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Perfectly harmless but infinitely annoying, keratosis pilaris, or KP, plagues many of our limbs and stomachs, dotting them with raised red spots that seem to never go away. “I’m not sure when it happened, but it felt like I woke up one day, and the bumps were all over my upper arms. When I ran my hands over them, I was shocked by how rough they felt and wondered if there was a simple cure out there,” says ELLE associate beauty e-commerce writer Carol Lee. The condition has been affectionately (or not so affectionately) nicknamed “strawberry skin” and “chicken skin” because it resembles the bumpy surface of a strawberry or plucked fowl. Many folks out there accept their fate and live with it, but there’s hope yet for those of us who wish to take up the fight against KP. An army of products exist on Amazon that can help eliminate—or at least reduce—keratosis pilaris.
If your strawberry skin has made you feel alone, it turns out that over 50 percent of the population share the same woe, says Dallas-based dermatologist Elizabeth Houshmand. “It’s a frustrating condition where keratin protein builds up around hair follicles and results in bumpy and rough patches of skin,” she explains. “The reason for the buildup of keratin is unknown, but often occurs alongside other skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema,” she adds.
But two major steps can eradicate KP: “Gentle exfoliation can be helpful, along with moisturizing the skin,” Houshmand says. The key word here is gentle. If you use an exfoliator that’s too harsh or scrub at your skin too often, you can wreak havoc on your moisture barrier and worsen things. We tried a few KP-eliminating products ourselves, consulted a dermatologist, and scrolled through thousands of Amazon reviews to locate the nine best products for KP, including body scrubs, body exfoliators, and body creams. Keep reading, and you’ll be that much closer to smoother, calmer, and more hydrated skin.
Pros
Vegan and cruelty-free- Only needed 1-2 times a week
Cons
- May make you more sensitive to the sun
- Some don't like the smell
Skincare TikTok is obsessed with this exfoliator for a reason. With glycolic and lactic acid, the scrub acts as both a physical and chemical exfoliator to make KP a thing of the past.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, pumice buffing beads
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Honestly, I use this scrub all over my body, whether there’s KP there or not. The product is genuinely one of the best body exfoliators I’ve ever used. I often get compliments on how soft my skin is, and my arms and legs are especially smooth to the touch when I’m consistent with the KP Bump Eraser. ” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
Pros
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Some dislike scent
Lactic acid is on the gentler side in terms of chemical exfoliators, but it works hard in this formula to loosen dead skin cells and get rid of those pesky bumps associated with strawberry skin. The cream is so rich that you can use it as your moisturizer, or you can follow up with a body cream or lotion if you need more hydration. Just make sure to apply it to dry skin because if your skin is still a little wet or damp, the formula can be difficult to spread.
Key ingredient: Lactic acid
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “The tube may be small, but I only needed a little to see results. Because my KP only exists on my upper arms, I applied a pea-sized amount to each arm after every shower and before applying my regular body moisturizer. Within just a few days, my arms felt smoother, and I saw that some of the more irritated spots had calmed down. I personally love how thick it is—even though the formula is exfoliating my skin, I don’t feel like I’m stripping it of moisture.” —Carol Lee
Pros
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Exfoliates and hydrates simultaneously
Cons
- May make you more sensitive to the sun
- Must be used daily
Who said you can't exfoliate and hydrate at the same time? This super-thick shea body butter does it all; 10 percent AHA wipes away any signs of KP, while squalane and shea butter keep the skin supple and glowing.
Key ingredients: AHA, squalane, shea butter
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Bought KP butter. It’s super high quality. Thick, moisturizing, great for dry skin. My son has eczema on his hands and it cleared it up fast. I want several tubes around the house and in my purse for easy access. The smell on the KP butter one is different, but not at all unpleasant.”
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Pros
- Three fragrance options
- Great lather
Cons
- Pricey
This super sudsy in-shower treatment comes in three different scents (bergamot, eucalyptus, and fragrance-free) for an uber luxurious shower treatment. It's packed with AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs to rejuvenate the skin.
