Rough bumps? See if it’s KP
The “chicken skin” bumps. Answer 5 quick questions, get a sourced routine.
- 1Your bumps
- 2Result
- 3Routine
Where are the bumps?
How do the bumps feel?
Do they itch?
What color are they?
When are they worse?
A rule of thumb, not a diagnosis.
The 5-step check is a rule of thumb built from how these sources describe KP and its lookalikes (expert consensus); no study has tested it. A rule of thumb, not a diagnosis.
Your answers point to something other than KP. This routine is for KP: have a dermatologist look first.
The 5-step check is a rule of thumb built from how these sources describe KP and its lookalikes (expert consensus); no study has tested it · Educational, not a diagnosis · Last reviewed November 9, 2026
Keratosis pilaris (KP): what it is and what helps
Tiny rough bumps on your upper arms or thighs, like goosebumps that stay? Tap where they are and answer 4 questions to see if it looks like KP, then get a home routine built from dermatology sources.
What keratosis pilaris is
A plug of keratin, not a pimple
Dead skin cells and keratin, a hard protective protein, build up and plug hair follicles. Coiled hairs are often trapped inside the plugs. Nobody knows exactly why the keratin builds up, and KP isn’t contagious.
AAD: KP causesMayo Clinic: KPMedlinePlus: KPStatPearls 2023NHS: KP
Very common, and it runs in families
Between half and 80% of teenagers and about 40% of adults have it. Children and teens are most likely, women a bit more than men. It’s more likely if close relatives have it, or with eczema, dry skin, ichthyosis vulgaris, hay fever, asthma or excess weight.
Arms, thighs, buttocks
Teens and adults get it most on the upper arms, the front of the thighs and the buttocks; children on the cheeks too. It can spread to the forearms and lower legs, and appear anywhere except the palms and soles. In a 1994 study, 41% of people had it on the face.
Worse in winter
Dry air makes it more noticeable, and many people find it clears in summer and comes back in winter. In a 1994 study, about half said it got better in summer or worse in winter. Some people have the bumps all year.
Myth: KP can be cured
Treatment can’t cure it: it smooths the bumps while you keep going, and if you stop, they come back. In a survey of 251 dermatologists, over 60% saw KP return within 3 months of stopping. It often fades on its own, gradually over years: Mayo Clinic says it usually disappears by age 30. But in a 1994 study of 49 people, 35% had improved over time, 43% were unchanged and 22% had gotten worse.
AAD: KP treatmentMayo Clinic: KPMayo Clinic: KP treatmentMedlinePlus: KPGreenzaid 2023Natural history 1994
Types of KP
Classic KP
Rough bumps that can be skin-colored, white, red, pinkish purple on fair skin, or brownish-black on dark skin. On darker skin, irritation can leave dark marks, so go gently with strong products. Fading dark marks.
KP rubra
KP with much stronger redness, sometimes spread wider, most often on the outer cheeks and the upper arms and legs. A 27-patient series called it common but under-recognized; most treatments helped little or not at all. Pulsed dye laser or intense pulsed light can target redness.
KP atrophicans
An uncommon group where the bumps leave small scar-like dips. The facial form starts in infancy at the outer eyebrows and can spread to the forehead and cheeks; the eyebrow hair loss is permanent. It becomes less visible after puberty. This one needs a dermatologist.
DermNet: KP atrophicansWang & Orlow 2018Practical Dermatology review
KP or a lookalike?
Folliculitis
Inflamed or infected hair follicles: clusters of bumps around hairs, pus-filled blisters that crust over, and skin that can itch, burn or hurt. Shaving, waxing, tight clothes and poorly kept hot tubs can set it off.
Acne
Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and deep nodules or cysts that can hurt. Acne can appear on the back, chest, shoulders, upper arms and buttocks, where it gets mixed up with KP. Types of pimples · Blackheads.
Eczema
Atopic dermatitis starts with very itchy skin and dry, scaly patches, often in the elbow and knee creases in children with lighter skin. It also makes KP more likely, so the two often show up together.
Strawberry legs
A loose name for dark dots on the legs. Cleveland Clinic lists clogged pores, folliculitis, razor burn from shaving, and KP. A sharp razor with shaving cream, gentle exfoliation and moisturizer help; laser hair removal is an option.
