Struggling with keratosis pilaris can be quite frustrating. But the good news is that you don’t have to live with those pesky ingrowths and bumpy skin all your life! These body best washes for keratosis pilaris will work well with the consistent and conscious efforts that you make towards the treatment. It's time to treat your chicken skin and show off your newfound body-positive attitude. Dr. Andrea Suarez rightly says in relation to KP, “It’s a chronic condition. You really just have to be aware of environmental triggers and any products in your skincare routine that are overly drying can aggravate it.” 

To treat this condition, trends on Instagram and Tiktok are head-over-heels about body washes infused with physical and chemical exfoliants. When discussing the benefits of the same for KP, our contributor Dr. Anna Chacon, who is a certified dermatologist at MyPsoriasisTeam, said, “When it comes to managing keratosis pilaris (KP), both physical exfoliants like scrubs and chemical exfoliants can be effective. Physical exfoliants work by manually removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This can help reduce the buildup of keratin that leads to KP”. 

She continues by saying, “Chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, such work by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to shed more easily. This can help prevent the clogging of hair follicles that contributes to KP. One of the main benefits of chemical exfoliants is that they can provide more uniform exfoliation than physical scrubs, and they often have additional benefits like improving skin hydration (in the case of AHAs) or reducing inflammation (in the case of BHAs).” Depending on how grave the KP on your skin is and how often you intend to use these body washes, you can look for either of these exfoliants in your product. 

For people who are new to exfoliation, this can seem quite overwhelming. 

But don’t worry as we've scoured the internet and found the best body washes for keratosis pilaris that are formulated to make your skin smooth and flawless with its gentle exfoliation, leaving you feeling confident, comfortable and most importantly, beautiful! Scroll away to see our top picks.

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  Best for Nourishment

  Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash

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The Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash is a godsend for those suffering from frequent itches and irritation due to keratosis pilaris. This natural body wash is one of the best kp treatments that you’ll find as its formula is enriched with a triple oat blend — highly effective in soothing pruritic skin. The nourishing body wash is like a protective guide for your body, as the oat oil helps to maintain a natural moisture barrier on the skin. And for those who are a little extra sensitive in the shower (and life), this keratosis pilaris body wash is allergy-tested and is free of fragrances, parabens, dyes and soaps.

Quick Tip

Ditch the loofahs and body scrubs here and apply the body wash directly on the skin. Lather it well on damp skin and massage it in circular motions for maximum benefits.

2

Best for Itchy Skin

CeraVe SA Body Wash for Rough And Bumpy Skin

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This dermatologically-tested body wash works like a miracle on chicken skin. You can employ the power of salicylic acid to give your skin a gentle exfoliation and retexturize bumpy skin (1). It also contains CeraVe’s all-time favorite three ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) that are known to help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier. We can go on and on about how the hyaluronic acid present in this wondrous body wash for keratosis pilaris helps make the skin calm down and diminish redness and itches (2).

3

Best for Sensitive Skin

CeraVe Psoriasis Cleanser

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For those looking to soothe skin bumps, should instantly right swipe CeraVe Psoriasis Cleanser to their cart. This kp body wash is formulated with salicylic acid, niacinamide and lactic acid, which means no more scaling or red skin (1, 2, 3). Developed with the supervision of dermatologists, this formula is strengthened by ceramides that play an important role in moisturizing the skin by restoring its protective lipid barrier. We cannot deny that it's like a luxurious Christmas present for those with extra sensitive skin as it is unscented and paraben-free.

4

Best for Inflammation

touch kp exfoliating body wash

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Smooth and healthy-looking skin is on its way, thanks to Touch Keratosis Pilaris Exfoliating Body Wash. This cruelty-free body wash is suitable for all skin types, especially for those who are looking for an effective keratosis pilaris treatment. It is formulated with 15% glycolic acid, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, which works as a warrior on the battlefield to protect your skin from losing elasticity and firmness (2, 4). With the added goodness of Vitamin E, this keratosis pilaris self-care potion prevents your skin from over-drying and mollycoddles it after the exfoliation process.

