What ingredients should you avoid with Keratosis Pilaris?
Avoid coconut oil when treating keratosis pilaris, and most skin issues, frankly. It’s comedogenic, meaning it clogs the pores and tends to make everything worse (with KP, the pores are already clogged, so this would be a double-clog situation). Treating keratosis pilaris is about unclogging those pores, so don’t waste your time with coconut oil. Jojoba oil is a milder oil and might help lessen redness and inflammation around KP bumps.
Do's
Moisturize
This is the most important. Maintaining soft skin is how you avoid the hard plugs that clog the hair follicles, causing KP.
Urea
A wonder ingredient that exfoliates and moisturizes.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (“AHA’s”)
Gentle chemical exfoliants, including lactic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid.
Salicylic Acid
A common skincare ingredient, especially in acne products, it’s a chemical exfoliant as well.
Vitamin A (AKA Retinol)
Common in anti-aging products, or by prescription.
Don'ts
Fragrance
Can irritate skin, causing inflammation which exacerbates KP. Look for products marked “fragrance free.”
Coconut Oil
Clogs pores (see above).
Certain Clothing
Rough fabrics like wool, and tight clothing (like athletic leggings).
Scratching
Though tempting, scratching or “popping” KP will inflame skin.
Hot Showers
Will dry out skin, encouraging more KP.
Chlorinated Water
Another cause for dry skin. Be sure to rinse and moisturize if you go for a dip.
Mass Index Recommends:
Soft Services
Smoothing Solution
$30
3.3 fl oz
fragrance free
This is a leave-on chemical exfoliant containing 10% AHA to dissolve build-up of dead skin cells and soothing ingredients to calm visible irritation.
Soft Services
Buffing Bar
$28
net wt 3.75 oz (2)
fragrance free
This is a set of two physical exfoliating bricks for body skin made of fine sanding crystals compressed within a moisturizing, soothing base.
Soft Services works with experts to review the accuracy of our content, but they do not endorse the products we made.
Get Updates
There’s more to come.
Sign up to receive periodical updates on Mass Index, and to be the first to know when Soft Services launches new products. (If we don’t have any updates, we won’t email you.)
Keratosis Pilaris
Small, harmless bumps of dead skin cells that form around the hair follicle.
Also Called
KP, chicken skin, bumpy arms, permanent goose bumps
Frequently Found On
Back of upper arms, outer thighs, back of thighs, outer calves
Related Concerns
Learn More: Keratosis Pilaris