If you’re struggling with rough and bumpy skin from keratosis pilaris, you’re not alone: The skin condition affects about 50 to 80 percent of teenagers and 40 percent of adults at some point in their lives, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
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It’s so common, in fact, that most dermatologists don’t consider keratosis pilaris — often referred to simply as “KP” — a condition or disease at all.
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Although keratosis pilaris is a chronic condition with no known cure, experts recommend using over-the-counter treatments to help in treating roughness, dryness and bumps.
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I spoke to dermatologists about what causes keratosis pilaris and what ingredients to look forwhen treating symptoms.
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I also compiled a list of products that align with expert guidance.
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Best keratosis pilaris treatments
Listed below are products recommended by dermatologists to treat KP symptoms.
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editors have also tried many of the below treatments for KP bumps and dry, itchy skin.
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Our experts collectively recommend Cerave's SA Lotion as solid pick for helping to reduce keratosis pilaris symptoms.
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Dr. Michael Cameron, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cameron Dermatology, often recommends this cream to his patients because of its exfoliating and moisturizing benefits.
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It’s also a great over-the-counter salicylic acid and lactic acid treatment that’s readily available, according to Sami.
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“I like this product because it has lactic acid and salicylic acid to smooth; niacinamide to decrease inflammation and help the skin barrier; and glycerin and ceramides to hydrate and seal in moisture,” says Dr. Robyn Gmyrek, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City.
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The formula is noncomedogenic and can gently smooth the look and feel of the skin’s texture, according to CeraVe.
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Most intensive cream
Urea cream is a great option to treat and prevent dry, rough and scaly skin, according to our experts.
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“If somebody wants to be a little bit more aggressive with their treatment, then they can add urea to their regimen,” says Sami.
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This Ebanel cream has 40% urea — the highest potency, though a lower concentration works just as well, according to Dr. Naveed Sami, a board-certified dermatologist and professor of medicine at the UCF College of Medicine.
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It also has 2% salicylic acid that exfoliates while also moisturizing, softening and smoothing out the skin, according to our experts.
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The cream is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and can reduce redness and inflammation with ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil and green tea leaf extract, according to the brand.
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This moisturizing lotion from AmLactin has 12% lactic acid to gently exfoliate the skin.
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“It has the benefit of having both an exfoliating component and serving as a daily moisturizer,” says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City.
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It can reduce the spiky texture associated with keratosis pilaris by encouraging skin cell turnover, which replaces existing skin cells and helps keep the skin smooth, says Bordone.
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The lotion has a non-greasy, fragrance-free formula, and it’s suitable to use as a face moisturizer, hand lotion or body lotion, according to the brand.
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AmLactin recommends applying this lotion twice daily, or as directed by your dermatologist.
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Best overall cream
Gold Bond's daily cream, another recommendation from Cameron, is formulated with salicylic acid, lactic acid and gluconolactone (a type of polyhydroxy acid, a gentler category of chemical exfoliants) to gently remove dead skin cells and smooth rough skin.
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It has moisturizing ingredients like shea butter to keep the skin hydrated, too, according to the brand.
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Gold Bond recommends you use this fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cream as you need or as directed by your dermatologist.
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Best cream for very dry skin
Eucerin's Roughness Relief Cream helps minimize the appearance of bumps and smooths out texture thanks to a combination of urea, ceramides and sunflower seed oil, according to Cameron.
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The fragrance-free cream is suitable for daily use on sensitive skin, and it helps lock-in moisture for up to 48 hours, according to the brand.
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If you prefer a physical exfoliant to scrub away dead skin cells, First Aid Beauty's body scrub has 10% alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid, which help improve the skin’s texture and smooth away bumps and roughness, says Dr. Michele Farber, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.
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First Aid Beauty recommends gently massaging the product on wet skin and using one to two times per week, as tolerated.
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You can moisturize your skin with a non-exfoliating cream like this CeraVe option to help reduce symptoms of dryness and itchiness in cooler climates, Sami says.
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This is a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer that contains ceramides to keep the skin hydrated for up to 24 hours and is suitable for all skin types, according to the brand.
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This lotion has a blend of chemical exfoliants like AHAs, BHAs and urea, as well as soothing ingredients like niacinamide that improve symptoms of keratosis pilaris and psoriasis, according to the brand.
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It’s also free of essential oils and fragrances.
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How I picked the best treatments for keratosis pilaris
If you are dealing with keratosis pilaris, a well-balanced routine using exfoliating products and moisturizing regularly can help, according to dermatologists.
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Here are the expert-approved factors I kept in mind to curate our list:
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- Product type: When treating keratosis pilaris, the best method is to incorporate both moisturizing and exfoliating products into your routine.
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Consider moisturizing creams, lotions and body washes that prevent the skin from drying out or getting irritated, especially when you’re exfoliating regularly.
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- Exfoliants: Chemical exfoliants like lactic acid, salicylic acid and urea can help remove excess dead skin cells, according to our experts.
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Anti-inflammatory ingredients like niacinamide can also help reduce the appearance of bumps.
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What is keratosis pilaris and what causes it?
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…and 42 more, not listed.
