How To Help KP!

“Keratosis Pilaris,” also known as “KP.” Rough patches, Dry skin, reddish bumps, and sometimes itching are common symptoms of this skin condition! I’ve personally dealt with KP for years! Today we will be diving deep into “How To Help KP!” Talking about, “what is KP?” “How do I fix KP?” and more!
Bonus video on down! : )

What is KP?

Keratosis Pilaris is a very common skin condition. It is known as “KP” for short. The condition is a build up of Keratin in hair follicle of the skin. It is often found on the upper or back part of your arms, thighs, calves, and upper back legs.

The keratin is overloaded causing a blockage in the hair follicles forming small acne- like bumps. The bumps are usually red/purple or white. The skin can also itch because it is inflamed and or dry from the keratin build up.

Common symptom are: Red/purple or white small acne-like bumps, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, rough patches, sometimes itching, and dry, sometimes flaky skin.

How Do I fix KP?

Now the sad news is… you can’t really “cure” KP. But! You can definitely help it and reduce the symptoms! On some people, the condition will disappear in their mid-adult years. Though if it doesn’t and in the mean time, let’s work on learning how to help it!

I’ve done research for myself for years trying to learn how to “cure it” when I found out you can’t really do so. In that case I now have tons of knowledge on amazing ways to help the condition. I have many products, a wonderful routine, and ways to help reduce the appearance and texture of KP! I even have proof to show that my routine works! ⇩

What can I do to reduce the appearance and texture of KP? My Routine! : )

First, get yourself an exfoliant! I love the “Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser.” (Source.) It helps softly exfoliate my skin without leaving it feeling more dry and rough. Honestly, after using this product my skin feels like a baby’s butt! I believe that’s the “Hydro Boost” working!

You can get all of these products I recommend at your local department store, beauty store, or drugstore! Every product I recommend is in the affordable low price range too! I use Target for a lot of the products I will list.

For KP exfoliate about 3-4 times a week but no more or it will dry out your skin and make KP worse! The second thing I can recommend is shaving. Shave, shave, shave! Always exfoliate before shaving! I’ve been shaving my arms now for about a year and a half. It has helped significantly with texture especially! Shaving exfoliates the skin by the blade running across the top layer of skin removing the dry, old layer of skin. Only shave over the KP about once a week and a half or 2.

I recommend the “Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin Women’s Razor.” (Source.) This razor is made for shaving down there, but I recommend it for KP because it has a guard built in the razor cartridges. The guard helps prevent the razor from touching the very surface of the skin. Therefor, it prevents razor bumps, irritation, and ingrown hairs! (Ingrown hairs are a big issue of KP so this razor is wonderful!) I shave my arms about once every week and a half or 2. Do the same.

Moving to number 3 now! Salicylic Acid! I love and recommend “CeraVe Renewing Face Cleanser for Normal Cleanser with Salicylic Acid.” (Source.) I will wash the back of my arms with this product in the shower after exfoliating and shaving. This acid is an exfoliant. Salicylic Acid is strong. Therefor, I will tell you to use this about 3-4 times a week. No more.

Number 4 is Glycolic acid. I recommend “The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution.” (Source.) This acid helps exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface, it helps tone hyperpigmentation, dry skin, aging, and helps tone the skin. I use it about 3-4 times a week. I will rub it on the back of my arms with a cotton ball after exfoliating and shaving and leave it on.

Time for number 5, my favorite and the most important part to me! Now since my KP is better… I do not use this routine religiously anymore, more so rarely now! Though, KP can come back over time or disappear in time. With that being said, I need to still do this routine more often! But, there are some simple very important things I continue to still do now when I’m not doing the entire routine. One being moisturizing! My very favorite moisturizer is “Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream Unscented.” (Source.)

I adore that it is unscented because scents usually irritate the skin which can make KP appear and feel worse. This moisturizer is very rich in moister for super dry skin. Which is what you need when you have KP. I swear by this moisturizer and brand! I use this moisturizing cream on the back of my arms every single night and morning! I highly recommend you do the same!

I recommend putting it on after you’ve exfoliated, shaven, and put your glycolic acid on. Moisturize every night, every single night! It is very important. Especially when you’re using this routine! My last recommendation is sunscreen! I love “Bare Republic Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion – SPF 30.” (Source.) This sunscreen is oxybenzone free as well! Which is wonderful! Oxybenzone is a popular sunscreen ingredient that is now showing to cause skin cancer! It is now becoming a less popular ingredient, thankfully. Always get Oxybenzone free sunscreens!!!

But, anyways, sunscreen helps protect your fragile skin from the suns harmful UV waves! And we are trying to help our KP here! So let’s protect our skin and make sure it doesn’t worsen. Because the sun can be very damaging to our skin overtime if we’re not careful! Although if you look in the before and after pictures above you will see that I have a slight tan which actually also helps the appearance of KP! So get yourself a tan! But, safely. Use your sunscreen always and every morning before moisturizing!!!

BONUS! Here’s a video: “What Are These Bumps On My Skin? | Keratosis Pilaris | with Dr. Sandra Lee” on “How To Help KP!”

Dr. Sandra Lee recommends more expensive over the counter products while I recommend more affordable drugstore products. Though she does recommend a “chemical exfoliant” which is not an over the counter product. I would recommend this as well! You can get one at your local department, beauty, and or drugstore. I did not personally use this on my KP but I did use it on my face and it works wonders!

The exfoliant exfoliates so deeply that it is also known as a “peeling solution.” Peeling the dry dead skin cells off your face. It is very very strong. So I recommend using it 1-2x a week if you decide to incorporate it into my routine! No more! I use it once a week. A good chemical exfoliant I love is “AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution.” (Source.) I have a review of my own on this product! : ) here: Does the ordinary peeling solution work? The Ordinary Peeling Solution Review

Now : ) As always, Thank you, for joining me on my journey of how to help KP! Please, subscribe, sign up, and let me know how your KP journey is going using my routine! I hope I helped you find out information on “How To Help KP!” New to abbynmiddleton.com? If so, check out my latest post on “Skincare Tips For Men!” And if you liked this post you’re on, you might also like: “How To Get A Good Skin Care Routine!” Stay tuned for new posts every week! 🙂