What helps KP, and how sure we are
“Trial” means a randomized study in people with KP; “small study”, an open one with no comparison group; “expert advice”, dermatology sources recommend it without a KP trial we could find. Nothing on this list cures KP.
| What | Evidence | What the sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Thick moisturizerA cream or ointment, not a thin lotion | Expert advice | The first step for the AAD, Mayo Clinic and the NHS. The AAD suggests one with urea or lactic acid, on damp skin within 5 minutes of bathing, and again 2 to 3 times a day.AAD: KP self-careAAD: KP treatmentMayo Clinic: KP treatmentNHS: KP |
| Lactic acid 10%AHA cream or lotion | Trial | 66% fewer bumps after 12 weeks of twice-daily use, against 52% for 5% salicylic acid, in a randomized trial of 50 people (one arm each, no placebo). Dermatologists’ most-used first choice in a 2023 survey (44%). Use sunscreen with AHAs.Kootiratrakarn 2015Greenzaid 2023FDA: AHAs |
| Ammonium lactate 12%Prescription lotion | Expert advice | It’s 12% lactic acid. Cleveland Clinic lists ammonium lactate moisturizers for KP; the FDA label covers dry, scaly skin and ichthyosis vulgaris, not KP by name.Cleveland Clinic: KPAmmonium lactate label |
| Urea 20%Cream | Small study | Smoother skin at weeks 1 and 4 with once-daily use in an open study of 30 adults, with no comparison group and three authors from the cream’s maker. StatPearls also lists 20% urea cream.McCormick 2024StatPearls 2023 |
| Salicylic acid 5–6%BHA cream or lotion | Trial | 52% fewer bumps at 12 weeks with 5% cream in the trial above. The 6% lotion is prescription: its label lists KP but warns against long use over large areas, especially in children, and it’s not for under age 2. Salicylic acid guide.Kootiratrakarn 2015Salicylic acid 6% labelStatPearls 2023 |
| Glycolic acidAHA, at home or as an office peel | Expert advice | On the AAD’s list. Dermatologists also use 70% glycolic peels in the office; in one small peel study cited by a 2023 paper, bumps were back where they started 5 years later. Glycolic acid guide.AAD: KP self-careStatPearls 2023Greenzaid 2023 |
| RetinoidsAdapalene, retinol, tretinoin, tazarotene | Trial | On the AAD’s list. Tazarotene 0.05% beat a placebo cream in a small randomized trial (33 people). They can irritate and dry the skin; if you’re pregnant or nursing, your provider may suggest waiting. Adapalene · Tretinoin.AAD: KP treatmentPractical Dermatology reviewMayo Clinic: KP treatment |
| Steroid creamsPrescription, short courses | Mixed | The AAD, DermNet and MedlinePlus list them for redness or itch. Two cohort studies found them not useful for KP itself.AAD: KP treatmentDermNet: KPMedlinePlus: KPPractical Dermatology review |
| Lasers and lightIn a dermatologist’s office | In-office | The best-supported KP treatment in a 2022 review of 47 studies, especially the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Pulsed dye laser and intense pulsed light target redness. Insurance coverage and equipment limit their use.Maghfour 2022DermNet: KPGreenzaid 2023 |
| ScrubsGrainy scrubs, hard loofah pressure | Avoid | Scrubbing irritates skin and can make KP worse. DermNet suggests an exfoliating sponge or scrub; we side with the gentler advice: a washcloth, lightly.AAD: KP self-careNHS: KPMayo Clinic: KP treatmentCleveland Clinic: KPDermNet: KP |
| Picking, squeezingPulling the plugs out | Avoid | Can scar or get infected, and removing the plugs irritates the skin and can make KP worse.Cleveland Clinic: KPMayo Clinic: KP treatmentNHS: KP |
| Self-tannerLotions and sprays | Avoid | Tends to make the bumps more noticeable.AAD: KP self-care |
Using two exfoliants? Check the pair
Lactic or glycolic acid with salicylic acid, or an acid with a retinoid, can be too much at once. See which pairs can share a routine.
Go deeper
One face scan. Your whole routine, sorted.
This page answered your question. MySkincare starts from your own skin, and the products you already use.
- 1Scan your face3 photos: front, left profile, right profile.
- 2See your skin scoreFree6 zones scored separately: forehead, eye area, T-zone, both cheeks, chin.
- 3Scan your productsIt reads each ingredient list and says: keep it, watch it or replace it.
- 4Follow your routineMorning and night, checked so your products work together. With reminders.
Questions people ask
What is keratosis pilaris?
A common, harmless skin condition: tiny rough bumps that are plugs of dead skin cells and keratin in hair follicles. People call it “chicken skin” or KP because it looks like goosebumps that don’t go away. It isn’t contagious.
