Keratosis pilaris is an extremely common and completely harmless skin condition that you might not even realise you have. Also referred to as KP, chicken skin, strawberry skin or permanent goosebumps, it appears as small, rough bumps, most commonly on the backs of the arms, thighs, buttocks and sometimes the cheeks.
Now, you might think of using a physical exfoliant or scrub to buff away rough or dead skin, yet many experts recommend utilising a combination of physical and chemical exfoliants. But, don’t let the word chemical put you off. “Chemical exfoliants can be really helpful for keratosis pilaris because they work by breaking down the build-up of dead skin cells that contribute to blocked follicles,” explains Dr Ahmed El Muntasar, GP and owner of The Aesthetics Doctor.
“A lot of people’s first instinct is to physically scrub the bumps away, but harsh scrubs can actually irritate the skin and make redness worse. Chemical exfoliants tend to give you a much more controlled and effective form of exfoliation.”
Some of the chemical exfoliant buzzwords you’ll want to keep an eye out for as you shop for the best KP products are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as lactic acid and glycolic acid, beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) such as salicylic acid, and urea. Whether you have keratosis pilaris or not, regularly exfoliating your skin also allows other skincare products, such as moisturisers, serums and body balms, to penetrate the skin better.
While it’s recommended, when using acids, to do a patch test on a small section to check for any negative or adverse reactions before applying all over, it is just as important to practice good aftercare whenever you use a KP product. This means following up any acid or actives use with an SPF, as “AHAs such as glycolic or lactic acid increase your sensitivity to the sun”, reveals Dr Mariana Noy, consultant dermatologist at Montrose London.
So, if you struggle with the skincare condition or think that you might have KP, I’ve tested the best keratosis pilaris products to add to your skin and bodycare routine.
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The best keratosis pilaris products for 2026 are:
- Best overall – First Aid Beauty KP bump eraser body scrub with 10% AHA strawberry: from £11, Lookfantastic.com
- Best budget buy – E45 bumpy skin smoothing cream: £10.99, Boots.com
- Best everyday product – Mixa urea cica repair body cream: £9.99, Superdrug.com
- Best body wash – Grown Alchemist resurfacing targeted body cleanser: £32, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best system – Ameliorate KP combat bundle: £32, Lookfantastic.com
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First Aid Beauty KP bump eraser body scrub with 10% AHA strawberry
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: keratosis pilaris product overall
Why we love it
- Quick results
- Great mixture of physical and chemical exfoliants
- Available in different scents
Take note
- Can be tricky to squeeze out of the tube
- Needs following up with a thick cream or lotion
Combining physical and chemical exfoliation, First Aid Beauty’s KP bump eraser body scrub with 10% AHA has long been a go-to for me when it comes to the best treatments for keratosis pilaris. In fact, I’ll soon have been using it for over five years, and only recently tried out the strawberry and peach scented iterations. Both provide the same results as the original, but feel a bit more summery and fun, with the strawberry being my new favourite.
Applied to wet skin, the fine consistency of the pumice helps to physically buff away dead skin and risen bumps, while the addition of acids such as glycolic and lactic work exfoliate deeper. And you only need to use it once or twice a week to visibly see and feel a difference. Those with oily or more acne prone skin, combination, normal, sensitive and dry skin should all benefit from using this product.
Like many of the KP scrubs and products on the market, you will need to follow it up with a thicker moisturiser or lotion, and this is especially true if you have dry or dehydrated skin. It can also be a bit tricky to squeeze out of the tub.
Key specifications
Buy now £11.5, Boots.com
E45 bumpy skin smoothing cream
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: budget keratosis pilaris product
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Fragrance-free
- Should work for most skin types
Take note
- Does feel a bit more medicinal than some of the others
If you’re on a budget, or don’t want to shell out too much on a KP product, E45’s bumpy skin smoothing cream routinely comes in at under £10. Alternatively, it’s also an excellent option if you’re a bit wary of trying exfoliants, acids or have sensitive skin, with the emollient cream feeling gentle on a range of problem areas. Add in it being fragrance-free and this KP product should work for a wide range of individuals, regardless of their skin type.