5

Best with Natural Ingredients

Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Soap

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To treat skin problems like keratosis pilaris, this botanical soap by Mario Badescu takes the approach to invigorate your skin first. The formula consists of refreshing fruit extracts like grapefruit and ginseng — perfect to indulge your senses and make you excited about every shower! It harnesses the properties of glycolic acid, which helps exfoliate the skin intensely, thereby relieving the pores of trapped ingrown hair. Additionally, it helps even out your skin texture by eliminating dead skin cells. While we don’t recommend using this product every day, using it about once a week can be very fruitful in reducing the appearance of chicken skin.

Quick Tip

Use this exfoliating body wash 3 times a week. The glycolic acid might react and the best way to gain benefits is to use it at intervals.

6

Best for Physical Exfoliation

GLYTONE Exfoliating Body Wash

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This exfoliating body wash by GLYTONE is a match made in heaven for you to smoothen the appearance of strawberry skin. Its nourishing and oil-free formula will gently exfoliate the skin and smooth out its texture. KP treatment couldn’t have been easier than with this fragrance-free body wash, as it leverages the goodness of glycolic acid that exfoliates dead skin cells and reduces pesky bumps. All we can say is that your next date will be as smooth as your skin with this dermatologically-tested remedy for keratosis pilaris.

Quick Tip

Pour the exfoliating body wash on your loofah, form lather using water, and then rub it gently on your entire body to get rid of dead skin cells and rejuvenate your skin.

7

Best for Pore Cleansing

ReTone Exfoliating Cleanser

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Welcome healthy and anti-inflammatory skin as the ReTone Exfoliating Cleanser has just the right amount of glycolic acid (7.5%), which means no bad odors and dryness. The exfoliating body wash for kp will help remove the overgrown dead skin cells (keratin plugs) and soften the top layer of skin. Not only will it smooth the upper layer of the skin but also clear inflamed, clogged skin pores— thanks to the holy grail for exfoliation i.e. glycolic acid, which is a healing component to treat straw.

8

Best for Body Acne

MISUMI BLEMISH CLEAR BODY WASH

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The Misumi Body Wash is one of the best keratosis pilaris medications that provide gentle exfoliation. Its scientifically-tested formula is made of fantastic chemical exfoliants such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid alongside the goodness of lavender oil, which helps remove impurities, scarring, redness, and swelling, and excess oil on the skin (5). To boost these benefits it also retexturizes the skin and unclogs blocked pores with its powerful formula backed by natural ingredients such as sugarcane and pineapple. Don’t worry about the formula being too harsh as it is gentle enough for daily use and suitable for both men and women.

9

Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA

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The Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA, infused with active ingredients like 2% salicylic acid (BHA), vitamin E, chamomile, and green tea extracts, is a great kp treatment that works wonders on all skin types — dry, combination, normal, oily, as well as sensitive. It not only smoothens your skin’s texture but also nourishes it, revealing noticeably softer, bump-free skin. What’s more? It gently exfoliates your skin, removing dead skin cells and removing stubborn clogged pores, making it a must-have for KP-prone skin. Plus, it doesn't cause breakouts and helps in reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

10

Vigority KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub

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The glycolic acid-infused Vigority KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub is a game-changer for people with keratosis pilaris. It gently exfoliates your skin, working as a quality strawberry legs and razor bump treatment. Besides, it's safe for use on bikini areas and contains powerful ingredients that further provide you with the softer, shinier, and smoother skin of your dreams. Adding to that, it is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and suitable for all skin types. It also deeply hydrates and moisturizes your skin, reducing any inflammation and even signs of early aging. Well, what more can you ask for?

