Let’s talk about KP (aka keratosis pilaris/chicken skin/strawberry skin). Whatever you call it, if you’ve dealt with it, you know how annoying those little red bumps are.
KP occurs when there is a buildup of keratin in the skin. It’s basically a clogged pore, so if you're acne-prone like me, you’ll probably find that a lot of the same logic applies.
One of the most helpful things I’ve found to help is regular exfoliation, and my go-to for years has been the First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser. But here’s the trick I use that makes it way more effective: Apply it to dry skin before you even get in the shower.
I know that’s going a bit off-label, but hear me out. I’ll smooth it over my arms and let it sit for a few minutes while I brush my teeth, do a quick face massage, or do some pushups (idk, it’s a phase). Letting it sit gives the acids time to start working before you even start scrubbing. Then hop in the shower, gently scrub, and rinse. When I do this 2–3 times a week, it makes a huge difference in my skin texture.
Once I’m out of the shower, I follow with a super lightweight, non-comedogenic body lotion. Right now, I’m loving the one from The Inkey List. It sinks in quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy film.
Quick PSA: Be careful with body products marketed for KP that contain shea butter (booo). I know it’s moisturizing, but shea is comedogenic, and KP is already a clogged pore. Even The Inkey List and Skinfix offer versions with shea butter, so always read the ingredients carefully.
Also, if you have tattoos, regular exfoliation (once they're fully healed!) can actually help keep the colors vibrant. I always get compliments on how bright my red tattoo looks, and I really think it’s because I’ve been exfoliating that area consistently for the past two years.
And finally, a random but important note: if you’ve started taking a biotin supplement and suddenly noticed KP flaring up, that might be why. Biotin works by increasing keratin production…which, if you’re prone to clogged pores, can backfire.
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