How To Get Rid Of Kp

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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong

Derms call it keratosis pilaris, you likely call it KP or chicken skin or those annoying bumps that crop up the back of your arms. By any name, it's an unsightly condition that can be frustrating and tough to get rid of. It occurs when keratin—a protein in the skin—builds up within the hair follicle, causing small, rough bumps to appear on your arms, thighs, butt, or even face, explains Chicago dermatologist Emily Arch, MD.

Take heart in knowing that it's both super common and the root cause is largely genetics, though the bad news is that there's no real cure. The good news? There are plenty of treatments that can at least help, says Arch. One of the most common: Daily use of an exfoliating lotion to help keep the keratin from clogging the hair follicles and to smooth out the texture of the skin. Also, you can reduce the inflammation that occurs quite frequently in KP with supportive skincare additions like soothing shea butter and redness-eraser niacinamide—both of which can easily be found in daily moisturizers. And what if those annoying little bumps aren't responding to over-the-counter products? There are plenty of accessible spa-grade treatments with higher concentrations of chemical exfoliants to choose from too.

Ahead, the best lotions and treatments for keratosis pilaris, for limbs, hips, faces, and more.

Our Top Picks

The CeraVe Renewing SA Lotion not only hydrates your skin like most body lotions, but it also exfoliates at the same time.

This Lactate Lotion has a much higher concentration of lactic acid than most over-the-counter products.

Get gentle exfoliation and a lightweight texture, wrapped in an affordable lotion.

People suffering from intense keratosis pilaris will love this set to help combat bumps and even out skin texture.

This affordable and creamy body lotion softens and hydrates skin while breaking up keratin plugs.

AHAs, willow bark extract, and more skin-loving ingredients work to exfoliate skin.

This gentle body scrub offers both physical and chemical exfoliation which is great for treating keratosis pilaris.

CeraVe SA Lotion

What We Like

Contains salicylic acid
Exfoliates and moisturizes
Available at most major drugstores

What We Don't Like

Contains parabens

Arch gives this formula props for being equally exfoliating and hydrating, thanks to the addition of salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, respectively. On top of that, it also contains three different skin-strengthening ceramides for barrier repair. It's great for those who have KP and have really dry skin, who need both exfoliation as well as deep moisturization, says Arch. And if you feel like you need even more moisture, there's also a heavier, cream variant as well.

What Our Testers Say

"As someone who doesn't always take the time to moisturize from the shoulders down post-shower, using this nightly has been a gamechanger for my skin. Not only have the dry patches on my legs, elbows, and heels disappeared, but the texture on my back has started to smooth." —Bianca Lambert, Product Tester

Perrigo Ammonium Lactate Lotion

What We Like

Contains 12 percent lactic acid
No fragrance
Effective

What We Don't Like

Contains parabens

Exfoliating lotions that contain alpha-hydroxy acids are choice for helping to combat KP, says Arch; this particular formula touts a 12% concentration of lactic acid, one of the gentlest yet most effective AHAs out there. Plus, because it's fragrance-free, it's less likely to irritate skin that might already be red or inflamed from KP.

amlactin

What We Like

12 percent lactic acid
No parabens
Not greasy

What We Don't Like

May sting sensitive skin

Per the point of lactic acid being a choice ingredient, this one also boasts a hefty dose of the good stuff. "This lotion is always a favorite," says Arch. " It's a gentle exfoliating treatment that's suitable for all skin types and has an appealing lightweight texture," she adds, noting that you can use it either once or twice per day.

Dermatologist Dr. Nava Greenfield, of Schweiger Dermatology Group in Brooklyn, NY, is also a fan, noting that it's very similar to a prescription cream she often recommends.

Glytone KP Kit

What We Like

3-step routine
Exfoliates
Moisturizes with allantoin and vitamin E

What We Don't Like

Contains parabens and sulfates

For those with pretty intense KP, Arch suggests using an exfoliating body wash in the shower, followed by applying an exfoliating lotion. She's a fan of this set, which contains both. "Even my patients who haven't found relief with other over-the-counter products tend to respond well to this easy-to-use kit," she says. Along with helping to combat bumps, the high glycolic content in this formula also helps to even out both skin tone and texture, she adds.

Eucerin Roughness Relief Lotion

What We Like

Inexpensive
No fragrance
Gentle formula

What We Don't Like

Doesn't contain glycolic acid

Key Ingredients

Shea butter is a plant lipid that comes from African shea tree nuts and is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. It's used to help moisturize, nourish, and soothe the skin.

"This contains urea, another alpha-hydroxy acid that's highly effective at breaking up keratin plugs and also helps the top layers of the skin retain moisture," explains Arch. Bonus points for the addition of creamy shea butter to soften and hydrate dry spots, as well as the very wallet-friendly price.

