10 best products for keratosis pilaris to help soothe and clear skin

After hearing great things about this particular body scrub, formulated and designed with KP in mind, this was the very first product our tester tried to help combat their bumpy and textured skin, and they continue to use it years later.

Even though it is a physical scrub, what makes this stand out from others on the market is how fine the pumice buffing beads are. This means it could work well for those with more sensitive or dehydrated skin. However, as always, when using acids, it is recommended you do a patch test on a small section to check for any negative or adverse reactions before applying all over.

While the physical exfoliant is of a finer consistency, the combination of this with AHA chemical exfoliants is what sets it apart and it works wonders when applied to wet skin. Our tester applies this directly after showering, no more than twice a week and can always visibly see and feel a difference thereafter. In addition to sensitive skin, those with oily or more acne prone skin, combination, normal and dry skin should all benefit from this product.

If you’re on the lookout for an exfoliating body wash at less than £10, this salicylic acid option from natural skincare brand Q+A is a good choice. It cleans the skin effectively, while leaving it feeling smoother, when used consistently. Our tester did note the gel-based formula doesn’t foam or lather as much as a traditional body wash does. So, this is something to bear in mind if you’re looking for a particularly creamy or foamy texture.

The combination of nourishing ingredients, such as aloe vera and white willow bark extract, leaves the skin feeling soothed, especially when dealing with any breakouts or particularly rough areas. Meanwhile the inclusion of salicylic acid also makes this a great option for those who suffer from body or back acne. The body wash is both vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, and you can follow it up with the Q+A salicylic acid smoothing lotion, to continue the routine.

Whether or not you have keratosis pilaris, this body mitt is ideal for sloughing away dead skin. Unlike other exfoliating mitts and gloves that can be used when wet, this one is designed specifically to be used dry before you hop into the bath or shower.

Our tester uses circular motions, as the brand advises, to buff across her legs, arms and buttocks. Thanks to its tight wrist band and double-sided design, it is incredibly easy to use. You can also see and feel immediate results from the very first use, with the dead skin that has been removed clearly visible against the black mitt.

The mitt is gentle enough to be used on a daily basis and our tester hasn’t experienced any redness or sensitivity as a result of using it several times a week. Each mitt should also last around six months, before having to be replaced.

This is another great body wash for those dealing with keratosis pilaris. Despite having a powerful blend of acids, it is still gentle enough for everyday use. However, it is worth noting our tester tends to use this body wash on the areas of their skin that are most prone to KP, such as their arms and legs, while using a traditional body wash to wash their underarms and more intimate areas.

This product has a lovely creamy consistency, which doesn’t dry out or leave the skin feeling tight or stripped, unlike some other acid-based body washes our tester has tried. The brand also recommends leaving this on the skin for several minutes, almost like a mask, while you wash your hair. This appears to allow the product to work that much better – so much so, our tester now always lets it sit on the skin for several minutes before washing it off. Overall, when used consistently, this product leaves our tester’s skin feeling and looking considerably smoother. Plus at £18 for 500ml, it’s great value for money – especially when one pump tends to be enough per use.

Although it’s currently out of stock, you can sign up to be notified when it’s available again.

Even though it is not generally recommended you use a harsh physical scrub on keratosis pilaris (or dry, textured skin, generally), a finely milled body scrub with chemical exfoliants built into it can be beneficial. This product ticks all the boxes.

It has a much finer texture than other exfoliating body scrubs on the market, and comes into its own when applied to the skin with water. It also feels incredibly nourishing, leaving the skin looking softer and plumper afterward. If you’re a fan of Sol De Janeiro’s holiday-inspired scents, this specific product combines top notes of black amber plum and crème de cassis with vanilla musk, alongside floral notes of jasmine blooms and Brazilian orchid. It may be rather strong for those who prefer unscented body products but our tester is a big fan of the tropical fragrance.

With an impressive combination of AHAs, as well as more nourishing ingredients, such as marula and shea butter, this body lotion is ideal for those looking to simultaneously resurface and hydrate the skin. It may be on the pricier side but it does last a good number of months, based on being used every other day. This is the recommended frequency for application, especially if you are just starting to add acids or chemical exfoliation into your bodycare routine.

This lotion is particularly effective on the bumps on the backs of our tester’s upper arms. They also appreciate the product’s texture, which isn’t too thick or lightweight but more of a silky consistency.

It’s another product our tester has used for years but you may need something a bit thicker if you suffer from particularly dry, dehydrated or parched skin during the winter months.

Depending on your preference, you may prefer a lighter body moisturiser. If so, this product is a great choice. The serum-like cream absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves the skin feeling smooth. On the first application, our tester experienced a slight tingle, which they hadn’t previously experienced with any other exfoliating products, but it dissipated after a few minutes.

The only real downside – other than a slightly unpleasant odour – was the price point, which is quite expensive for the amount required to cover the arms, legs and buttocks. There is a 50ml size, priced at £16, which may be more attractive to those looking to see if it works for them and their skin before committing to the full size.

Even though it is important to utilise the likes of AHAs and other exfoliating ingredients and actives to help with the appearance and feel of keratosis pilaris, you’ll also want to give your skin a break from using them everyday. Because of this, it is also important to work a moisturising cream into your routine. When our tester is looking to really lock in moisture and repair the skin barrier, the CeraVe Moisturising Cream is their go-to and has been for a number of years. Designed for dry to very dry skin, this rich, thick cream soothes and nourishes the skin immediately.

It is also worth noting that, while this moisturising cream is great for giving your skin a brief respite from acid use, CeraVe also has an exfoliating cream, in the form of the smoothing SA cream (£18, Boots.com), which includes salicylic acid, 10 per cent urea, ceramides and has a slightly lighter consistency, with it being another great keratosis pilaris product that helps with rough, bumpy skin.

Even though AHAs and other exfoliating acids can be what comes to mind when thinking of how to best treat keratosis pilaris, retinol also has a whole host of different benefits. While it is typically associated with anti-aging, retinol can also assist cell turnover and help to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and rough skin, making it another ingredient to keep an eye out for when you shop for skincare products to deal with keratosis pilaris.

You can apply this to both dry and damp skin, making it perfect for using right before bed – thankfully, it doesn’t leave the skin feeling sticky or greasy before you slip under the covers. As this is an overnight product, you should notice plumper and more hydrated skin when you wake, as opposed to immediately after application. It isn’t quite a thick mask or a lightweight moisturiser but something in between, which may take a bit of getting used to.

It is imperative to follow 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 Noy. Additionally, “SPF is always important to reduce your risk of skin cancer and skin ageing.” So, regardless of whether or not it is a sunny day, any areas where you have applied a chemical exfoliator of some kind must have SPF applied to them thereafter.

Our tester has put many different body SPFs to the test over the years but this is the one they continue to repurchase. La Roche-Posay’s skincare, and sunscreens more generally, always impress but this sun protection spray makes SPF application – and reapplication – a real breeze. Thanks to its fine mist, it’s the kind of SPF you won’t mind applying. With both UVA and UVB protection, it also doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy and is ideal for a whole range of different skin tones because of its lack of white cast. It absorbs into the skin easily and the spray applicator allows you to both cover hard-to-reach areas and reapply throughout the day.