What is Keratosis Pilaris?

Ever spotted rough and bumpy skin on your arms, thighs, or face? Almost 50% of the UK experience Keratosis Pilaris (or chicken skin as it is most commonly referred to) – a harmless and widespread skin condition. But what is the cause, and how can we act to prevent it?

The Causes

Most cases of Keratosis Pilaris are thought to be genetic, so you may find that other family members have the same condition to varying degrees. It can also be made worse by low humidity and can peak during adolescence. Scientists believe that it’s caused by an over-production of the protein keratin and a build-up of dead skin cells, which create small red bumps and bumpy patches on the skin's surface.

What Can You Do to Improve The Appearance of Your Skin?

Tackling the build-up of keratin on the skin is one way of managing Keratosis Pilaris. Cleansing is very important, yet we must hydrate the skin as well as increasing skin-cell turnover. CeraVe’s SA Smoothing Cleanser is a lightly foaming gel that gently smooths and exfoliates dry, rough and bumpy skin – perfect for skin prone to Keratosis Pilaris. It’s formulated with 3 essential ceramides (1, 3 and 6-II) to protect the skin’s natural barrier and salicylic acid, a liquid exfoliant that gently smooths the skin. The cleanser also contains hyaluronic acid, a hydrating humectant that attracts and retains the skin’s natural moisture.

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CeraVe Cerave SA Skin Smoothing Cleanser with Salicylic Acid 236ml £9.65

Lock in extra moisture after showering, using a body moisturiser such as the CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream. This gentle cream works alongside the SA Smoothing Cleanser, containing salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin and urea to retain the skin’s moisture. It’s also formulated with 3 essential ceramides and makes use of MultiVesicular Emulsion Technology (MVE) – a slow-release delivery mechanism releasing hydrating ingredients, layer by layer, for up to 24 hours.

CeraVe CeraVe SA Smoothing Moisturiser Cream Salicylic Acid 177ml £10.32

Management and Prevention

Sadly, there there’s no known cure for Keratosis Pilaris. However, it can be managed with regular but gentle exfoliation and cleansing. Both the redness and dryness can be reduced by showering and bathing in lukewarm water rather than hot water, which dries out the skin and can worsen the condition. Additionally, using humidifiers and keeping the central heating on a low setting can also help.

What to Avoid

It’s important to remember that Keratosis Pilaris can’t be scrubbed away with physical exfoliants or cleansing tools. This will simply irritate the surface of the skin, and the damage could worsen the condition. Instead, use cleansers such as the CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser that treat the condition gently with liquid exfoliants and repair the skin barrier with essential ceramides.