How I Healed My Keratosis Pilaris (KP) Naturally

Effective treatment for keratosis pilaris can be hard to find. I struggled for years and finally figured out how to heal my keratosis pilaris naturally. In this post I share the topical treatments, moisturizers, lotions, creams and scrubs that worked to help heal my keratosis pilaris in just 3 months.

Disclaimer: some of the links in this post are affiliate links where I make a small commission if you purchase the product through that link. This does not cost you anything extra and allows me to keep this website running.

What is keratosis pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris, commonly referred to as KP or "chicken skin" is a common condition that causes small, rough bumps on the skin, most commonly on the back of arms. Keratosis pilaris is harmless and does not require treatment, however for cosmetic reasons many people do try and treat it.

I struggled with KP for years and only made it look worse by picking it (you can see this in my photos below).

Effective treatments for keratosis pilaris can be hard to find and the doctors I saw told me that it would likely never go away, and not to worry about it. However, I was so self conscious of my arms, and was bound and determined to treat it on my own. I tried so many treatments that just didn't work that I finally did my own research and learned how to treat my keratosis pilaris naturally.

Now, since I last saw a doctor regarding my keratosis pilaris, there have been further studies on treating KP and there are now many options that board certified dermatologists will recommend including laser therapy, and various topical treatments including mineral oil, tacrolimus, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, urea creams, retinoids, chemical peels, and vitamin D3 derivatives.

However, some of those treatments can be fairly intense, require prescriptions, can be expensive, and have potential side effects.

Fortunately, I was able to treat my KP by using widely available, over the counter safe skincare products and methods. You can see from my before and after photos just how much my keratosis pilaris healed in only 3 months. In this post I am sharing the topical remedies I used to heal my keratosis pilaris including the scrubs, lotions and creams. I also made a number of diet changes that helped, but in this post I will focus on the topical treatments or external treatments I used.

My before and after photos of keratosis pilaris:

At home treatments for keratosis pilaris:

1. Treatment for keratosis pilaris: exfoliation

Exfoliation. I cannot say enough about this. Exfoliation can do wonders for your skin! How I didn't realize this earlier I do not know. But I am a total believer now.

Exfoliation is the process used to remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface. There are both mechanical and topical or chemical ways to exfoliate your skin. I have been using both to help heal my KP.

There are a number of benefits to exfoliating your skin including:

• Increasing cell turnover
• Detoxifying the skin
• Getting rid of dead, dull skin cells
• Improving skin tone
• Killing bacteria and helping prevents breakouts/rashes
• Improving topical product penetration and treatment results

I exfoliate my skin in a few ways: First, I use dry brushing everyday, second I have been using a sugar scrub on my arms twice a week, and third I have been using a chemical exfoliant twice a week on my arms as well.

The sugar scrub I use on my arms is the Lemongrass Sugar Scrub from Beautycounter. It smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth. 

Both salicylic acid and glycolic acid have been shown to be helpful chemical exfoliants for treating keratosis pilaris, and the chemical exfoliant that I use twice a week that has both of these ingredients in it is the Overnight Resurfacing Body Peel from Beautycounter. I really found that peel to help with the scarring that I had on my arms as well. Another product I added in recently which combines both chemical and physical exfoliants is the Reflect Effect AHA Smoothing Mask. I use this mask once or twice a week.

The other thing I do everyday to exfoliate my skin is dry brushing. Dry brushing is the process of rubbing your dry skin with a hard bristled brush. Sounds a bit crazy doesn't it? But there are many reported benefits of doing this to your skin. Dry brushing is felt to do a few beneficial things for the skin including:

• It sloughs off dead, dry skin to improve the skin's appearance and allow moisturizers to penetrate more effectively.
• It improves the movement of lymph fluid into the local lymph nodes to help remove waste products.

However, it's important to note that to date, no studies have actually examined the benefits of dry brushing.

In order to dry brush you first need to have the proper brush. Ideally one with a long handle and firm bristles.

I dry brush first thing in the morning before I shower, but you can do it any time of day. Simply start at your feet, and move the brush in vertical/upward movements over your skin. Slowly work your way up and over your whole body. It only takes a few minutes and your skin should feel smoother immediately. The first time you do this you may not like the sensation of those hard bristles on your skin (I sure didn't) but once you do it a few times you get used to it and most people actually start to enjoy the feeling.

2. Treatment for keratosis pilaris: moisturization

Moisturiziation has been shown to be helpful for keratosis pilaris, but most of the studies done are done are with prescription strength emollients, but I personally found that over the counter moisturizers worked just as well for me.

I personally stick with safe skincare brands that avoid potentially harmful ingredients in their products. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and much of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your bloodstream. So if you are putting unhealthy ingredients on your skin, they can potentially lead to health issues such as hormone imbalances. I've written other posts on this topic as well including how to choose a safe deodorant that you will likely find helpful.

There are a couple products I have been using to moisturize my skin. The first is jojoba oil, and the second is a hydrating Cleansing Balm. Both of these products are extremely moisturizing and hydrating!

Jojoba oil is a great choice for natural skin care because it is the only oil that resembles human sebum (an oily substance that is naturally produced by your skin), which means it doesn't clog your pores. It not only moisturizes, but also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to be helpful in treating many skin conditions including psoriasis. I add lavender essential oil (which also promotes skin healing and has anti-inflammatory properties) to my jojoba oil and apply this to my arms after I shower. If I'm at home I will also apply it throughout the day. I notice a difference in my skin if I miss just one or two days of this. It's that powerful.

The other product I cannot say enough about is this Cleansing Balm. It has also been key in helping heal my KP. I apply it every night before I go to sleep for some deeply nourishing and healing hydration.

That's it! Those are the external steps I have been using to heal my KP. It really hasn't been that hard, and I wish that I had started this mission sooner. Hindsight is always 20/20 isn't it?

If you have any questions please leave them in the comment section, and before you go be sure to download my free guide on how to heal keratosis pilaris from the inside out:

Frequently asked questions:

Other information you will be interested in:

• How to heal keratosis pilaris with diet 
• How to heal your KP from the inside out
• Deodorant health risks 
• How to choose a safe sunscreen
• What is the bean protocol? 

Our expertise:

Dr. Erin Carter, MD, FRCPC, is a physician with board certifications in internal medicine and rheumatology. She is passionate about preventative healthcare including nutrition, environmental health and low toxicity living. She is also a self-trained chef and has been creating and publishing healthy recipes since 2015. Her recipes have been featured on many different websites and online publications.