You might be familiar with E45 for its dermatological skincare targeted towards a number of dry skin conditions, and this cream is just as impressive. It sinks in to leave hydrated and nourished skin behind.
You can apply it up to two times a day on dry, bumpy or scaly areas, before scaling that back to two to three times a week to maintain a smoother skin texture. And after using it consistently on an especially stubborn KP area on my elbow, my skin looked and felt considerably smoother and softer.
Key specifications
Buy now £10.99, Boots.com
Mixa urea cica repair body cream
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: everyday keratosis pilaris product
Why we love it
- Hydrating
- Great value for money
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Take note
- Unnecessarily fragranced
- Slightly greasy
A recent release to the UK market, Mixa’s urea cica repair body cream quickly became a firm favourite of mine. After just a few days of using this cream consistently, the scaly look and feel on my arms and legs started to fade. It’s a KP treatment that I’ve continued to use on an almost daily basis ever since testing concluded.
Given the oversized tub and decent concentration of urea, it is easily one of the best when it comes to value for money, and I do see myself continuing to buy tub after tub of it going forward.
The only slight negatives are the fragrance, which might be off-putting for some, and that it can feel a bit greasy if you apply it too liberally. With it having a somewhat sweet aroma, which might not be too overpowering, it feels rather out of place in what is essentially a dermatologist recommended product. I’m used to brands like CeraVe and similar specifically not including fragrance for this reason.
However, I can look past both of these issues given how nourishing and impactful it is on my skin.
Key specifications
Buy now £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
Grown Alchemist resurfacing targeted body cleanser
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: keratosis pilaris body wash
Why we love it
- Doesn’t strip the skin
- Spa-like scent
Take note
- Doesn’t lather up as much as some other body washes
- Quite expensive
I have to admit, Grown Alchemist’s resurfacing body wash is the most expensive that I’ve tried over my years of testing beauty, but it’s the one that’s consistently worked best for me and my rather scaly skin. It added an almost spa-like feel to my shower routine, too.
Not only is it well suited to those with KP, but its combination of acids also work well on dehydrated, uneven skin, ingrown hairs, as well as blemishes and back acne and dull elbows and knees. It left my entire body looking and feeling smooth and nourished. Considering that my skin often feels a bit tight and stripped as soon as I step out of the shower when using a standard shower gel, I was surprised – in a good way – that I didn’t experience that at all with this one, even with it containing quite a few acids.
I do recommend leaving it on your body, and on any problem areas, for a few minutes as you do a hair mask or wash your hair. That way it has a bit of extra time to get to work, instead of simply rinsing it off. You’ll need to apply SPF to your body after using this, as it’ll make your skin sensitive to the sun and potential sun damage.
Key specifications
Buy now £32, Libertylondon.com
SVR xerial 30 concentrated body gel cream
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: keratosis pilaris product for sensitive skin
Why we love it
- Great for targeted treatment
- Can be used on a daily basis
- Suitable for a wide range of skin types
Take note
- Smaller in size than many of the others
For those who would prefer a lighter consistency to their keratosis pilaris body cream, SVR’s xerial 30 concentrated body gel cream has a lovely texture to it. I also found it to be one of the most satisfying to use when the temperatures started to warm up, which is typically when I find a thicker cream or lotion can be a bit too heavy. Thanks to its precise tip applicator, this makes it much easier to target specific areas, without having to dole out too much product or dip into a large tub.
Because of its gel-cream consistency, it’s not greasy or sticky in the slightest and absorbs quickly into the skin. I found that it was powerful, yet gentle enough to use on a daily basis to keep on top of any bumps or scaliness.
Another product which comes as part of a wider accompanying range, it is not just suitable for those with sensitive skin but can also be used by children aged three and up, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, which isn’t always the case with these kinds of products. So, if you’ve ever had a negative reaction to exfoliants or acids in the past, whether that be redness or irritation, I would point you in the direction of this product and brand.