Does keratosis pilaris go away?
Often, but slowly, and not for everyone. The AAD says it goes away with time for many people, gradually over many years, and that there’s no way to know who will clear. Mayo Clinic says it usually disappears by age 30. In a 1994 study of 49 people, 35% had improved, 43% were unchanged and 22% were worse.
What is the best treatment for keratosis pilaris?
There’s no single best one: the AAD says some people try a few before one works. For home care, the best-tested option is lactic acid: in a 50-person trial, 10% lactic acid cream cut bumps by 66% in 12 weeks, and it’s dermatologists’ most common first choice. Lasers have the strongest support in a 2022 review of 47 studies, but they’re done in an office.
What’s the best moisturizer for keratosis pilaris?
A thick cream or ointment rather than a lotion, ideally with urea or lactic acid, says the AAD. Put it on damp skin within 5 minutes of a bath or shower, and again 2 to 3 times a day. Mayo Clinic also suggests moisturizers with lanolin, petroleum jelly or glycerin.
Should I scrub keratosis pilaris?
No. Scrubbing irritates skin and can make KP worse, and picking can scar. Gentle exfoliation is fine: a washcloth or loofah with light pressure. Exfoliating moisturizers with lactic acid, salicylic acid or urea do the smoothing.
Can you get keratosis pilaris on your face?
Yes. In children it often shows up on the cheeks, and in a 1994 study 41% of people had it on the face, where it’s easy to mistake for acne. Very red bumps on the outer cheeks may be KP rubra. Red bumps that start at the outer eyebrows in a young child can be a rare scarring type: see a dermatologist.
Is keratosis pilaris itchy?
It can be. The AAD and the NHS list itch as a possible symptom, while Mayo Clinic says the bumps usually don’t itch. A creamy moisturizer soothes itch and dryness, and a dermatologist can prescribe a short course of steroid cream. Intense itch with a red, scaly rash points more to eczema.
What causes keratosis pilaris? Is it contagious?
Keratin builds up and plugs hair follicles; nobody knows exactly why. It runs in families, and it’s more common with eczema, dry skin, asthma or hay fever. It isn’t contagious, and Cleveland Clinic says no research shows that gluten intolerance causes it.
Are strawberry legs the same as keratosis pilaris?
Not exactly. “Strawberry legs” is an informal name for dark dots on the legs, and KP is one possible cause, along with clogged pores, folliculitis and razor burn. Shaving and waxing can make KP worse; the AAD says laser hair removal may help avoid flare-ups.
What does keratosis pilaris look like on Black skin?
The bumps often look brownish-black, or darker than the skin around them, rather than red. They can also be skin-colored or white. Go gently: on darker skin, irritation can leave dark marks.
Can babies and children get keratosis pilaris?
Yes. It usually starts in childhood, and children often have it on the cheeks, upper arms and thighs. Mayo Clinic says the acids in KP creams can sting and aren’t recommended for young children, and prescription 6% salicylic acid isn’t for children under 2. Ask a pediatrician or dermatologist before using an exfoliating cream on a child.
Does glycolic acid help keratosis pilaris?
It’s on the AAD’s list of exfoliating ingredients for KP, along with lactic acid, salicylic acid, urea and retinoids. We found no trial of home glycolic acid products for KP. Like other AHAs, it makes sunburn more likely, so use sunscreen while you use it and for a week after.
When should I see a dermatologist for KP?
If the bumps bother you and don’t get better with lotions you buy without a prescription, or show no change after 4 to 6 weeks of steady care. See a doctor sooner for bumps that hurt, fill with pus or spread, and get care right away with fever or chills.
Sources
- The 5-step check is a rule of thumb built from how these sources describe KP and its lookalikes (expert consensus); no study has tested it
- Educational, not a diagnosis
American Academy of Dermatologyaad.org
- Keratosis pilaris, overview
Tiny rough bumps that are plugs of dead skin cells; look like goosebumps or plucked chicken skin; often mistaken for small pimples; many people clear in summer and flare in winter; you don’t have to treat it.
- Keratosis pilaris, signs and symptoms
Children: upper arms, front of thighs, cheeks; teens and adults: upper arms, front of thighs, buttocks; can spread to forearms and lower legs; anywhere except palms and soles; rough like sandpaper; skin-colored, white, red, pinkish purple on fair skin, brownish black on dark skin; may itch; more noticeable in winter or dry climates.
