Nonetheless, retinoids are additionally notoriously irritating. With a view to guarantee they don’t make any irritation worse, Dr. Shah suggests utilizing a retinol product particularly made for the physique. These choices usually have a decrease focus than formulation to your face, he says. A pair to attempt: Versed Press Restart Mild Retinol Physique Lotion ($18, Goal) and Nécessaire The Physique Retinol ($55, Sephora). Irrespective of your lotion of alternative, use it every day in case your pores and skin can tolerate it, in any other case cut back to 2 or 3 times per week, he recommends.

Over-the-counter cortisone lotions

Dr. Madfes recommends retaining this one in your again pocket as a quick repair when a KP flare pops up at an inopportune time, like earlier than an enormous occasion. It received’t assist with the bumps, however it is going to tamp down irritation and enhance the general look of your pores and skin by making it look much less discolored, she says. Nonetheless, she’s fast to notice that OTC cortisone lotions (which normally are available in a 1% focus, FYI) don’t goal the foundation causes of KP just like the choices above do. In different phrases, slathering one on day in and time out is not going to eliminate your KP. However if you happen to’re determined to briefly make your pores and skin look higher for a couple of days or so, it’s value a attempt.

Three KP “therapies” that received’t work

Bodily exfoliation alone

In contrast to the chemical choices above, bodily exfoliants like scrubs simply, yep, bodily take away useless pores and skin. However, on their very own, they’re not the best choice for KP. “You actually need some kind of chemical exfoliation to first loosen the useless cells earlier than you attempt to slough them away,” notes Dr. Madfes. You’ll be able to’t simply “scrub” the bumps off, provides Dr. Shah. “Folks go to city with scrubs or exfoliating gloves and exfoliate their pores and skin into oblivion,” he says. This aggressive method might make your pores and skin slightly smoother, but it surely’s additionally irritating and might make any present irritation worse, he provides.

All that being mentioned, it’s potential to securely incorporate bodily exfoliants into your bump-banishing routine, with a couple of caveats. In the event you’re going to make use of a scrub, decide a delicate one which additionally comprises a chemical exfoliant, Dr. Shah says. He likes the First Support Magnificence KP Bump Eraser Physique Scrub ($30, Sephora) which mixes pumice beads alongside glycolic and lactic acids. Use it a couple of instances per week, at all times following with a delicate moisturizer, as a part of your KP upkeep protocol.

Dr. Madfes says it’s also possible to pair a physique wash that comprises an alpha-hydroxy acid with an excellent old school washcloth for bodily exfoliation. One to attempt: Naturim The Smoother Glycolic Acid Physique Wash ($16, Amazon). In the event you go along with this combo, you’ll need to do it a couple of instances per week, too, she provides.

Benzoyl peroxide

In accordance with Dr. Madfes, KP is usually mistaken for zits, and as such, individuals attain for benzoyl peroxide to eliminate it. And whereas BP is a tried-and-true zits therapy, it’s not going to do a lot for “rooster pores and skin.” “Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial ingredient and keratosis pilaris isn’t a bacterial difficulty,” she explains.

Eating regimen modifications

Numerous individuals on social media declare that consuming much less gluten helped with their keratosis pilaris, however there’s no correlation between the 2, says Dr. Shah, who provides that there are not any dietary interventions that may assist KP. He hypothesizes that what these people may very well have is dermatitis herpetiformis, a pores and skin situation attributable to a gluten intolerance that manifests as crimson or blistery-looking bumps. (The massive distinction: These bumps are itchy and even painful, whereas KP isn’t.)

The annoying fact: Keratosis pilaris could be a enormous problem. However, when you can’t treatment it or eliminate it utterly, the derm-backed ideas and methods above can go a great distance towards retaining the situation beneath management and enhancing the look (and really feel) of your pores and skin. And in relation to KP, that’s actually all you possibly can ask for.

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