Key specifictions
Buy now £17.5, Amazon.co.uk
Ameliorate KP combat bundle
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: keratosis pilaris system
Why we love it
- Impressive results
- Savings to be had by buying as part of a bundle
- Lightweight lotion
Take note
- Not necessarily the most hydrating lotion
If you don’t necessarily want to shop around for several different KP products, or would prefer to use complementary ones from the same range or brand, this KP combat bundle system from Ameliorate is a fantastic option. Including both its transforming body exfoliant and transforming body lotion, you’re immediately set up for success.
I’ve been using Ameloriate products for a number of years now, and I always come back to these two products – used in tandem – for good reason. While the body exfoliant should only be applied two or three times a week, the accompanying lotion can be used twice daily. I always go back to the lotion because of its lightweight and thinner consistency, making it a great choice over the warmer months.
Both utilise AHAs, as well as nourishing ingredients to add hydration back into the skin. And if you’ve been thinking about buying either product on its own, you can save £10 simply by buying them together in this bundle.
The bumps on my arms and legs, which are my biggest KP issue – and the most noticeable – significantly reduce whenever I use these two products. I also love the new packaging that launched towards the end of 2025, which makes it even easier to dispense and apply the products.
Key specifications
Buy now £32, Lookfantastic.com
Naturium KP body scrub & mask
Rating: 4/5
Best: keratosis pilaris body scrub
Why we love it
- Skin immediately feels softer and smoother
- Easy to apply on wet skin in the shower
Take note
- Tricky to squeeze out
- Drier or dehydrated skin types might need to follow it up with a moisturiser or cream
Another nice scrub, which also doubles up as a mask, is Naturium’s KP body scrub & mask. Utilising a combination of physical exfoliants (namely pumice) and chemical exfoliants (glycolic and salicylic acids), it also contains a number of hydrating ingredients. But as someone with especially dry/dehydrated skin, I did feel like I needed to follow it up with a thick cream or body lotion.
Easy to apply, with it being used on wet skin (I used it in the shower), you leave it on for a few minutes, with five being the maximum for my skin, before rinsing it off. You’re then left with silky soft skin after just one use.
I appreciated that it was available in a travel size, as it can be tricky to care for KP when on holiday. It’s also a good way to test it out to see if it works for your skin, without having to shell out for the full size.
My only real gripe is how tricky it can be to squeeze the product out. Once the tube is about half empty, it requires a herculean effort to squeeze it out. I ended up having to cut the top off the tube to manually scrape some out, so I’d love to see it in a tub or other type of packaging if it ever change things up in the future.
Key specifications
Buy now £21, Amazon.co.uk
Joonbyrd kaleidoscope smoothing body serum
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: luxury keratosis pilaris product
Why we love it
- Melts into the skin
- Packed full of impressive ingredients
Take note
- Expensive
- Fragrance might not be to everyone’s taste
- Might not be rich enough for seriously dehydrated skin
Even though it might be on the pricier side, I was thoroughly impressed by Joonbyrd’s kaleidoscope smoothing body serum. With a lightweight, almost whipped texture to it, it doesn’t feel too heavy and almost melts into the skin. This was a nice reprieve from some of the thicker and heavier consistencies that are often associated with managing KP and dry/dehydrated skin.
After just a few uses, I noticed a significant reduction in how rough the bumps and texture felt on my arms, with it being one of my favourites to use over the warmer months. However, it likely won’t be rich enough for those with incredibly dry/dehydrated skin or over the winter. And while I didn’t mind the sweet cherry fragrance, it could be too pungent for some.
Priced at £78 for 100ml – or £18 for a 15ml travel/trial size – it is one of the most expensive KP products on the market, however, it’s jam packed with ingredients proven to improve the appearance and feel of bumps and dehydrated skin. From azelaic acid and urea, to lactic acid and fruit extracts, Joonbyrd hasn’t skimped on its formulation.
Key specifications
Buy now £78, Lookfantastic.com
CeraVe SA smoothing cleanser
Rating: 4.5/5
Best: keratosis pilaris product for the face
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Great second cleanse option
- Routinely on sale or in a deal
- Fragrance-free
Take note
- You'll likely still need another face cleanser in addition to this one
It’s quite common for KP to affect the face and neck, and much like how you wouldn’t use a thick body lotion on your face, it’s a good idea to use a dedicated KP product for the face. And that’s where CeraVe’s SA smoothing cleanser comes into play.
