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Marie Claire
Marie Claire
Lifestyle
Marisa Petrarca

My Keratosis Pilaris Isn't Invited on Summer Travels—These 11 Treatments Keep It at Bay

Keratosis Pilaris Treatments.

My husband has had keratosis pilaris—aka the bumpy “chicken skin” most commonly found on the backs of the arms, cheeks, and thighs—his entire life. Even after doctors told him he’d “grow out of it,” he’s still dealing with small bumps and surrounding redness decades later. Luckily, he’s married to a beauty editor (hi, it’s me!), which means he’s tested more than his fair share of KP treatments—some that reduce redness, some that smooth the bumps, and some that do both.

“Keratosis pilaris is a very common and harmless skin condition caused by a buildup of keratin—a protective protein—in the hair follicles,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kristina Collins, MD. “This leads to tiny, rough bumps. While it's not dangerous, it can be cosmetically bothersome for many.” The best treatments, she says, “combine chemical exfoliants [like AHAs and BHAs] and hydrating ingredients.” That means look for salicylic, glycolic, or mandelic acid to break down keratin plugs, plus hydrators like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier.

The truth is, what works for one person might not work for another—so yes, this may be a bit of a trial-and-error situation. As board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry, MD, puts it: “There isn’t a cure for keratosis pilaris or anything that will make it magically disappear quickly, but there are treatments that can make it better.”

Ahead, I’ve rounded up 11 of the best keratosis pilaris products on the market at a range of price points and tapped Dr. Henry, Dr. Collins, and more top dermatologists to answer your most common KP questions. Keep scrolling to shop and learn more.

The Best Keratosis Pilaris Treatments

Contributing beauty writer Marisa Petrarca's husband uses the First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA (Image credit: Future)
Sydney Holender uses Peach and Lily KP Bump Boss Smoothing Body Lotion. (Image credit: Sydney Holender)
Sydney Holender uses Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA. (Image credit: Sydney Holender)

What Is Keratosis Pilaris?

“Keratosis pilaris is a common genetic skin condition that’s caused by a buildup of keratin in the hair follicle, forming rough, hard plugs that can look inflamed and red,” says Dr. Levin.

How Do I Permanently Get Rid of Keratosis Pilaris?

Despite the fact that KP occurs in about half of all adults, there’s still no one-size-fits-all treatment that works for everyone. Even dermatologist Dr. Hadley King co-signs that: “There is no 'cure' for this—KP is genetic and it will come back if you stop treating it. Gentle exfoliation, either physical or chemical, can temporarily improve the texture.”

Should I Exfoliate Every Day If I Have Keratosis Pilaris?

No, you shouldn't exfoliate every day if you have keratosis pilaris. "Daily exfoliation can actually make KP worse by irritating the skin," explains Dr. Collins. "I recommend exfoliating two to three times per week with a gentle chemical exfoliant, and focusing on daily moisturization instead."

What to Look for in a Keratosis Pilaris Treatment

  • Exfoliating Actives: "You want to look for active ingredients that are exfoliating, such as lactic acid, glycolic acid and/or salicylic acid," says Dr. Henry. "Urea is another great ingredient to look for as it is an emollient that can help exfoliate and soften the skin." It’s a particularly good option for sensitive skin since it's gentle yet effective.
  • Hydrating Ingredients: Dr. Collins explains that while chemical exfoliants help break down keratin plugs (aka those tiny bumps), “hydrators like hyaluronic acid and barrier-protecting ingredients such as ceramides help maintain healthy skin.” The combination of exfoliation and hydration is key because it helps keep the skin balanced and prevents irritation.
  • Fragrance-Free Formulas: According to Dr. Collins, the best keratosis pilaris treatments are fragrance-free. Not every product on this list follows that guideline—and some people do tolerate fragrance without issue—but if your skin leans sensitive, it’s best to steer clear of added fragrance and overly potent actives. When in doubt, run it by your dermatologist before adding anything new to your routine.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

How We Tested

Beauty writer Marisa Petrarca brings nearly a decade of expertise to this story and has researched and tested countless exfoliating treatments over the years. For this piece, she consulted four board-certified dermatologists and a physician's assistant for expert insight and enlisted her husband to test KP treatments alongside other Marie Claire staffers. She evaluated each formula based on ingredient quality, ease of use, and effectiveness.

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