My KP (Keratosis Pilaris) Body Care Routine
A few months back I mentioned that I was testing out a few products to help minimize my KP. If you didn’t know, KP stands for Keratosis Pilaris. I’ve had Keratosis Pilaris for as long as I could remember, but never knew what it was. During my younger days, I admit I did a lot of picking which caused some scarring. I was always told to just exfoliate and believe me I did. But exfoliating alone didn’t solve the problem for me. Over the past year I made it a point to actively treat it. After trying multiple products I’m happy to say I’ve found some products that have helped me tremendously.
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What is KP/Keratosis Pilaris?
If you’re unsure what KP is, Keratosis Pilaris is a skin condition that causes tiny bumps that can usually be found on the back of the arm (as seen in the photo below), thighs (especially the back) and other areas of the body. KP is caused by a buildup of keratin, a protein that protects the skin. This buildup causes a blockage to hair follicles.
The bumps are not known to be itchy or painful, but they are rough to the touch. KP is often more prevalent in those with dry skin textures. Scratching these bumps can cause scarring. With many skin conditions they are often linked to genetics, it’s said that genetics could be the cause of the skin creating extra keratin.
KP Body Care Routine
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind this a routine that works for me. At this point my body is pretty resilient when using actives. For those that are new to using actives in their body care products, I would highly recommend patch testing along with starting off slow. For me this semi-aggressive routine has helped me to diminish my KP and achieve very smooth skin in the process.
I have been able to get my KP Routine down to three steps and I’ll break down each one to explain how they have helped me. Steps 1 and 2 are solely conducted in my PM body care. Step 3 is more of an everyday measure.
Step 1: Exfoliate (physical / chemical) (2-3x per week)
The first product chemical exfoliant that I tried in my journey was the REN AHA Body Serum. I found the serum to be a nice starter product, but I found that I ultimately needed something more potent. I went from using this a few days a week to every-other, but I noticed the results were very mild with this serum.
As I started trying out more physical exfoliation products, I came across the First Aid Beauty KP Eraser Scrub. I found that the KP Eraser worked well to smooth out my skin and buff away dead skin cell.
The First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA (Hybrid Physical & Chemical Exfoliation)
Price: $28 for 8oz.
The First Aid Beauty KP Eraser is more hybrid body scrub as it is formulated with 10% AHA (Glycolic and Lactic Acid), Pumice buffing beads and Bisabolol, which is known for its skin healing properties. The texture of the scrub feels extremely grainy and a little coarse. Even with that being said, I didn’t find the scrub to be too harsh on the skin. The directions call for the scrub to be used 1-2x a week. I typically use it twice a week and haven’t noticed any sensitivity to my skin while doing so. The KP Eraser has to be one of the best scrubs that I ever tried. This is a product that I plan to continuing purchasing.
During the middle of the week when I’m not using the KP Eraser, I like to use a gentler body exfoliator scrub. I don’t have a go to product, I pretty much just use what’s in my shower. This is a step that I only do once a week.
Ingredients: Pumice, Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lactic Acid, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sorbitol, Colloidal Oatmeal, Tocopherol, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Xanthan Gum, Steareth-20, Steareth-21, Myristic Acid, Sodium Isethionate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, EDTA.
Once out of the shower I use The Ordinary Glycolic 7% Toning Solution. Keep in mind this is a face toner. I use it by pouring it into an empty spray bottle and then directly spray it onto the affected areas of my body. Being that this spray is being applied to the entire body, I find the Glycolic Toner by the Ordinary to be the most cost efficient by being less than $9 a bottle! Hands down this solution has been the most effective product for helping my KP. This a product I will continue to purchase in doubles!
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (Chemical Exfoliation)
Price: $8.90 for 8oz:
The solution is recommended to be used only at night due to it being an acid-based product. As previously mentioned, I use this on body several times a week. Sometimes I use it after using the First Aid Beauty KP Eraser.
Overall I typically use this several nights out of the week (every other day) since my skin tolerates this very well. I do try to take precaution by not using this the day before I know I’ll have fully body exposure to the sun (i.e going to the beach or long periods of outdoor activity under the bright sun).
TIP: this solution is also used by many in place of deodorant. It’s been said that it helps to control sweat, odor and helps to lighten darkness in the underarm area.