11

Naeli KP Body Wash

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This natural body wash by Naeli crafted from sandalwood and rose hydrates and brightens your skin like no other treatment, revealing smoother, softer skin. It also contains 14% glycolic acid, 1.5% salicylic acid & .2% lactic acid, making it a complete strawberry leg treatment for women, men, as well as children. What’s more? It deeply moisturizes your skin and works like an anti-aging treatment, reducing the appearance of blemishes, wrinkles, and more aging signs. The best part? The pH-balanced product is non-comedogenic, vegan, dye-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free.

Now that we have an overview of the list of the best body washes for keratosis pilaris, let us move on to its shopping and usage guide.

1. Check the Key Ingredients

The key to managing keratosis pilaris, in the long run, is to use gentle exfoliating ingredients in your body wash. You cannot miss out on BHA and AHAs like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid as they will help you get rid of excess dead skin cells and trapped keratin, thereby freeing the trapped hair follicles in your skin and treating ingrown hair problems. 

To soothe your skin from the exfoliation effects, look for natural ingredients such as calendula, centella asiatica, licorice root extracts, aloe vera, green tea extract, etc to reduce inflammation and reduce redness. Lastly, to mollycoddle your skin, look for effective ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, allantoin, niacinamide, glycerin, etc. to replenish your skin’s barrier.

2. Avoid Chemicals And Harsh Fragrances

Stay away from body washes with harsh ingredients such as SLS, phthalates, mineral oil, denatured alcohol, etc. to protect your skin barrier. Strong fragrances are a no-no for scent-sensitive folks or those with allergies. However, if you are someone who wants to make their shower luxurious and indulge their senses, then a body with a mild, soothing fragrance goes a long way. Lastly, avoid physical exfoliants if possible as they can be a bit abrasive on your skin. 

3. Check the Pricing

Choose a body wash that suits your budget and preferences, as you don’t want to regret breaking the bank for your next purchase.

4. Check with Your Dermatologist

Talk to your dermatologist to get recommendations on the best body wash for your specific case of keratosis pilaris, and inform him or her about the skincare products you are using.

Now that you have understood the buying guide to pick the best body wash for keratosis pilaris, it is time to go through its usage.

Using a  body wash for keratosis pilaris can be an effective way to improve the appearance of skin bumps and improve the overall appearance of the skin. Here are some steps to follow when using a body wash for keratosis pilaris:

Step 1: Dampen your skin with lukewarm water.

Step 2: Take a small amount of body wash to your palms or a loofah.

Step 3: Gently massage the body wash onto the affected areas of your skin for 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Rinse off the body wash with warm water.

Step 5: Pat your skin dry with a towel.

Step 6: Follow up with a keratosis pilaris moisturizer to help hydrate and soothe your skin.

Further, Chacon adds “As far as the time to see results from using a KP body wash is concerned, it can vary greatly depending on the individual's skin condition, the severity of their KP, the specific product used, and their overall skincare routine. On average, users might start to see some improvements in the smoothness and appearance of their skin after consistent use for a few weeks. However, for more noticeable or significant results, it may take up to 1-2 months of regular use.”

Lastly, don't leave your skin high and dry! Follow up with a moisturizer to keep it hydrated and happy. But, be gentle with it, some body washes can be tough on sensitive skin. Start with a small amount and work your way up slowly, giving your skin the chance to absorb it. And, just like all wise people always say, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and avoid using the body wash on inflamed or irritated skin. 

How to Get Rid of Keratosis Pilaris?

Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin-related condition that causes rough patches and small, acne-like bumps on the skin. While there is no cure for the condition, moisturizing regularly, gently exfoliating, and using creams with ingredients like urea or alpha-hydroxy acids is the key. You can also speak with your dermatologist for laser treatments if needed.

Contributor: Dr. Anna Chacon, Dermatologist - MyPsoriasisTeam

Pro Tip

Those with dry skin must opt for a creamy cleanser to ensure the keratosis pilaris doesn't get aggravated. Use tepid water and damp hands to massage it into your skin.