Skinfix Resurface+ AHA Renewing Body Cream

What We Like

Clean ingredients
Exfoliates with sugar cane & fruit extracts
Moisturizes

What We Don't Like

On the expensive side

It's not only alpha-hydroxy acids that can be beneficial for treating keratosis pilaris; Arch says beta-hydroxy acids, such as salicylic, can be good, too. This rich cream—which Byrdie Editorial Director Faith Xue and Byrdie Senior Editor Hallie Gould both love—uses AHAs and willow bark extract (a natural alternative to sal acid) to do the exfoliating duties. It's fragrance-free but still has a nice, naturally-derived scent.

First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub

What We Like

Exfoliates and soothes skin
Mini size available
Easy to use

What We Don't Like

Should be used in moderation

Ok, so this isn't exactly a lotion for KP, but it's still a great treatment in moderation. If you have keratosis pilaris, proceed with caution when using scrubs. Aggressive physical exfoliation can cause KP to become inflamed and ultimately worsen the condition, warns Arch.

One exception to the rule: this formula. "The gentle physical exfoliators are combined with both glycolic acid and lactic acid for simultaneous chemical exfoliation, and the formula is nourishing to avoid irritation, she says.

What Our Editors Say

"This scrub is intense. Packed with AHAs and BHAs, I use it twice a week to keep my KP and body acne in check. Nothing makes my skin quite as smooth, but if you have sensitive skin, make sure to use it sparingly." —Kathryn Vandervalk, Editorial & Strategy Director

Final Verdict

When it comes to dealing with the frustrating bumps and roughness caused by KP, we're giving top honors to a drugstore favorite, CeraVe's SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin. It's equally exfoliating and hydrating thanks to salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, while ceramides help to strengthen the skin's barrier. Lactic acid (and other AHAs, at that) are also great for smoothing out the skin, and the Perrigo Ammonium Lactate Lotion is an effective yet super gentle option. It's also fragrance-free, so you can count on it to not further irritate inflamed skin. For those suffering from more intense KP, the Glytone KP Kit is a great option to look into. It includes both an exfoliating body wash and an exfoliating lotion, which combat bumps while evening out tone and texture.

What to Look for in a Keratosis Pilaris Treatment

Keratolytic Ingredients

When it comes to an effective treatment for keratosis pilaris, Greenfield says to look for formulas that contain keratolytic ingredients, which help break apart the keratin buildup on skin cells and allow for exfoliation to take place. "Ingredients like glycolic acid, ammonium lactate, and lactic acid provide this benefit while also restoring the optimal pH of the skin for healthy functioning," she says. Urea and retinoids are also common keratolytic ingredients used in KP treatments.

Non-Comedogenic, Oil-Free, and Fragrance-Free Formulas

Look for formulas that are both oil-free and non-comedogenic. This way, you can rest easy knowing your treatment won't end up causing more clogged hair follicles or pores—or worse, bring acne and blemishes into the mix. Also look for fragrance-free formulas, as fragrance can further irritate rough and bumpy skin.

Hydrating Formulas

Dry skin can further exacerbate KP, so opt for formulas that'll hydrate the skin in addition to treating it. Look for lightweight, humectant moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which bind moisture to the skin without clogging pores or leaving behind a greasy residue.

FAQ

What causes keratosis pilaris?

Greenfield explains that keratosis pilaris is a condition where dead skin—particularly keratin, a protein found in the skin—builds up around hair follicles instead of being naturally exfoliated away. "This causes small, rough bumps to appear around the hair follicles," she says. It's not entirely clear why this buildup of keratin occurs, but it's thought to be associated with genetic diseases or skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Dry skin also tends to intensify the symptoms of keratosis pilaris.
Is keratosis pilaris easy to treat?

Unfortunately, Greenfield says that keratosis pilaris is actually quite difficult to treat. "There are many products that will improve the appearance of keratosis pilaris if used consistently twice daily for a few months at a time, but this is oftentimes difficult for someone to do," she says. "The results may also not be a complete resolution of the symptoms, but rather just an improvement."
Does keratosis pilaris itch?

Greenfield says that keratosis pilaris may be itchy for some, but for the most part, people only find it to be "cosmetically annoying."

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She doesn't have KP but has covered the topic extensively, and asks her friends and family member who do have it try the KP products she recommends.

Meet the Expert

Emily Arch, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology + Aesthetics in Chicago. She specializes in general and medical dermatology, with an emphasis on inflammatory skin conditions.

Nava Greenfield, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Brooklyn, NY. She's been published in many medical journals and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, Women's Dermatologic Society, and the American Medical Association.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any lotions for keratosis pilaris from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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