Can You Actually ‘Get Rid of’ Chicken Skin? We Answer Your Keratosis Pilaris Questions
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
One of the most common beauty questions we get asked is on the topic of 'chicken skin'.
Not the delicious, crispy kind. We're talking about keratosis pilaris or KP.
Keratosis pilaris is what we call it when you see a group of small red or pink-ish dots somewhere on your skin.
And I'd be able to shout you a fancy dinner if I had a buck for every time someone asked me 'how to get rid of chicken skin' or 'how to get rid of keratosis pilaris'.
First, it's important to know those little bumps on the backs of your arms aren't dangerous, nor are they unusual.
But if they bother you, you have options.
Keep scrolling for all your keratosis pilaris and chicken skin questions, answered. Plus, we'll share some tried-and-tested keratosis pilaris product recommendations.
What is Keratosis Pilaris?
Keratosis pilaris (or KP for short) is a very common genetic skin condition involving an overgrowth of skin around a hair follicle.
It's often referred to as 'chicken skin'. This is because keratosis pilaris looks like little pink or red bumps scattered in different places on the body - usually on the backs of the arms, but also the thighs, back and even the cheeks and eyebrows.
"I like to say it's a really common human trait, as it's thought to be autosomal dominant, which means if your parents have it, you've got a 50/50 chance of inheriting it," Dr Ryan De Cruz from Southern Dermatology told the Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast.
Listen to the full interview with Dr Ryan De Cruz in this podcast episode below.
Keratosis Pilaris Causes.
Despite what you might've read on the internet, there's no convincing evidence to suggest lifestyle factors like diet can make KP look better or worse.
"Keratosis pilaris causes are mostly genetic. What happens is a lot of skin blocks the hair follicles, giving the skin a rough or bumpy appearance. With the excess skin is an increase of blood vessels, so they can often look like little red bumps," Dr De Cruz says.
"Everyone who has KP can have it to varying degrees. However, when the skin is a bit dryer, [keratosis pilaris] might be more pronounced. And in different environmental conditions, like going from somewhere humid to less humid, you might notice it a bit more."
How to Get Rid of Keratosis Pilaris.
Can you get rid of chicken skin?
Yes, you can 'get rid of' the appearance of it and how it looks, but only through maintenance.
Dr De Cruz says, "It's part of your genetics, there's no clear way or simple fix to 'get rid of it' forever. You can make it smoother and less conspicuous through maintenance over time, depending on how much it bothers you."
Check out our body care YouTube video below for more ideas!
Keratosis Pilaris Treatment.
According to Dr De Cruz, there are three key things you can do at home to treat keratosis pilaris on arms, thighs or anywhere on the body:
- Use a body wash containing an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) like glycolic acid, or beta hydroxy acid (BHA) liek salicylic acid for keratosis pilaris in the shower.
- Follow up with either a keratosis pilaris moisturiser containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid, or hydrating ingredients like ceramides - or both.
- Dr De Cruz suggests using an exfoliating tool like a loofa or exfoliating glove combined with your salicylic body wash in the shower for light but regular exfoliation.
"You need to use a technique between 2-3 times per week. But it's a fine line between light exfoliation and moisturising, to over exfoliating and secondary infection," he says.
"When you try to scrub the skin too hard, you might start to see pustules that look like pimples. This is when bacteria gets into the skin, and it can be quite itchy and leave some scarring."
In other words, it's about playing the long game.
"Inevitably, patients get sick of having to [exfoliate regularly] over time, so keratosis pilaris can come back and fluctuate. So I encourage [people] to make peace with it, to an extent."
Best Body Products for Keratosis Pilaris.
There are heaps of chicken skin products you can add to your body care routine.
Think exfoliating body wash, salicylic acid body washes, glycolic acid moisturisers, salicylic acid lotions - even exfoliating face cleansers.
And if you're familiar with body acne - butt-ne, back-ne or pimples on the backs of your thighs and bum - you can use those products for KP, too.
From a keratosis pilaris cream to a keratosis pilaris lotion, here are some of the best chicken skin products, and treatment products for keratosis pilaris.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Resurfacing Body Cloths.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Resurfacing Body Cloths contain glycolic acid, the same stuff in the brand's cult Alpha-H Liquid Gold product. One side of the cloth is textured, so you get a combination of AHA chemical exfoliation and manual physical exfoliation. Could you use your Liquid Gold (or any glycolic face toner) on a cotton pad? Yes. Are these body exfoliation cloths really convenient though? Also yes.
Tooletries Body Scrubber
Consider this a high-tech version of the old school loofa. The antibacterial body wash tool has silicone exfoliating bristles, making it easy to clean to prevent any bacteria build up. And the best bit? The handle on the back that means you can reach yuor back, no problem!
PMD Beauty Clean Body
Does everyone *need* a smart cleansing device for their body? No. But if it's in your budget, it's a very nice-to-have product. The rechargable, 100% waterproof silicone device cleanses, exfoliates and massgaes. Yep - it comes with three magnetic attachments: a soft silicone bristle head, gentle exfoliation loofah, intense exfoliation buffer or the relax body massager.
The Medik8 Smooth Body Exfoliating Kit is a three-step cosmeceutical body care system. The kit comes with an exfoliating mitt you can use dry or wet like a dry body brush, and the Smooth Body Scrub and Lotion. They both contain lactic acid (an AHA) and salicylic acid (a BHA) to thoroughly exfoliate the inside of blocked pores, plus deeply hydrating ingredients like squalane, glycerin and urea.
Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Made with a powerful blend of Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid, Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser can also double as a keratosis pilaris wash. Through physical and chemical exfoliating agents, this face wash polishes skin to remove dead skin cells and impurities, clearing pores to enhance the complexion and improve overall skin texture.
Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14%
I've been using the Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% to gently exfoliate the skin on my lower body, back and upper arms for years. It's super affordable and packed with active ingredients that actually get the job done. The 14 per cent glycolic acid in a creamy scrub base effectively eats away the gunk clogging your hair follicles and helps renew skin texture to treat any dark spots (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) that bumps leave behind.
Revolution Skincare Salicylic Balancing Body Cleanser
This is an affordable, vegan and cruelty-free body cleanser with active ingredients to tackle blemishes on the body. 1% salicylic works to exfoliate this skin, and the $12 price tag means you don't have to worry about running through it too fast!
Revolution Skincare Salicylic Balancing Moisture Gel
This is your hydrating gel body moisturiser with salicylic acid for extra exfoliation. The lightweight gel texture is great for summer, but the additions of glycerin and betaine still deliver enough hydration.
Dr De Cruz says you can never have too much hydration for the skin, so a thick-textured body cream like this one will help support all that exfoliation. It's rich and creamy and smells lovely. And a big tub will last you ages!
These are just some of our favourite keratosis pilaris products, but everyone is different.
As always, speak to a medical professional like a GP or dermatologist to get professional, personalised advice!
Shop the Best Products for Keratosis Pilaris Here:
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Resurfacing Body Cloths$32.00 - Currently not available
Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 200ml$72.00 - Currently not available
Weleda Skin Food Body Butter 150ml$36.95
Medik8 Smooth Body Exfoliating Kit$104.00
Revolution Skincare Salicylic Balancing Body Cleanser 200ml$12.00 - Currently not available
Revolution Skincare Salicylic Balancing Moisture Gel 200ml$8.40 $12.00 - Currently not available
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Want more great body care product recommendations? Check out these stories from our Adore Beauty staff below!