- Keratosis pilaris, who gets and causes
Dead skin cells clog hair follicles; children and teens most likely; all ages and races; women a bit more likely; more likely with close relatives who have it, eczema, dry skin, ichthyosis vulgaris, hay fever, asthma or excess weight; not contagious.
- Keratosis pilaris, diagnosis and treatment
Treatment is optional and cannot cure KP; moisturizers with urea or lactic acid 2–3 times a day; gentle exfoliation; keratolytics including retinoids (adapalene, retinol, tazarotene, tretinoin); corticosteroids and lasers for some; tell your dermatologist if no improvement after 4–6 weeks; maintenance such as twice a week; often goes away gradually over many years.
- Keratosis pilaris, self-care
Gentle exfoliation, no scrubbing; keratolytics (AHA, glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid, retinoid, urea) used as directed, stop a few days if raw; thick cream or ointment with urea or lactic acid on damp skin within 5 minutes of bathing; short warm baths; mild cleanser; shaving or waxing can worsen bumps, laser hair removal may avoid flares; skip self-tanner; humidifier.
- Retinoid or retinol?
Use retinoids at night because they make skin more sensitive to the sun; protect skin by day; start every other night and build up slowly; irritation can trigger dark marks on darker skin.
- Folliculitis
Looks like a sudden acne breakout; can itch or hurt; caused by shaving, plucking or waxing, tight clothing, poorly kept hot tubs; anywhere except palms and soles; a dermatologist can confirm it.
- Atopic dermatitis, signs and symptoms
Starts with very itchy skin, “the itch that rashes”; dry, scaly areas; elbow and knee creases in many children; face in babies; hands in adults.
- Acne, signs and symptoms
Acne appears as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, nodules or cysts, and can show up on the back, chest, neck, shoulders, upper arms and buttocks.
Mayo Clinicmayoclinic.org
- Keratosis pilaris, symptoms and causes
Harmless; buildup of keratin; upper arms, thighs, cheeks or buttocks; sandpaper-like bumps that usually don’t hurt or itch; worse with low humidity; runs in families; usually disappears by age 30; can’t be cured or prevented.
- Keratosis pilaris, diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosed by looking; creams with AHA, lactic acid, salicylic acid or urea; acids can sting and aren’t recommended for young children; retinoids can irritate, may be delayed in pregnancy or nursing; returns if you stop; baths about 10 minutes, warm water; gentle washcloth, no vigorous scrubbing or plug removal; moisturizer on damp skin; humidifier; avoid friction from tight clothes.
- Folliculitis, symptoms and causes
Inflamed hair follicles, often infected; clusters of bumps around follicles, pus-filled blisters that crust, painful tender skin; shaving, waxing, tight clothes, hot tubs, sweat-trapping clothing; see a doctor if not better in a week or two; urgent care for spreading redness, pain, fever or chills.
Cleveland Clinicclevelandclinic.org
- Keratosis pilaris
Benign bumps of excess keratin; about 50–80% of teens and 40% of adults; runs in families; red, brown, white or skin-colored; worse in dry winter air; improvement within 4–6 weeks of treatment, which is temporary; don’t scrub or pick (scarring, infection); usually fades by about 30; not contagious; can’t be prevented.
- Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials: Strawberry legs (dermatologist Matthew Janik, MD, 2022)
“Strawberry legs” is an informal name for several conditions: clogged pores, folliculitis, razor burn from shaving, and KP (technically different); shave with a sharp razor and shaving cream, exfoliate, moisturize; laser hair removal; see a dermatologist if unsure.
DermNetdermnetnz.org
- Keratosis pilaris
Keratin in hair follicles; 50–70% of teens and 40% of adults; linked with atopic eczema and ichthyosis; prominent in winter; no cure but often clears in adult life; lookalikes include folliculitis and atopic dermatitis; moisturizers with urea, salicylic or lactic acid; topical retinoids; short steroid courses for itch; pulsed dye laser or IPL for redness.
- Keratosis pilaris atrophicans faciei
An uncommon form of KP with scar-like follicular dips; starts in infancy on the outer eyebrows, can spread to forehead and cheeks; eyebrow hair loss is permanent; less visible after puberty; no cure.
DailyMed, US National Library of Medicinedailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- Ammonium lactate lotion 12%: FDA label (DailyMed)
12% lactic acid neutralized with ammonium hydroxide; indicated for dry, scaly skin and ichthyosis vulgaris; twice daily; minimize sun on treated skin; may sting on cracked or abraded skin.
