My husband has had keratosis pilaris—aka the bumpy “chicken skin” most commonly found on the backs of the arms, cheeks, and thighs—his entire life. Even after doctors told him he’d “grow out of it,” he’s still dealing with small bumps and surrounding redness decades later. Luckily, he’s married to a beauty editor (hi, it’s me!), which means he’s tested more than his fair share of KP treatments—some that reduce redness, some that smooth the bumps, and some that do both.
“Keratosis pilaris is a very common and harmless skin condition caused by a buildup of keratin—a protective protein—in the hair follicles,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kristina Collins, MD. “This leads to tiny, rough bumps. While it's not dangerous, it can be cosmetically bothersome for many.” The best treatments, she says, “combine chemical exfoliants [like AHAs and BHAs] and hydrating ingredients.” That means look for salicylic, glycolic, or mandelic acid to break down keratin plugs, plus hydrators like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier.
