OCTOBER 12, 2021

How to get rid of Keratosis Pilaris (KP), "Chicken Skin" or "Strawberry Legs"

Help! Do you get those small, hard bumps on your skin too? The ones that never seem to go away? Don't worry, you're not alone!

Keratosis Pilaris (KP) is an incredibly common skin condition that affects nearly 40% of adults. It typically manifests as small, hard bumps, usually surrounded by red areas of skin, on the upper arms, legs, or buttocks. In young children, the bumps may also be present on the cheeks. It can look like goose bumps or the skin of a plucked chicken- others mistake the bumps for small pimples.

Whilst KP cannot be "cured" or "treated", there are ways to manage it to reduce its appearance!

Causes of Keratosis Pilaris

KP is a genetic skin condition characterised by tiny bumps and dry, rough patches. It is caused by extra keratin in your skin (the same building block for hair, skin and nails), leading to dead skin cells plugging hair follicles. The plug can also trigger inflammation in the skin, which is what causes the redness around each hair follicle. KP is most commonly found on the arms, legs, and thighs. Rest assured!

KP is a harmless skin condition. It just isn't amazing to look at. It may also cause itchiness and irritation if there is constant friction between your skin and clothes.

Why do we have it?

Did you know that KP is hereditary?

Despite how prevalent KP is, it's unknown why some people experience it and others don't. Keratosis Pilaris usually begins early in life. Fewer adults have it because the condition tends to get better over time! It is more common in those with a history of eczema, asthma, hay fever, extremely dry skin or in those with family that have the condition.

While KP is usually asymptomatic, it is often worse in the winter and less noticeable in the summer. Arid climates and dry skin worsen KP as skin cells are more adherent and shed less frequently when they are dry. Higher humidity levels and sunlight are believed to help with controlling KP, so go soak in those sun rays!

How can I manage Keratosis Pilaris?

If you don't like the look of your KP, there are some techniques you can try to manage it at home. Though the condition can't be cured, self-care treatments can help to minimise bumps, itching and irritation!

1. Exfoliate Regularly

Regular exfoliation helps scrub away excess dead skin and dirt, leaving the skin cleaner, smoother, and softer. This in turn reduces the likeliness of plugged hair follicles, helping reduce the look of KP on your skin! The best part is that you don't need to use extra products for this easy-to-use tool, you just need to add water! Just remember to gently scrub your skin, as skin with KP can be prone to sensitivity.

When you exfoliate your skin, you remove the dead skin cells from the surface. Regular exfoliation with the CheekyGlo Exfoliating Glove can help greatly improve the appearance of the skin. Dermatologists recommend gently removing dead skin with tools like these to help minimise the appearance of bumps.

Exfoliation: it’s all in the glove

This manual exfoliation tool helps to easily swipe away excess keratin, dead skin, and untrap ingrown hairs. This helps skin look dramatically smoother with use, and in the long term, reduce the look of KP

It’s simple, it’s easy, it’s reliable.

Step 2: Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise

To manage KP, moisture is key! When the temperatures drop and air becomes more arid, KP looks a lot more noticeable. When searching for lotions and creams to slather on, a combination of humectant, emollient, and occlusive ingredients make for the most effective moisturisers. Remember to hydrate your skin after every shower and in-between showers when skin feels dry. Your skin will thank you, we promise!

Nourish your skin with our delicious CheekyGlo Juicy Peach Body Oil! This ultra-hydrating body oil leaves skin smooth and plump in seconds! Plus, you'll smell like a delicious juicy peach-good enough to eat! Hand made in our very own Australian lab, this all-natural body oil is made with certified organic ingredients, making it perfect for even the most sensitive skin! It's also vegan, cruelty-free and formulated without sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.

Hydration: it’s all in the oil.

Keep skin moisturised and KP at bay with CheekyGlo!

Our Juicy Peach Body Oil is hydration in a bottle! This oil keeps skin quenched for days! If you want your skin to look like it's glowing from within, use this after every shower! Plus you’ll look as good as it smells!

It’s hydrating, it’s non-greasy and it’s an absolute game changer.

The CheekyGlo Exfoliating Glove easily exfoliates skin and massages away the dead skin cells to unveil new skin underneath, helping you manage your Keratosis Pilaris. Don't forget to hydrate after with the CheekyGlo Juicy Peach Body Oil! This will keep skin moisturised, reducing the look of KP!

The CheekyGlo Juicy Peach Body Oil contains natural ingredients that are perfect for sensitive skin prone to KP:

Peach Kernel Oil, for a long-lasting hydration
Jojoba Oil, ultra-hydrating, softening and smoothing, perfect for dry skin, eczema and wrinkles!
Argan Oil, helps strengthen skin tissues, boosts elasticity, hydrates skin, prevents and reduces stretch marks and much more!
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation and speed up cell regeneration

Tips & Tricks to Treat KP

Opt for laser hair removal

Shaving or waxing can cause more bumps!

However, laser hair removal can remove the hair without causing a flare-up! If there’s a lot of thick hair in the affected areas, this might help. The laser targets melanin in the hair follicle, converting into heat that damages the follicle and prevents future hair growth. Since keratosis pilaris affects the skin around the hair follicle, laser hair removal may help smooth things out a little by stripping your skin of pore-blocking keratin.

Take short showers and baths

To prevent drying your skin, take short baths/ showers and use warm rather than scalding hot water. Your skin will thank you!

Limit bathing to once a day to reduce exposure to hot water!

Protip: Try blasting your skin with cold water for 10 seconds at the end of your shower!

Use a mild cleanser

There are certain soaps and in-shower washes that can help and the best soaps for keratosis pilaris contain glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and/or lactic acid.

Try to avoid ingredients that have the potential to block your pores, such as shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, or soy oil, and use shaving gels instead of creams.

Use a humidifier

Using a humidifier in your bedroom at night can help keep KP symptoms under control. With humid air circulating through a room, your body can absorb some of that moisture into your skin. Skin will feel less dry and tight, less itching around irritated skin from keratosis pilaris and less peeling from sensitive sunburned skin. Your pores won’t get clogged and you’ll likely breathe easier.

Adjust your diet

A great way to begin healing your body is to make healthy lifestyle changes and eat a balanced diet. Zinc, in particular, can help keep skin healthy. Good sources of zinc include oysters, beef, lamb, chicken, pumpkin seeds, and more!

Magnesium—found in whole wheat, spinach, nuts, quinoa, dark chocolate, and black beans—may help as well.

See what our customers say..

"I have the softest skin ever after using this! I also feel like my legs look more toned almost, maybe cos of the increased circulation! I had initially used this for my “strawberry legs” or KP. I’m so happy and satisfied with the results! I combined this manual exfoliation with mandelic acid serum from The Ordinary :) Check out my results! Taken a couple weeks apart."

- VERIFIED CUSTOMER SHARON L.

If you found this helpful, consider sharing it with others that are struggling with KP and are unsure of how to manage it!

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