Keratosis Pilaris Treatment - Creams For Chicken Skin


     BY: LIV CHRISTINE

What Causes Keratosis Pilaris Outbreaks?


Keratosis pilaris, also called follicular keratosis or chicken skin is a hereditary skin condition caused by an over production of keratin. The excess keratin forms a plug on the surface of the skin which blocks the hair follicle. Keratosis pilaris can lead to an inflammation within the hair follicles, characterized by small red bumps on the surface of the skin. It typically appear on the upper arms, cheeks and legs. Keratosis pilaris is not a form of eczema nor is it itchy or painful. It is not caused by candida. Don't feel bad about having keratosis pilaris, it is extremely common and can be minimized with my exfoliation routine below.  

Keratosis pilaris is not contagious or dangerous. There is no cure but it can be managed with topical creams like amlactin and exfoliation. Keeping the skin moisturized can help minimize the appearance of keratosis pilaris. The best treatment for Keratosis pilaris is topical application of either urea, sulfur, retin a, salicylic acid, glycolic acid and physical exfoliation with a Korean Italy towel or Japanese Salux cloth. Some people might see improvements by avoiding gluten and changing their diet.

Guide to Getting Rid of Keratosis Plaris or Chicken Skin

 

Step 1: Physical exfoliation

First, take a long warm shower or bath (around 15-20 minutes, when your skin is starting to prune). For extra effect wash your skin with a Zinc or sulfur soap. Pat dry your skin quickly with a regular towel and wet a Korean Italy towel or salux cloth with warm water making it damp but not soaked. Stay in the shower or bathroom. The hot steam from the shower will help dissolve the top layer of skin even more.

Next, start scrubbing the areas where you have keratosis pilaris with the salux cloth in circular and back and forth motions. Experiment with what works best for you. You should see a lot of dead skin rolling off. If you don’t see much skin shedding off try taking a even hotter or longer shower/bath next time. Be careful though and use common sense. Make sure not to over exfoliate with the salux cloth as it leads to irritation. 

Step 2: Chemical exfoliation

After you have exfoliated with the Italy towel, apply a topical acid peel or lotion to the areas with keratosis pilaris. I currently use 7% glycolic acid by The Ordinary, but you can also use lactic acid or salicylic acid. Don’t go too high with the % and make sure it is meant to be left on the skin and self neutralizing (where you don’t have to use a neutralizing solution afterwards).

Step 3: Moisturize

Wait a minute or two to let the lotion sink in, then apply a thick moisturizing cream with urea such as Avene Akerat. You should apply a moisturizing cream daily to keep the skin healthy and soft. After the cream has soaked in get dressed as usual.

Daily care:

You can repeat the above routine one to three times a week if your skin can tolerate it. Start out once a week and build from there. Make sure to use sun screen when you go in the sun as some chemical exfoliators make your skin more photo sensitive (sensitive to the sun). Make sure to spot test new skincare products before you use them and check the ingredients if you have allergies.


The Best Products to Treat Keratosis Pilaris

 

Korean Italy towel

These Korean Italy towels or salux cloths are like magic. They are small abrasive cloths which physically exfoliate the skin. They are made to fit your hand as a sort of glove. They shrink when they become wet so you need to stretch them out after use. Korean Italy towels are much more effective than body scrubs and can be reused several times. They are made of 100% viscose rayon. Make sure to get genuine korea made cloths, as the china made ones are less abrasive.  
>> Click to Buy on Amazon

Best Keratosis Pilaris Lotions

 

AmLactin 12 % Moisturizing Lotion

AmLactin 12 % Moisturizing Lotion has great reviews and recommendations on Reddit for treating keratosis pilaris.  It has 12% lactic acid (AHA) which is a chemical exfoliant. It has a pH of 4.5 to 5.5  and provides hydration and exfoliation. It doesn’t have a smell but some reviewers mention they can smell ammonia. Some say it feels a little greasy but that it can be avoided by thoroughly massaging the lotion into your skin.  

Ingredients. Water, Ammonium Lactate, Mineral Oil, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Laureth-4, Peg 40 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben and Methylcellulose.

Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion with 12% AHA

Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion with 12% AHA contains 12% glycolic acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane. It has a pH of 4. It doesn’t contain fragrance or parabens. The lotion is quite thick but absorbs quickly. As is contains a chemical exfoliant it will make your skin photosensitive so remember to wear sunscreen. It can be used all over the body even on places without KP, to make the skin more radiant and smooth.  

Ingredients: Water, Petrolatum, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Ammonium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Mineral Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Lanolin Alcohol, Peg-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Idopropynyl Butylcarbamate.

CeraVe Renewing SA Cream

CeraVe Renewing SA Cream contains salicylic acid and ceramides. This is another cream that I found recommended on Reddit.com. It is fragrance free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and non-irritating. >> Click to Buy on Amazon

Ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol, Mineral Oil, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Ammonium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Triethanolamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3 in Corn Oil), Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-11, Ceramide 1, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Edetate Disodium, Propylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum.


Creams With Urea



Avene Akerat, Smoothing Exfoliating Cream


Avene Akerat, Smoothing Exfoliating Cream contains 10% urea, 1.5% salicylic acid and 1% lactic acid. It provides gentle exfoliation and hydration to smooth rough and bumpy skin. It is specially formulated to help treat keratosis pilaris. It is fragrance free, paraben free and non-comedogenic. The cream is a little more pricy than some of the other brands but it is widely available in most of the world making it easy to acquire if you live outside the us. >> Click to Buy on Amazon

Ingredients: Avène Thermal Spring Water (47%) - Soothes and softens, Urea (10%) - Promotes hydration and retains moisture, Salycylic acid (1.5%) - Removes thick, flaky skin, Lactic acid (1%) - Minimizes rough, hardened skin Other Ingredients: Water/Eau(Aqua), Mineral Oil/Huile Minerale (Paraffinum Liquidum), Propylene Glycol, Urea, Triethanolamine, Methyl Glucose, Sesquisterate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil (Prunus Dulcis), Salicylic Acid, Carbomer, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol Ethylene Brassylate, Tocopheryl Acetate.


Udderly Smooth Extra Care Cream 20% Urea


Udderly smooth extra care cream has 20% urea. I saw it mentioned on Reddit and the reviews on amazon looks promising. It’s meant to be used all over the body. Reviewers mention it being thick and moisturising. It is fragrance free and quite budget friendly. It was apparently originally a cream meant for cows udders, hence the name. 
 >> Click to Buy on Amazon

Ingredients: Water, Urea, Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Peg-2 Stearate, Isopropyl, Dimethicone, Mineral Oil, Lanolin Oil, Triethanolamine, Allantoin,  Methylparaben, Propylparaben

PurSources Urea 40% Foot Cream


I was looking for a cream with a high percentage of urea and came across this cream by PurSources Foot Cream with 40% urea. It is a foot and elbow cream but might be good as a spot treatment for the patch of extremely persistent keratosis pilaris  I have on my ankle that I’ve never been able to get rid of. It should not be used all over the body. It’s a very thick cream that stay on your skin for hours so it best before bed. It contains parabens which are preservatives. The research on the safety of parabens is conflicting. Acording to Paula Begoun also known as the cosmetics cop and for creating paulas chouce skincare the critique is largely exaggerated and based on poor methodology. If you are concerned with parabens I would forgo this cream.   

Ingredients: 40% Urea, Deionized Water, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Emulsifying Wax, Glycerine, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG 100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, C12/15 Alkyl Benzoate, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben.



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