘shea butter, nourishing vegetable oils, antioxidants, and 1,000 mg of broad-spectrum CBD’,” Engelman explains.
AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion ($12.97; amazon.com)
“AmLactin lotion is a key element in the treatment of parakeratosis for many dermatologists,” explains Maiman. Its main ingredient is ammonium lactate – a form of lactic acid which is an alpha hydroxy acid with keratolytic properties. In other words? It has all the ingredients that will target congested hair follicles.
Mikhailov explains: “Although many people can see their acne improve by hydrating and hydrating the skin, some people may require a gentle exfoliation. “This body wash has a formula,” he says, “is formulated with jojoba wax particles that melt into your skin and features a combination of nourishing botanical oils including jojoba, squalane and coconut oils.”
“For really stubborn cases, using a keratolytic agent like urea can help,” says Mikhailov. However, he advises caution. “These high strength exfoliants can sting, and are generally not recommended for the face.”
