Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition that causes small, rough bumps, often on the upper arms, thighs, or buttocks. Because of its bumpy texture, it’s sometimes called “chicken skin.”

Although keratosis pilaris is generally harmless, the bumps can feel rough and may look red, brown, or similar to your natural skin tone. Some people also notice that the condition becomes more noticeable when their skin is dry.

The good news is that a gentle body-care routine can often improve how keratosis pilaris looks and feels. Ingredients such as lactic acid, salicylic acid, urea, and moisturizers may help soften rough skin and reduce the buildup around hair follicles.

Here’s what causes keratosis pilaris and what you can do to manage it.

What Is Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris, commonly shortened to KP, is a skin condition in which keratin builds up and plugs hair follicles.

Keratin is a protein naturally found in your skin, hair, and nails. When it accumulates around the opening of a hair follicle, it can create a small bump.

These bumps commonly appear on the:

Upper arms
Thighs
Buttocks
Cheeks

Keratosis pilaris isn’t contagious, and the bumps aren’t caused by poor hygiene.

What Does Keratosis Pilaris Look Like?

The appearance can vary depending on your skin tone and the severity of the condition.

You may notice:

Tiny rough bumps
Dry or sandpaper-like skin
Skin-colored bumps
Red or pink bumps
Brown or darker-looking spots
Mild itching or irritation
More noticeable bumps during dry weather

The bumps usually develop around individual hair follicles.

Some people have only a small patch, while others have larger areas of bumpy skin.

What Causes Keratosis Pilaris?

The main feature of keratosis pilaris is excess keratin collecting around and blocking hair follicles.

Why this happens isn’t completely understood.

Genetics appears to play a role, and KP often occurs alongside dry skin or certain skin conditions.

Keratosis pilaris can occur at any age, although it’s particularly common in children and teenagers and may improve with age.

Does Dry Skin Cause Keratosis Pilaris?

Dry skin doesn’t necessarily cause KP, but it can make the bumps feel rougher and appear more noticeable.

That’s one reason many people notice their chicken skin worsening during colder, drier months.

Regular moisturizing can therefore be an important part of managing the condition.

How to Get Rid of Keratosis Pilaris

There currently isn’t a guaranteed permanent cure for keratosis pilaris.

However, you can often improve its appearance and texture with consistent skincare.

Here are some approaches that may help.

1. Moisturize Every Day

Regular moisturizing is one of the simplest ways to manage keratosis pilaris.

Apply a body lotion or cream after showering, ideally while your skin is still slightly damp.

Look for ingredients such as:

Ceramides
Glycerin
Urea
Lactic acid
Hyaluronic acid

A thicker cream may be particularly helpful if your skin is very dry.

2. Try Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps exfoliate the surface of the skin.

Body lotions containing lactic acid may help soften rough texture while removing excess dead skin cells.

This makes lactic acid for keratosis pilaris a commonly used option.

Start according to the product directions and reduce how often you use it if your skin becomes irritated.

3. Consider Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that helps exfoliate dead skin cells.

Body washes, creams, and lotions containing salicylic acid may help improve rough, clogged-looking follicles.

However, combining several exfoliating products at once can irritate your skin.

You don’t necessarily need salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid in the same routine.

4. Look for Urea

Urea for keratosis pilaris can be particularly useful because urea helps moisturize and soften rough skin.

Depending on its concentration and formulation, urea can also help loosen thickened dead skin.

Products contain different concentrations, so follow the directions provided with the product you’re using.

5. Consider Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is another AHA that exfoliates the surface of the skin.

It may help improve:

Rough texture
Uneven-looking skin
Dead skin buildup

However, glycolic acid can irritate sensitive skin.

Introduce it gradually rather than immediately applying it every day.

6. Avoid Aggressive Scrubbing

Because KP feels rough, you might assume that you need to scrub the bumps away.

That’s usually not a good strategy.

Aggressive physical exfoliation can cause:

Redness
Irritation
Dryness
Inflammation
Dark marks

Chemical exfoliants formulated for the body may provide a more controlled approach than repeatedly scrubbing the skin.

7. Take Shorter, Lukewarm Showers

Very hot water and long showers can strip moisture from the skin and worsen dryness.

Try using lukewarm water and keeping showers relatively short.

Afterward, gently pat your skin dry rather than aggressively rubbing it with a towel.

Then apply moisturizer.

8. Use a Gentle Body Cleanser

A strongly fragranced or harsh cleanser isn’t necessary for managing KP.

Choose a gentle body cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight or excessively dry.

Your cleanser also doesn’t need to contain an exfoliating acid if you’re already using an exfoliating leave-on treatment.

9. Don’t Pick the Bumps

Avoid squeezing, scratching, or picking at keratosis pilaris bumps.

Picking can damage your skin and may lead to:

Irritation
Scabs
Dark marks
Scarring

Instead, focus on gradually improving the texture with consistent skincare.

10. Protect Exposed Skin From the Sun

Keratosis pilaris itself isn’t caused by sun exposure.

However, irritation and inflammation can sometimes leave areas of discoloration, and sun exposure may make some dark marks more noticeable or persistent.

When affected areas are exposed outdoors, consider using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher along with other sun-protective measures.

Best Ingredients for Keratosis Pilaris

You don’t need every ingredient below.

Choosing one appropriate exfoliating treatment and a good moisturizer may be enough.

Lactic Acid

Helps exfoliate dead skin cells and may improve rough texture.

Salicylic Acid

Helps exfoliate and clear dead skin buildup around follicles.

Urea

Hydrates and softens rough skin and can have keratolytic effects at higher concentrations.

Glycolic Acid

Exfoliates the skin’s surface and may improve texture.