Key Ingredients:
-Glycolic Acid, an AHA that exfoliates the skin
-Tasmanian Pepperberry Derivative: Helps reduce irritation associated with acid use.
-Ginseng Root and Aloe Vera: Offer both visible radiance and soothing benefits.
Ingredients: Water, Glycolic Acid, Rosa damascena flower water, Centaurea cyanus flower water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Glycine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Arginine, PCA, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Hexyl Nicotinate, Dextrin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Gellan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
Products Discussed:
Physical/Chemical Hybid-First Aid Beauty KP Eraser 10% AHA (used 2x a week)
Chemical- The Ordinary Glycolic 7% Toner (used every other day)
Chemical- Ren AHA Body Serum- formulated with lactic acid. Used in the past. Great option for those with more sensitive skin types or just looking to start out treating.
Step 2: Moisturize
I think moisturizing goes hand and hand with exfoliating. Personally, I notice that my KP looks and feels worse when my skin is not properly moisturized. I’m not saying that you have to use the same creams that I did below, but I find that thicker moisturizers tends to work better for me. The following two moisturizers have been great to provide nourishment and moisture to the skin. Keep in mind that the Skinfix cream on the left is Glycolic based cream.
Skinfix Resurface + AHA Renewing Body Cream
Price: $45 for 10oz
The Skinfix Body Cream (left in the image above) is described as a hydrating body cream that gently exfoliates, smooths and softens rough and bumpy skin. The moisturizer is formulated with 5% natural AHA and lime extract. I found the cream to be super moisturizing and great to use during the winter months. A little of this product went a long way and the jar lasted me for a very long time. As for the results, I found that this cream did very little to actually help with the effects of my KP.
I think $45 is pretty steep, but I would definitely consider purchasing it if it were on sale. I did not use this cream at the same as time Glycolic Toner as it was used prior.
Ingredients: Water, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Glycerin, Olus Oil (Vegetable Oil), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Betaine, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Limonene.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Price: $34 for 6oz
The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (right in the image above) is known for being great to use from head to toe. The cream is light weight but yet still very moisturizing. Many people love using this cream on their face, but I prefer to use it on my body. The Ultra Repair Cream is formulated with great ingredients like squalene, Colloidal Oatmeal, Shea Butter and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, which are all known to be nourishing to the skin. This has been a great cream to apply after using the glycolic solution as I feel that it helps to keep skin moisturized longer.
Further Reading: Previous Review
Step 3: SPF
I really think it’s a good idea to treat this routine as I would with my face. Being that I use actives and acids on my face, I also make sure to use a great sunscreen. I apply this same rule to my body. I don’t have a particular body sunscreen that I use religiously. But I do think if you’re using acids on the body, it would be best to limit your exposure to the skin.
I just happen to like the Trader Joe’s Body Sunscreen Spf 50 Mist. The spray makes it very easy to use before running out of the house. The Fre Body Lotion is another great option, but more on the pricier side. I find this makes a great base and body lotion to use during the day time hours as it’s a lotion and spf all in one. This one is also water resistant for up to 80 minutes and quickly absorbs in the skin.
Products Discussed:
Trader Joe’s SPF 50 Spray Sunscreen | Price $5.99 (unable to link as it TJ’s is not sold online)
Overall Routine
Exfoliating- Several times a week by the usage of physical and chemical exfoliation. I typically use alternate between the First Aid Beauty KP Eraser (10% AHA) and The Ordinary Glycolic Toning Solution (7% AHA). Just be careful not to use too many exfoliating products at once. If you’re using a mixture of the two, you will not need any other acid based exfoliators in your routine.
Moisturizing- Dry skin makes the condition harder to treat, so remember to moisturize
Sunscreen- SPF is important overall, but even more important when using direct actives/acid in your routine.
In the End….
KP effects about 40% of the population, so if you’re dealing with this you’re not the only one. For me I find that Exfoliating, Moisturizing and using a good Sunscreen has helped me to diminish the severity of it. I also find that shaving tends to aggravate the condition more. As I previously mentioned, The Ordinary Glycolic Toning Solution 7% has been a game changer for helping to diminish my KP along with being the least expensive product that I’ve tried. I hope this routine and the tips can some of you!