Key ingredients: Charcoal bamboo, volcanic pumice, AHA, BHA, PHA
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator has a great list of exfoliating properties. The pumice and charcoal provide a nice soft physical exfoliation without scratching or being too rough on the skin. The chemical exfoliates are very mild and are not so harsh as to damage or irritate the skin.”
Pros
- Soothes while exfoliating
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May be drying
This lightweight lotion contains salicylic acid to unclog pores. Gentle enough for most skin types, it also contains soothing ingredients like chamomile and green tea to reduce redness and discomfort.
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, vitamin E, chamomile
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I just tried this cream for the first time, and my arms are almost completely smooth after one use! My keratosis pilaris has been getting worse lately, but my usual exfoliation treatment wasn't helping as much as it used to. My arms are smooth for the first time in years and now I can stop wasting money on treatments that don't work. Very happy customer!!”
Pros
- Helps fight ingrowns and razor burn
- Super lightweight
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- May leave behind scent
Known for working wonders on ingrown hairs, this water-like liquid helps clogged follicles clear up in no time. A thin layer post-shower or hair removal is all you need.
Key ingredients: Acetylsalicylic acid, glycerin
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have a sensitive skin and thick hair, and keratosis pilaris on top of that. My thighs and underarms used to look like a battlefield after shaving (I have to shave, since I'm trying at home IPL), that is, until I discovered this product. I've tried glycolic acid, medicinal ointments, fur oil, you name it. Nothing. Then I started using this product and it didn't seem to make a difference, but since I've decided to give 2 weeks to every product before discarding it, I've waited and I AM SO GLAD I DID. I use it 3x, instead of 2, on a clean dry skin. I has improved my condition so much! It does dry the skin, but people, there has to me something. Just moisturize heavily and you will be fine.”
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Pros
- 48 hour hydration
- Affordable
Cons
- Leaves greasy residue
Exfoliation is key to keeping KP at bay, but don't skip moisturizer. After showering, use this rich cream that's packed with soothing urea to protect and gently reduce any clogged skin.
Key ingredient: Urea
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have tried hundreds of body lotions and none ever compared to this one. I am 58-years-old and have used body lotions (upon my mother's advice) since I was 15 years old. When I was young, most lotions did fine. As I aged, fewer and fewer were helpful. After age 50, I started trying expensive luxury creams and dermatologist endorsed brands, but none were working more than 6 hours a day—even with the regular exfoliating I do. I have no idea why I decided to try Eucerin (with 10% urea); I am so glad I did. It makes my skin feel moisturized and bouncy over 24 hours. Scaly and crepey skin is gone. I don't know how many years this will help my aging skin, but I have never found any other lotion or cream that comes close.”
Pros
- Tropical scent
Cons
- Can be difficult to layer with other products
Not only does this exfoliating body serum soften the skin and unclog follicles on the body, but it also imparts a healthy glow, giving your complexion a subtle radiance from the neck down.
Key ingredients: Lactic acid, xylitol, shea butter
Dermstore rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “I use this on my upper arms for keratosis pilaris (KP), and it is the only product that has truly kept my KP under control. I’ve tried different lotions and washes, but I have always come back to this.”
9
Best Acne-Fighting Formula
EVERCLEARNOW Microdermabrasion Keratosis Pilaris & Acne Exfoliating Deep Cleansing Scrub Soap
Pros
- Great citrus scent
- Also fights body acne
Cons
- Some found too abrasive
This in-shower treatment has super-fine pieces of sodium palmate and magnesium oxide to gently treat ingrown hairs, keratosis pilaris, scarring, and acne. Plus, it smells like citrus to provide a pleasant sensorial experience.
Key ingredients: Sodium palmate, magniusm oxide exfoliants
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Body acne and scars and more...This stuff has made it all disappear and is smoothing out my skin. brightening it up and healing it, too. Wish I had this my whole life! Buy it!”
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Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with skin experts to find the best products for treating KP or strawberry skin. The authors personally tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.
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