- Salicylic acid 6% lotion: prescription label (DailyMed)
Prescription; lists keratosis pilaris; not found by FDA to be safe and effective (unapproved drug); salicylism with prolonged use over large areas, especially in children; limit the area under 12; not under age 2; apply at night, wash off in the morning.
US Food and Drug Administrationfda.gov
- Alpha hydroxy acids
Glycolic and lactic acid are the most common AHAs; they can increase sun sensitivity and sunburn; use sunscreen while using them and for a week afterwards.
- Beta hydroxy acids
Salicylic acid is the BHA most used in cosmetics; use sun protection if you use a BHA product.
NHSnhs.uk
- Keratosis pilaris
Very common, harmless; arms, thighs, bottom; red on white skin, darker on brown or black skin; sometimes itchy; better in summer, worse in winter; lasts years and may clear; mild unperfumed soaps, gentle washcloth, cool or lukewarm showers; no harsh scrubs, no scratching, picking or rubbing; runs in families; not infectious.
MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicinemedlineplus.gov
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Keratosis pilaris
Keratin forms hard plugs in hair follicles; bumps like goose bumps on the back of the upper arms and thighs, rough like sandpaper, the size of a grain of sand; slight pinkness; on the face may be mistaken for acne; improvement often takes months and bumps likely return if you stop; may fade with age; see a provider if OTC lotions don’t help.
Studies and other sources
- Pennycook KB, McCready TA. Keratosis Pilaris. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), updated 2023ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Keratin plug in the follicle opening; coiled hairs in the bumps; 50–80% of teens, 40% of adults; salicylic acid lotion 6% or urea cream 20% improve texture; 70% glycolic acid peels in the office; no cure; chronic.
- Kootiratrakarn T, Kampirapap K, Chunhasewee C. Epidermal permeability barrier in the treatment of keratosis pilaris. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2015 (PMC)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Randomized split-arm trial, 50 people: 10% lactic acid vs 5% salicylic acid cream twice a day for 12 weeks; fewer bumps 41%/34% at week 4, 56%/45% at week 8, 66%/52% at week 12; mild burning or itching. No placebo arm.
- McCormick E, Nussbaum D, Friedman A, et al. Evaluation of a moisturizing cream with 20% urea for keratosis pilaris. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2024jddonline.com
Open-label study, 30 adults, 20% urea cream once a day for 4 weeks: smoother skin at weeks 1 and 4, no significant side effects; no comparison group; three authors work for the cream’s maker.
- Greenzaid J, Nussbaum D, Friedman A. Keratosis pilaris: treatment practices of board-certified dermatologists. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023jddonline.com
Survey of 251 dermatologists: lactic acid was the most used first-line treatment (44%), salicylic acid second (21%); over 60% saw KP return within 3 months of stopping; lasers limited by insurance and equipment; cites a peel study where bumps were back at 5 years.
- Lio PA, Kim LS, Mikailov A. Keratosis pilaris: a rough and bumpy review. Practical Dermatology, 2021practicaldermatology.com
Tazarotene 0.05% beat placebo in a randomized trial of 33 people; tazarotene 0.01% nightly in an open study; topical steroids not useful in two cohort studies; salicylic acid 2% in urea 20% regimen; KP rubra and atrophicans as variants.
- Maghfour J, et al. Treatment of keratosis pilaris and its variants: a systematic review. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022 (abstract, DOAJ)doaj.org
47 studies included; lasers (especially Q-switched Nd:YAG) are the best-supported treatment; some topicals also improved KP; outcome measures varied.
- Wang JF, Orlow SJ. Keratosis pilaris and its subtypes. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018 (abstract)link.springer.com
Subtypes include KP rubra, erythromelanosis follicularis faciei et colli and the KP atrophicans spectrum; causes and treatments are poorly understood and good data are lacking.
- Marqueling AL, Gilliam AE, Prendiville J, et al. Keratosis pilaris rubra: a common but underrecognized condition. Archives of Dermatology, 2006 (abstract only)cris.bgu.ac.il
27 patients: KP with more marked redness, sometimes more widespread, most often on the outer cheeks and upper arms and legs; minimal or no improvement with most treatments; “relatively common but uncommonly reported.”
- Poskitt L, Wilkinson JD. Natural history of keratosis pilaris. British Journal of Dermatology, 1994 (PubMed abstract)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Questionnaire study, 49 people: 35% improved over time, 43% unchanged, 22% worse; about half better in summer or worse in winter; arms 92%, legs 59%, face 41%, buttocks 30%; 39% had a family history.