Helping to reduce the little bumps that I experience on my cheeks and forehead, it gets to work quickly, improving the look and texture after just a few days. You can, of course, also use it on other parts of your body, as well. It doesn’t leave the skin feeling tight or stripped either, which is always a concern of mine when applying exfoliants and chemical peels to the face.
With a gel to foam consistency, I personally only use it a few times a week, or when needed. But if you’ve built up a tolerance to using exfoliating acids on your face, it’s gentle enough to use twice daily.
As it’s being tasked with improving texture and bumps, I don’t use it to remove makeup or SPF, so, you will likely still need another cleanser as part of your skincare routine. However, as it is routinely discounted or included as part of a deal, you should be able to get it for a good price.
Key specifications
Buy now £14.49, Amazon.co.uk
The Inkey List glycolic acid exfoliating body stick
Rating: 4/5
Best: keratosis pilaris product for travel
Why we love it
- Multitasker
- Quick and easy to use
- Affordable
Take note
- Slower results than other KP products
If you’re looking for a mess-free, fuss-free and travel-friendly keratosis pilaris product, this exfoliating body stick from The Inkey List should certainly be on your radar. Applied to clean, dry skin, it can be used all over your body, and because of its design, you can cover a large surface area in a matter of seconds. It also helped me to reach trickier areas with ease.
I started off using it around three times a week, but you can build up your tolerance to using it everyday. However, after trying it out over the course of an entire month, it was only during the third and fourth week that I started to notice any visible differences. So, you do need to be more patient with this one. It’s not the type to give you immediate or even overnight results, like you might with a physical exfoliant or scrub.
In addition to helping with KP, I also saw a vast reduction in the number of ingrown hairs that I had after shaving and I even tried it on my slightly dry heels, as the brand recommends, and was pleasantly surprised with how soft they became, making this an excellent multitasker.
Key specifications
Buy now £15, Amazon.co.uk
What is the best keratosis pilaris product?
My favourite overall and the one that I have been using for years now, is the First Aid Beauty KP bump eraser body scrub with 10% AHA. It has pumice to physically buff away dead skin, and combined with exfoliation from glycolic and lactic acid, it’s an incredibly effective solution for KP.
If my keratosis pilaris becomes more severe, Mixa’s urea cica repair body cream quickly becomes the product that I use on a daily basis. And to complete my bodycare routine, Grown Alchemist’s resurfacing targeted body cleanser, is now a shower essential for me.
For keeping costs low, the E45 bumpy skin smoothing cream is my go to budget-friendly keratosis pilaris product.
How I tested keratosis pilaris products
To give each product a fair comparison, I tested each one – without using any other similar skincare products – for at least a week, with some used for months. I took the following into consideration:
Is keratosis pilaris treatable?
“The good news is that keratosis pilaris can absolutely be improved, but it is important to manage expectations,” admits Dr Ahmed El Muntasar. “There isn’t a permanent cure, and for some people it can come and go, but with the right skincare routine most people can make a big difference to both the texture and appearance of their skin.”
Essentially, “the key thing with KP is consistency. It is not something that disappears overnight, but regular use of the right ingredients can really help smooth and soften the skin over time.”
What causes keratosis pilaris?
KP “happens when keratin, which is a protein naturally found in the skin, builds up and blocks the hair follicles,” Dr Ahmed El Muntasar affirms. “It isn’t dangerous or something people need to worry about medically, but I completely understand why people find it frustrating because it can make the skin feel rough, bumpy and uneven.”
It’s also more common in people who “naturally have drier skin or conditions like eczema because the skin barrier is already more prone to dryness and rough texture,” he concludes.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Ellis Cochrane is a beauty writer who has tried, tested and recommended a huge range of beauty products, from Color Wow haircare to chemical peels. As with all of the products in our reviews, all of the products for keratosis pilaris Ellis recommends have been put through real-world, hands-on testing.
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