Ceramides

Help support the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.

Glycerin

A humectant that helps attract water to the skin.

Keratosis Pilaris on Arms

The upper arms are one of the most common places for KP.

If you have keratosis pilaris on your arms, try keeping your routine simple.

For example:

Shower → Gentle cleanser → KP treatment → Moisturizer

Your treatment could be a body lotion containing lactic acid, salicylic acid, or urea.

If the treatment itself is sufficiently moisturizing, you may not need a separate lotion.

Keratosis Pilaris on Legs

KP can also appear on the thighs and other areas of the legs.

Because hair follicles are involved, it can sometimes resemble strawberry legs.

However, they’re not exactly the same thing.

Keratosis Pilaris vs. Strawberry Legs

Keratosis pilaris is a specific skin condition involving keratin buildup around hair follicles.

Strawberry legs is an informal description of dark or red dots that resemble strawberry seeds.

Strawberry legs can be associated with:

Visible hair follicles
Shaving
Ingrown hairs
Clogged follicles
Folliculitis
Keratosis pilaris

This means KP can contribute to a strawberry-leg appearance, but not everyone with strawberry legs has KP.

If you also notice dark dots after shaving, read our guide on how to get rid of strawberry legs.

Keratosis Pilaris vs. Acne

Keratosis pilaris can sometimes be mistaken for body acne because both can produce small bumps.

But they’re different.

Acne involves clogged pores and can include:

Blackheads
Whiteheads
Inflamed pimples
Pustules
Nodules or cysts

KP typically produces many small, rough follicular bumps rather than typical acne lesions.

If you’re unsure what type of bumps you have, a dermatologist can provide a diagnosis.

Can You Permanently Get Rid of Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris can often be managed rather than permanently eliminated.

The bumps may improve with treatment but can return when treatment is stopped.

For some people, KP also becomes less noticeable with age.

Consistency is more important than aggressively treating the skin.

Can You Shave With Keratosis Pilaris?

Yes, but shaving can sometimes irritate already bumpy or sensitive skin.

If you shave areas affected by KP:

Wet and soften the hair first.
Apply shaving gel or cream.
Use a clean, sharp razor.
Avoid repeatedly shaving over the same area.
Rinse gently.
Apply moisturizer afterward.

If exfoliating acids sting after shaving, use them at a different time rather than immediately afterward.

Should You Exfoliate Keratosis Pilaris Every Day?

Not necessarily.

How often you should exfoliate depends on:

The ingredient
Product strength
Your skin sensitivity
Other products in your routine

Follow your product’s directions.

If your skin becomes red, sore, flaky, or uncomfortable, reduce your exfoliation frequency.

Using more acid won’t necessarily make KP disappear faster.

Simple Keratosis Pilaris Skincare Routine

You don’t need a complicated routine.

Morning

Step 1: Gentle shower or cleanse
Step 2: Moisturizing body lotion
Step 3: SPF 30+ on exposed areas

Evening

Step 1: Gentle cleanse
Step 2: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, urea, or another appropriate KP product
Step 3: Moisturizer if needed

You may not need an exfoliating treatment every night.

Start slowly and adjust according to how your skin responds.

What Not to Do With Keratosis Pilaris

Avoid trying to remove the bumps aggressively.

Don’t Pick or Squeeze

This can cause inflammation and dark marks.

Don’t Scrub Aggressively

KP isn’t dirt that needs to be scrubbed away.

Don’t Use Too Many Acids

Layering several exfoliating acids can damage your skin barrier.

Don’t Expect Overnight Results

Improving KP typically requires consistent skincare over time.

Don’t Use Harsh DIY Remedies

Ingredients such as undiluted lemon juice aren’t necessary and can irritate your skin.

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

Keratosis pilaris is usually harmless.

However, consider seeing a dermatologist if:

You’re unsure whether the bumps are KP.
Your skin is painful.
The bumps are severely inflamed.
You have significant itching.
There are signs of infection.
Over-the-counter skincare isn’t helping.
The appearance is bothering you and you’d like professional treatment options.

A dermatologist can also help distinguish KP from folliculitis, eczema, acne, or other skin conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes keratosis pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris develops when keratin accumulates and plugs hair follicles. Genetics may play a role, and the condition is often more noticeable when the skin is dry.

Is keratosis pilaris the same as chicken skin?

“Chicken skin” is a common nickname for keratosis pilaris because the condition can create many tiny, rough bumps.

Does salicylic acid help keratosis pilaris?

Salicylic acid can help exfoliate dead skin buildup and may improve the appearance and texture of KP for some people.

Is lactic acid good for keratosis pilaris?

Lactic acid can exfoliate rough surface skin and is commonly included in body lotions designed for rough or bumpy skin.

Does urea help keratosis pilaris?

Urea can help hydrate and soften rough skin. Depending on its concentration, it may also help loosen thickened dead skin.

Can keratosis pilaris go away?

KP may become less noticeable with age, but it can persist or return after treatment is stopped.

Is keratosis pilaris contagious?

No. Keratosis pilaris isn’t contagious.

Can I scrub keratosis pilaris away?

No. Aggressive scrubbing can irritate the skin and make redness or discoloration more noticeable.

Final Thoughts

Keratosis pilaris is extremely common and generally harmless, even though its rough “chicken skin” texture can be frustrating.

Instead of trying to scrub the bumps away, focus on a gentle and consistent body-care routine.

Regular moisturizing combined with carefully used ingredients such as lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or urea may help soften rough skin and improve the appearance of the bumps over time.

And if you’re unsure whether you actually have KP—or the bumps become painful, itchy, or inflamed—consider seeing a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.